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Thom B, Friedman DN, Aviki EM, Benedict C, Watson SE, Zeitler MS, Chino F. The long-term financial experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 2023; 17:1813-1823. [PMID: 36472761 PMCID: PMC9734817 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01280-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-related financial hardship can negatively impact financial well-being and may prevent adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (ages 15-39) from gaining financial independence. This analysis explored the financial experiences following diagnosis with cancer among AYA survivors. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous survey of a national sample of AYAs recruited online. The Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) and InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale (IFDFW) assessed financial hardship (cancer-related and general, respectively), and respondents reported related financial consequences and financial coping behaviors (both medical and non-medical). RESULTS Two hundred sixty-seven AYA survivors completed the survey (mean 8.3 years from diagnosis). Financial hardship was high: mean COST score was 13.7 (moderate-to-severe financial toxicity); mean IFDFW score was 4.3 (high financial stress). Financial consequences included post-cancer credit score decrease (44%), debt collection contact (39%), spending more than 10% of income on medical expenses (39%), and lacking money for basic necessities (23%). Financial coping behaviors included taking money from savings (55%), taking on credit card debt (45%), putting off major purchases (45%), and borrowing money (42%). In logistic regression models, general financial distress was associated with increased odds of experiencing financial consequences and engaging in both medical- and non-medical-related financial coping behaviors. DISCUSSION AYA survivors face long-term financial hardship after cancer treatment, which impacts multiple domains, including their use of healthcare and their personal finances. Interventions are needed to provide AYAs with tools to navigate financial aspects of the healthcare system; connect them with resources; and create systems-level solutions to address healthcare affordability. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Survivorship care providers, particularly those who interact with AYA survivors, must be attuned to the unique risk for financial hardships facing this population and make efforts to increase access available interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Thom
- Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Danielle N Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emeline M Aviki
- Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine Benedict
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Fumiko Chino
- Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Thom B, Arora N, Benedict C, Aviki EM, Chino F, Friedman DN, Watson SE, Zeitler MS. Using Real-World Data to Explore the Impact of One-Time Financial Grants Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2023; 12:912-917. [PMID: 37852000 PMCID: PMC10739788 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2022.0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Young adult (YA) cancer survivors experience worse financial outcomes than older survivors. This analysis used data from Expect Miracles Foundation to explore the impact of one-time financial grants on financial well-being and access to health care. Among 300 respondents, the average grant was $1526 (standard deviation = $587; range $300-$3000). Respondents reported improved ability to pay expenses (t = 4.45, p < 0.001), increased financial decision-making power (t = 2.79, p = 0.06), decreased medical debt impact (t = 2.1, p = 0.04), improved transportation access (t = 2.38, p = 0.02), and fewer challenges in accessing care (t = 3.0, p = 0.005) 6 months after receiving a financial grant. Financial assistance offers YAs an opportunity to meet medical and nonmedical expenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Thom
- Thom, Aviki, Friedman, Chino: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Neha Arora
- Texas A&M School of Medicine, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Catherine Benedict
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Emeline M. Aviki
- Thom, Aviki, Friedman, Chino: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fumiko Chino
- Thom, Aviki, Friedman, Chino: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Danielle N. Friedman
- Thom, Aviki, Friedman, Chino: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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Wu VS, Benedict C, Friedman DN, Watson SE, Anglade E, Zeitler MS, Chino F, Thom B. Do discussions of financial burdens decrease long-term financial toxicity in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors? Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:434. [PMID: 37395811 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07822-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to evaluate the associations between patient-provider cost discussions with patient-reported out-of-pocket (OOP) spending and long-term financial toxicity (FT) among adolescent and young adult (AYA; 15-39 years old) cancer survivors. METHODS Using a cross-sectional survey, we assessed the themes and quality of patient discussions with providers about financial needs and general survivorship preparation, quantified patients' levels of FT, and evaluated patient-reported OOP spending. We determined the association between cancer treatment cost discussion and FT using multivariable analysis. In a subset of survivors (n = 18), we conducted qualitative interviews and used thematic analysis to characterize responses. RESULTS Two hundred forty-seven AYA survivors completed the survey at a mean of 7 years post treatment and with a median COST score of 13. 70% of AYA survivors did not recall having any cost discussion about their cancer treatment with a provider. Having any cost discussion with a provider was associated with decreased FT (β = 3.00; p = 0.02) but not associated with reduced OOP spending (χ2 = 3.77; p = 0.44). In a second adjusted model, with OOP spending included as a covariate, OOP spending was a significant predictor of FT (β = - 1.40; p = 0.002). Key qualitative themes included survivors' frustration about the lack of communication related to financial issues throughout treatment and in survivorship, feeling unprepared, and reluctance to seek help. CONCLUSION AYA patients are not fully informed about the costs of cancer care and FT; the dearth of cost discussions between patients and providers may represent a missed opportunity to reduce costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S Wu
