Health
How Incentives Can Drive Positive Health Outcomes
The use of financial incentives to change health-related behaviors is becoming increasingly common. However, the results of incentive schemes in the past have been mixed.
One reason may be that the underlying psychology behind incentive programs still needs to be fully understood. For example, a lottery-based financial incentive scheme can encourage people to attend eye screening appointments but only increases vaccination rates if the incentive is immediate.
Motivate Patients
Incentives are often a key driver for improving patient behaviors and healthcare outcomes. Patients may be offered incentives to sign up for a wellness program or participate in a vaccination campaign. Employers may provide employees with cash rewards to encourage healthy eating and exercise. Many ‘know your HIV’ programs in developing countries offer incentives to ensure people pick up their results.
Payment per achievement, in the form of payments to physicians for performing certain procedures or achieving certain quality metrics, is one method healthcare systems use to motivate providers to deliver value-based care.
But how much do these incentives work? Studies have shown that incentives’ effectiveness depends on the reward behavior and subtle design details, such as how an incentive is delivered or framed. Using behavioral science to drive these programs could yield better results and cost savings. For example, one controlled study found that a targeted, micro-incentive approach generated eight dollars in cost savings for every dollar spent on the program.
Encourage Adherence
Incentives can be used to encourage people to stick with their health goals. This can be done through various approaches, including price signals such as sin taxes or subsidies and commitment devices such as public contracts where individuals agree to change their behavior for a set period in return for additional benefits.
Several studies have reported that incentives informed by behavioral economics can improve adherence. However, these incentives have rarely been tested among youth living with HIV despite the high need for enhanced compliance.
One study implementing an incentive-based model to increase adherence reported that the program improved viral load suppression outcomes. The study also included several complementary measures, such as regular client-centered adherence meetings, monthly adherence audits, and feedback reports. Incentive magnitudes vary widely across studies, with payments ranging from annual provider income. However, most studies need to report detailed information regarding the amount of incentives and how they are paid.
Encourage Routine Check-Ups
Incentives are one route to encouraging routine check-ups and other trends, such as value-driven purchasing, patient-centered care and clinical performance management. But it’s important to consider how incentives are framed and designed. Using price signals to encourage health behaviors can be successful; for example, increasing the cost of tobacco and alcohol has been shown to reduce consumption.
However, introducing rewards can also backfire. For example, freebies like doughnuts or movie tickets can discourage people from getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Incentives can be offered to individuals, groups of providers or even entire health systems. They can be tied to individual, group, or network performance markers or even at the practice or integrated delivery system level. The size of these incentives varies widely, and their frequency can be monthly, quarterly or annually. Moreover, linking incentives to health outcomes or measures can be demotivating because improvements tend to plateau over time. Instead, focusing on measurable improvements in quality or cost may be more effective.
Encourage Self-Care
Incentives are often viewed as encouraging healthy behavior and reducing overall healthcare costs. However, supporters and critics disagree on whether incentives are appropriate and effective. Supporters generally believe that people should be encouraged where possible into behaviors that promote improved health outcomes and that appropriately targeted incentive schemes can provide a form of symmetric or libertarian paternalism that steers people toward better choices without necessarily limiting what those choices are.
For example, one study randomly assigned participants to receive0 cash incentive for visiting their primary care provider (PCP) after enrolling in a community-based primary care program. These low-income patients were newly eligible for free or low-cost health insurance because the state had not relaxed its stringent Medicaid eligibility requirements.
The researchers found that a small financial incentive increased the number of first-time visits relative to the non-incentivized group. They also found that incentives framed as gains were more effective than those framed as losses.
Discover the benefits of parsley for Health.
Parsley is one of the most popular herbs in the kitchen, as it brings a touch of color and flavor to meals. Of Mediterranean origin, parsley has managed to transcend borders until it is present in all corners of the world.
It is rich in calcium, folic acid, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K. If you want to know all the benefits that parsley has, you just have to keep reading.
Health Benefits of parsley
Parsley, in addition to being an excellent condiment for meals, is also an excellent complement to have a healthy life. This is because parsley provides great health benefits.
Provides a large number of flavonoids
It helps fight diseases and protect the body from the risk of suffering from many pathologies thanks to its antioxidant effects.
Among its main contributions to the body are beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, luteolin, lycopene, and apigenin.
In addition, they help slow the aging of cells by eliminating free radicals, reducing inflammation and the risk of diseases associated with old age.
Contains essential oils
It provides a large number of essential oils to the body that contains volatile components such as limonene, myristicin, eugenol, and alpha-thujene, which help fight cancer, strengthening the immune system, and helping it respond better.
It also delays the growth of tumors, fights carcinogens, and neutralizes oxidative stress, which is why it is considered a chemoprotective plant, as it also helps to keep DNA free from damage, stopping mutations at the cellular level and promoting the death of cells. damaged cells.
It is diuretic
Parsley acts as a quite effective natural diuretic that helps reduce bloating by stimulating kidney production, helping to eliminate excess fluid that may be swelling the abdomen, while helping to preserve digestive health.
Fluid retention at the abdominal level can cause problems in the digestive process, which is why parsley is quite useful to relieve stomach discomfort while reducing inflammation and helping to obtain a visibly flatter abdomen.
Improves urinary tract health
Parsley is highly effective in helping to reduce kidney stones and their subsequent excretion naturally. Relieves symptoms of urinary and gallbladder infections.
Even in cases of venereal diseases and jaundice, it has been scientifically proven that the root and leaves of parsley help the spleen and liver function.
Improves digestion
It is one of the most common uses of parsley when it is used as a medicinal plant, as it helps to relieve stomach symptoms quite effectively. It helps reduce gas, nausea, constipation, bloating, and even in cases of indigestion.
