Basics Blogs
With chronic diseases impacting millions and costing Americans trillions of dollars annually, it’s important to understand this widespread public health issue. So: What is chronic disease? SHADAC explains and explores chronic disease data by state, subpopulation, and more in our latest blog.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth use has exploded. But what is telehealth? And what is telehealth vs telemedicine vs telecare? We explain the differences in this blog, along with discussion of the history of telehealth and the impact of COVID-19.
What is the American Community Survey? Our latest blog walks readers through a brief history of the ACS, including a basic explanation of how the ACS operates, information on ACS data collection, and how ACS data is used by researchers and policymakers.
As a complement to our Survey Data Finder, this blog provides very brief, one- or two-paragraph summaries of each of the surveys included, to help users of the tool to better understand the main focus and specifics that may make them particularly well-suited to certain uses in comparison to other… Read more
What are MOUD? In this blog, we explore Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, reviewing a definition for OUD, a list of currently approved MOUD, how these medications work, and current barriers for their access and use.
In this blog, SHADAC experts answer: what are opioids? This blog provides a review of common opioids, explaining how their chemistry and how they work in the body are foundational to the evolution of the opioid crisis.
What are health insurance premiums? What is a deductible? SHADAC reviews these and other common health insurance terms in this blog.
What Is a “Countercyclical” Policy or Program? How Medicaid Protects People When the Economy Falters
Countercyclical policy or programs (like Medicaid) have government spending increase during economic downturns and decrease during economic growth. This protects access to health care coverage - learn how in this blog.
This Basics Blog explores health care costs and affordability by defining key terms and summarizing how some of the most recent state-level household surveys are asking health care consumers about these topics.
What are pre-existing conditions? Pre existing conditions could once lead to automatic denial of insurance coverage. Learn more in SHADAC's latest Basics Blog.