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Catherine Benedict
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Danielle N Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Fumiko Chino
- Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bridgette Thom
- Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Hooper AS, Kille P, Watson SE, Christofides SR, Perkins RG. The importance of nutrient ratios in determining elevations in geosmin synthase (geoA) and 2-MIB cyclase (mic) resulting in taste and odour events. Water Res 2023; 232:119693. [PMID: 36764104 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Geosmin synthase (geoA) and 2-MIB cyclase (mic) are key biosynthetic genes responsible for the production of taste and odour (T&O) compounds, geosmin and 2-MIB. These T&O compounds are becoming an increasing global problem for drinking water supplies. It is thought that geosmin and 2-MIB may be linked to, or exacerbated by, a variety of different environmental and nutrient triggers. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies to date have evaluated the combined effects of seasonality, temperature, and nutrient concentrations on geoA and mic copy numbers in conjunction with T&O concentrations. In this study, environmental triggers behind geosmin and 2-MIB production were investigated in nine reservoirs across Wales, U.K. between July 2019 - August 2020. The abundance of geoA and mic were quantified through quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Temporal changes in geoA and geosmin concentrations revealed geoA to be an indicator of monthly geosmin concentrations, although only when geosmin concentrations exceeded 100 ng L-1. Model analysis of a reservoir with elevated geosmin concentrations revealed geoA to be significantly associated with mean temperature (p < 0.001) and the nutrients dissolved reactive silicate (p < 0.001), dissolved iron (p < 0.001), total inorganic nitrogen to phosphorous ratio (TIN:TP) (p < 0.001) and ammonium to nitrate ratio (NH4+:NO3-) (p < 0.001). Sulphate also demonstrated a significant positive linear relationship with geoA (p < 0.001). For mic analysis, NH4+:NO3- was significantly associated with mic (p < 0.05) and an association with dissolved reactive silicate was also observed (p = 0.084). Within this study we also report extreme variance in gene copy numbers between the study seasons. No consistent relationship could be determined for mic copy numbers mL-1 and 2-MIB (ng L-1). The findings from this study indicate that TIN:TP and NH4+:NO3- serve as good predictors for elevated geoA and mic, along with negative linear relationships observed for mean temperature and dissolved reactive silicate. Overall, our findings demonstrate the importance of nutrient concentrations, nutrient ratios and temperature for evidence based predictive capacity of taste and odour events in drinking water reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Hooper
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK; School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - P Kille
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - S E Watson
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK; School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - S R Christofides
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - R G Perkins
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK; School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AT, UK.
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Ghazal LV, Watson SE, Gentry B, Santacroce SJ. "Both a life saver and totally shameful": young adult cancer survivors' perceptions of medical crowdfunding. J Cancer Surviv 2023; 17:332-341. [PMID: 35169983 PMCID: PMC9378759 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01188-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Young adults (YAs) diagnosed with cancer face high financial burden at a time in their lives when they are financially vulnerable. Some turn to medical crowdfunding, that is, using social media and other means to raise funds or resources to offset medical and usual life expenses. Major research gaps exist regarding the experiences of those who pursued crowdfunding. Thus, the study purpose was to describe the perceptions of, and experiences with, medical crowdfunding among a sample of YA cancer survivors. METHODS In February 2021, we distributed an online survey to YAs with a history of a cancer diagnosis, who had received grants from an organization that offers financial assistance. We calculated descriptive statistics on the crowdfunding sample and employed thematic analysis to analyze the open-ended questions. RESULTS In this sample (N = 113), 46 YA cancer survivors had engaged in medical crowdfunding and shared their perceptions and experiences. Our central theme, "The Crowdfunding Compromise" captures the trade-offs participants faced, which included subthemes of "crowdfunding as useful/helpful," "factors associated with crowdfunding success," and "questioning the why?". CONCLUSIONS Among YA cancer survivors, medical crowdfunding brings shame and stigma in addition to financial support. YA cancer survivors demonstrate resilience in their attempts to find individual solutions to financial problems created by unchecked health care costs, the US health insurance infrastructure, and lack of legislation. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS This study fills an important gap in understanding individual-level crowdfunding experiences. Implications include system-level approaches to addressing cancer-related financial burden and potential worsening of existing disparities through medical crowdfunding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V Ghazal
- Center for Improving Patient and Population Health, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Ann, Arbor, MI, USA.
