Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
In this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast, we speak with Dr. Robert “Bobby” McGehee about the impact of two decades of health research through the Arkansas Biosciences Institute.
publications
Arkansas has a dental coverage gap that disproportionately affects people over 65. This explainer explores what dental coverage is available for seniors, the extent to which coverage gaps affect older Arkansans, and what policy options could potentially address these challenges.
The average benchmark premium on the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace jumped nearly 69% this year. This increase, however, reflects in part a strategy by Arkansas insurers to mitigate the impact of the expiration of enhanced tax credits that had helped reduce the cost of health insurance premiums.
Doulas are professionals trained in childbirth who provide emotional, physical, and other supports to pregnant or recently pregnant women. This updated explainer examines their role in the birthing journey.
Blog Posts
Arkansas has made significant investments to strengthen its primary care physician workforce over the past decade, but access to primary care remains a challenge for many Arkansans. A new report from the Milbank Memorial Fund shows that nearly 1 in 5 Arkansans do not have a usual source of care.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers among both men and women in Arkansas, but it’s also one of the most survivable with regular screening and early detection. Unfortunately, the American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer incidence rates among U.S. adults under age 50 are rising, yet only 37% of adults ages 45 to 49 have been screened for the disease.
The “Food Is Medicine” movement is an approach to health care that seeks to improve patients’ health through nutrition. ACHI Director of Research Antonije Lazic shares his notes on a study that evaluated the effects of a Food Is Medicine program on healthcare utilization and costs in Massachusetts.
Podcast by ACHI
The research that helps drive health improvement and strong policy advancements in Arkansas doesn’t take place in a vacuum. It needs people committed to that work, the resources to fuel it, and the infrastructure to pull it all together and keep it moving forward. Just over 20 years ago, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) was established as an agricultural and medical research consortium dedicated to improving the health of Arkansans. It is also one of the most prolific users of data in the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative, which ACHI administers on behalf of the Arkansas Insurance Department. To learn more about ABI and the roles data and research play in Arkansas, we’re joined on this episode of the Wonks at Work podcast by Dr. Robert “Bobby” McGehee, who recently retired after two decades at the institute’s helm.
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Health Policy Board Policy Positions and Statements
ACHI’s Health Policy Board consists of 21 voting members (and two ex-officio members) from across the state who bring diverse perspectives and interests on health. This independent, self-perpetuating board identifies and establishes strategic priorities, provides direction and guidance, and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas. The Health Policy Board guides ACHI’s involvement in and position on specific policy matters, and it issues position statements that articulate the health needs of Arkansans.