FEATURE STORIES

AI Model Created by LDI Fellows Could Save Medicare Billions

Ezekiel Emanuel and Amol Navathe developed ‘Franklin,’ an AI model that was three times more accurate at predicting Medicare costs than the current CMS system for adjusting risk-based payments.

Gamified Program Boosted Exercise

Research by Kimberly Waddell and colleagues revealed that a gamified intervention effectively increased daily steps for veterans with Parkinson’s disease. 

Hospital Nurse Work Conditions After COVID-19

Karen Lasater, Matthew McHugh, and Linda Aiken found that hospital nurses reported higher levels of job dissatisfaction and greater intent to leave their positions after the pandemic.

Policy Takes on HBO Max's The Pitt

Meredith Doherty, Diana Montoya-Williams, K. Jane Muir, and other LDI Fellows shared policy recommendations for issues presented in the popular show.

Utah's Newest AI Experiment

In Health Affairs Forefront, Eric Bressman examined a new AI system independently prescribing medications in Utah and discussed the fragmented regulations around AI.

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Medicaid After HR1: State Challenges and Policy Tradeoffs

Friday, May 1, 2026
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

A Conversation with Patricia Boozang, MPH, Lanhee Chen, PhD, and Benjamin Sommers, MD, PhD. Moderated by Rachel M. Werner, MD, PhD.

Virtual seminar open to the public.

LDI Fellow Workshop: How You Can Improve Your Media Presence as a Health Policy Researcher

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
1:00–2:30 p.m. ET

In-person event open to LDI Fellows only.

 EVENT RECAP

Incarceration as a Social Determinant of Health

During Penn Medicine’s Health Equity Week, LDI hosted Fellow Jason Schnittker for a lecture exploring the implications of mass incarceration on health equity and public health policy. 

IN THE MEDIA

“When Childbirth Becomes A Court Order: What This Viral Case Reveals About Black Maternal Health.” Elizabeth Howell. Forbes

“6 Things Psychologists Wish Men Knew About Mental Health.” Derek Griffith. New York Times

“Popular Weight Loss Medications Linked to Hidden Side Effects, Study Finds.” Neil Sehgal. The Hill

“Psychedelic Drugs Get the FDA Fast-Track.” Holly Fernandez Lynch. Politico

“Analysis of Alzheimer’s Drugs Stirs Debate About Their Effectiveness.” Jason Karlawish. New York Times

PUBLICATIONS

“Differential Impact of a Digital Mental Health Engagement Platform on Black and Female Health Care Workers: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial.” Anish K. Agarwal, Lauren Southwick, Rachel Gonzales, Lisa Bellini, David A. Asch, Nandita Mitra, Lin Yang, Rachel Kishton, Sarah Beck, Mohan Balachandran, Courtney Benjamin Wolk, Raina M. Merchant. Journal of General Internal Medicine

“Cardiovascular-Related Maternal Mortality.” Lisa D. Levine, Catherine Klammer, Jennifer Lewey. Obstetrics & Gynecology

“Income and Geographic Disparities in in-Hospital Mortality Following Cardiovascular Procedures: Evidence From the National Inpatient Sample, 2016–2022.” Alon Bergman, Ashwin Nathan. Health Services Research

“Gabapentin and Opioid Prescribing Trends Among Adolescents Undergoing Common Procedures: A National Retrospective Cohort Study.” Tori N. Sutherland, Molly Candon, Jennifer A. Rabbitts, Craig Newcomb, Scott E. Hadland. Anesthesiology

“Laypeople's Perceptions of Clinician Performance Metrics Based on Cancer Screening Attendance.” Laura D. Scherer, Carmen L. Lewis, Joseph N. Cappella, Kirsten McCaffery, Jolyn Hersch, Brad Morse, Channing Tate, Tamar Parmet, Bridget Mosley, Heather L. Smyth, Marilyn M. Schapira. JAMA Health Forum

Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics is a national leader in advancing health policy through transformative research.