| | | | | | - Sheila J Santacroce
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Thom B, Benedict C, Friedman DN, Watson SE, Zeitler MS, Chino F. Economic distress, financial toxicity, and medical cost-coping in young adult cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from an online sample. Cancer 2021; 127:4481-4491. [PMID: 34351638 PMCID: PMC8426858 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Young adult (YA) cancer survivors are at risk for financial toxicity during and after cancer treatment. Financial toxicity has been associated with medical‐related cost‐coping behaviors such as skipping or delaying treatment. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has resulted in dire economic consequences that may worsen financial hardship among young survivors. Methods This was a cross‐sectional survey; data collection occurred online. A convenience sample was recruited through YA cancer advocacy groups and social media. Negative economic events associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic (eg, income loss, increased debt, and decreased job security) and medical‐related cost‐coping were documented. A validated measure assessed cancer‐related financial toxicity. Results Participants (N = 212) had a mean age of 35.3 years at survey completion and a mean age of 27.4 years at diagnosis. Financial toxicity (mean, 14.0; SD, 9.33) was high. Two‐thirds of the sample experienced at least 1 negative economic event during COVID‐19, and 71% engaged in at least 1 medical cost‐coping behavior. Cost‐coping and pandemic‐related negative economic events were significantly correlated with cancer‐related financial toxicity. In multivariable analyses, pandemic‐related negative economic events and financial toxicity were associated with cost‐coping. Conclusions Acute negative economic events associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic may exacerbate cancer‐related financial toxicity and overall financial hardship among YAs and lead to cost‐coping behaviors that can compromise survivorship care and health outcomes. Multilevel, systematic interventions are needed to address the financial needs of YA survivors after the global pandemic. This study illustrates how the acute negative economic events associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may have exacerbated existing cancer‐related financial toxicity and general financial hardship among young adult cancer survivors. These negative economic events and financial toxicity are associated with cost‐coping behaviors that can compromise survivorship care and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Thom
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Catherine Benedict
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Danielle N Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Fumiko Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Landwehr MS, Watson SE, Dolphin-Krute M. Healthcare costs and access for young adult cancer survivors: a snapshot post ACA. Am J Manag Care 2018; 24:SP440-SP441. [PMID: 30260616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
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Landwehr MS, Watson SE, Macpherson CF, Novak KA, Johnson RH. The cost of cancer: a retrospective analysis of the financial impact of cancer on young adults. Cancer Med 2016; 5:863-70. [PMID: 26853096 PMCID: PMC4864815 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Young adult cancer survivors (YAs) are confronted with immense financial challenges in the wake of their treatment. Medical bills and loss of savings may cause YAs to forgo recommended medications or follow‐up appointments. Young survivors with financial concerns also report depression, stress and anxiety. The Samfund is a national nonprofit organization that provides financial support to YAs post‐treatment. To quantify the financial burden of cancer in YAs, a retrospective analysis was performed of data collected from Samfund grant applications of 334 YA cancer survivors. Grants were awarded between 2007 and 2013 and grant recipients were consented electronically in 2014 for retrospective data analysis. Recipients ranged from 19 to 39 years of age at the time of their grant applications. Descriptive statistics were calculated and compared to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and U.S. census data on age‐matched peers. Financial indicators of YA cancer survivors are worse in many domains than those of age‐matched controls. Furthermore, YA survivors in their 30s report more perilous prefunding financial situations than younger grant recipients. Cancer has a devastating and age‐specific impact on the finances of YAs. Philanthropic grants from the cancer support community, in conjunction with healthcare policy reforms, have the potential to break the cycle of financial need and help YAs move forward with their lives after cancer treatment.