Parsley helps the production of bile and gastric juices, thanks to its essential oils, which help improve the absorption of nutrients that come from food. Its essential oil can be used applied directly on the abdomen or as part of baths.
It is antibacterial and antifungal
Parsley has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help fight infections and eliminate bacteria, which is why it is widely used to preserve oral and dental health, as well as that of the skin, being a perfect ally to help eliminate acne and the bacteria that cause it.
It eliminates fungi effectively, being applied directly on the affected area, however, the essential oil of parsley can be irritating, so its application is recommended, diluting it in another oil that serves as a base, such as oil of olive, coconut, or almonds.
Due to these characteristics, parsley is present in the formulation of many soaps, creams, perfumes, and detergents.
Fight bad breath
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, previously mentioned, parsley helps fight the bacteria that cause bad breath, helping to refresh it naturally.
Chewing a parsley leaf for a few minutes is more than enough to eliminate any trace of bad breath that you may have.
Protect bones
Parsley is highly rich in vitamin K, which helps to preserve bone density, together with calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus.
Stimulates the immune system
Thanks to its high content of vitamin C, which acts together with phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. Its antioxidants, among which vitamin A stands out, help to increase the defenses naturally.
Taking all these vitamins and minerals helps maintain optimal intestinal health while reducing inflammation, which means a lower risk of diseases such as arthritis, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, asthma, and colon cancer.
Improves eye health
Parsley helps protect and improve eye health thanks to its vitamin A content, which also helps maintain healthy skin. The high content of carotenoids and beta-carotene help promote visual health while protecting the cornea and retina from the damage to which they are exposed with the passage of age.
That is why parsley helps prevent the appearance of various visual disorders caused by cell degeneration, such as cataracts. It also helps prevent skin cancer by protecting the skin from UV rays.
Helps protect the heart
Parsley provides folate, which is essential for maintaining heart health, as well as B vitamins that protect you from disease. Parsley provides large amounts of folic acid that converts homocysteine, a substance that, if left unchecked, can be detrimental to heart health.
This substance can damage blood vessels and cause a stroke or heart attack if left unchecked, which parsley does effectively.
Balances hormones
The consumption of parsley helps to balance hormones, helping to reduce the incidence of other pathologies and improving fertility.
In addition, it helps to alleviate premenstrual symptoms, reduce colic, and, by providing folic acid, it helps to cover the amount of folate necessary for the correct formation of the neural tube during pregnancy, avoiding later problems in the fetus.
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Side effects of ginseng
From the Panax ginseng CA Meyer plant (Asian ginseng), the rhizome more precisely, used for its general tonic effect, to stimulate the immune system, or to fight physical fatigue and intellectual.
However, in some cases, and like all herbal medicine, ginseng can cause certain side effects, which is why it is important to know what these side effects of ginseng are and when can they occur before consuming them.
What are the contraindications for ginseng?
Due to its action on the body, ginseng is contraindicated or must be consumed under medical supervision for:
•People with diabetes
•People with high blood pressure
•People who suffer from heart disease
Care should be taken with medical advice if you suffer from any of these conditions.
Although studies show that ginseng does not exert estrogenic action, there are still recommendations for caution in patients who have suffered from hormone-dependent cancer such as breast cancer.
What are the side effects of ginseng?
At recommended dosages, ginseng is a safe remedy that does not present any danger. The side effects associated with ginseng are caused by excessive consumption of the rhizome, which can then cause:
•Nervousness
•Insomnia
•Irritability
•Diarrhoea
•Increased blood pressure
•Palpitations
These side effects have been observed after overconsumption of more than 15g per day. They are harmless and stop after stopping the consumption of the plant, or returning to normal doses. However, due to its action on the body, ginseng should be consumed with caution in:
•People who suffer from insomnia
•People who suffer from nervous disorders
•People who suffer from obesity
Even if some consume it throughout the year, it is recommended not to exceed 3 months of treatment. Ginseng does not, however, cause addiction and dependence concerns.
Ginseng in children, pregnant and lactating women
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against, as a precautionary principle, the use of ginseng in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Likewise, it advises against the use of ginseng in children and adolescents under the age of 18.
Likely interactions between ginseng and medications
1. Anticoagulants
Because of its anticoagulant effect, people on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, aimed at thinning the blood, should consult a doctor before taking ginseng.
Indeed, the anticoagulant properties of ginseng can theoretically increase the thinning effects of drugs, which could have serious consequences (bleeding, haemorrhaging, bruising, etc.).
Among the most common anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs are aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), AVK (anti-vitamin K), ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin) ), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, etc.
Be careful, some plants or spices can also have anticoagulant properties, so they should be combined with ginseng with caution. Among the most common: garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Eleutherococcus, tonka beans, turmeric, etc.
2. Antidiabetics
With its anti-diabetic properties, people on treatment for diabetes should consult a doctor before taking ginseng.
Indeed, in theory, ginseng could increase the effects of anti-diabetic drugs, and this could lead to side effects such as hypoglycemia, excessive sweating, tremors, blurred vision, dizziness, anxiety, etc.
Among the most common antidiabetics are biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants. , etc.
Be careful, some plants or spices can also have actions on blood sugar, so they must be combined with ginseng with caution. Among the most common: cinnamon, fenugreek, psyllium, flax seeds, black garlic, ginger, etc.
3. Cardiac treatments
People undergoing medical treatments for the cardiovascular system, including high blood pressure, should consult a doctor before consuming the plant.
4. The exciting
With its tonic action on the body, it is advisable to be careful about the association of ginseng root with exciting substances to avoid certain undesirable effects such as insomnia, irritability or palpitations.
It is, therefore, preferable to limit your consumption of coffee, tea, chocolate, guarana, colas, etc.
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