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Abstract
We report the results of four experiments that were conducted to examine both the representations that provide candidate entities available for object-based attentional selection and the influence of bottom-up factors (i.e., geometric and surface characteristics of objects) and top-down factors (i.e., context and expectancies) on the selection process. Subjects performed the same task in each of the experiments. They were asked to determine whether two target properties, a bent end and an open end of a wrench, appeared in a brief display of two wrenches. In each experiment, the target properties could occur on a single wrench or one property could occur on each of two wrenches. The question of central interest was whether a same-object effect (faster and/or more accurate performance when the target properties appeared on one vs. two wrenches) would be observed in different experimental conditions. Several interesting results were obtained. First, depending on the geometric (i.e., concave discontinuities on object contours) and surface characteristics (i.e., homogeneous regions of color and texture) of the stimuli, attention was preferentially directed to one of three representational levels, as indicated by the presence or absence of the same-object effect. Second, although geometric and surface characteristics defined the candidate objects available for attentional selection, top-down factors were quite influential in determining which representational level would be selected. Third, the results suggest that uniform connectedness plays an important role in defining the entities available for attention selection. These results are discussed in terms of the manner in which attention selects objects in the visual environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Watson
- Armstrong Laboratory, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas 78235-5352, USA.
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Kramer AF, Weber TA, Watson SE. Object-based attentional selection--grouped arrays or spatially invariant representations?: comment on vecera and Farah (1994). J Exp Psychol Gen 1997. [PMID: 9090141 DOI: 10.1037//0096-3445.126.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
S. P. Vecera and M. J. Farah (1994) have addressed the issue of whether visual attention selects objects or locations. They obtained data that they interpreted as evidence for attentional selection of objects from an internal spatially invariant representation. A. F. Kramer, T. A. Weber, and S. E. Watson question this interpretation on both theoretical and empirical grounds. First, the authors suggest that there are other interpretations of the Vecera and Farah data that are consistent with location-mediated selection of objects. Second, they provide data, using the displays employed by Vecera and Farah in conjunction with a postdisplay probe technique, that suggests that attention is directed to the locations of the target objects. The implications of the results for space and object-based attentional selection are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Kramer
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 61801, USA
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Kramer AF, Weber TA, Watson SE. Object-based attentional selection--grouped arrays or spatially invariant representations?: comment on vecera and Farah (1994). J Exp Psychol Gen 1997; 126:3-13. [PMID: 9090141 DOI: 10.1037/0096-3445.126.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
S. P. Vecera and M. J. Farah (1994) have addressed the issue of whether visual attention selects objects or locations. They obtained data that they interpreted as evidence for attentional selection of objects from an internal spatially invariant representation. A. F. Kramer, T. A. Weber, and S. E. Watson question this interpretation on both theoretical and empirical grounds. First, the authors suggest that there are other interpretations of the Vecera and Farah data that are consistent with location-mediated selection of objects. Second, they provide data, using the displays employed by Vecera and Farah in conjunction with a postdisplay probe technique, that suggests that attention is directed to the locations of the target objects. The implications of the results for space and object-based attentional selection are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Kramer
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 61801, USA
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Lieu TA, Watson SE, Washington AE. The cost-effectiveness of prenatal carrier screening for cystic fibrosis. Obstet Gynecol 1994; 84:903-12. [PMID: 7970468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the economic consequences of routinely offering cystic fibrosis-carrier screening to pregnant white women under 35 years of age. METHODS Decision analysis was used to evaluate the health outcomes and medical costs of a screening program from the health care payer's perspective. Probabilities were taken from the literature; cost data were based on consultations with laboratory and hospital administrators. Sensitivity analysis was performed for key assumptions. RESULTS If the test acceptance rate were 78% and the screening test identified 85% of carriers, a prenatal cystic fibrosis-carrier screening program would identify slightly more than half of the high-risk pregnancies in the population. For a cohort of one million pregnant women, it would cost $83 million. If the proportion of couples choosing abortion were 30% and the lifetime cost of medical care for cystic fibrosis were $243,650, the program would save $12 million in averted costs of medical care for cystic fibrosis, for a net cost of $71 million. Even after accounting for the savings in averted medical care for cystic fibrosis, the cost per high-risk pregnancy identified would be $82,000; the cost per unwanted cystic fibrosis birth averted would be $1.4 million. Results were sensitive to the cost and sensitivity of the screening test, but relatively insensitive to the test acceptance rate and therapeutic abortion rates between 50-100% among pregnancies identified with cystic fibrosis. CONCLUSION A prenatal cystic fibrosis-carrier screening program would not save the health care payer money under most assumptions, but may be justified if the benefit of the early information provided to expectant parents is judged worth the cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Lieu
- Division of Research, Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, California
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Reece RL, Watson SE. The value of 'weighbands' for the estimation of bodyweight of cattle. Aust Vet J 1978; 54:504. [PMID: 743051 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1978.tb00312.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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