The Incidental Economist

This blog focuses primarily on the health care system in the United States, exploring its structure, functionality, shortcomings, and potential solutions. Each contributor has professional knowledge in fields related to health care, including health economics, law, and health services. As both researchers and educators, we are dedicated to deepening our understanding of the health care landscape and advocating for improvements. Our aim is to help you grasp the complexities of the system and provide you with evidence-based insights, empowering you to engage more effectively in the ongoing discussions about reforming health care.

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A Bit More on Physical Pendulum Isochronal Pivot Points

Jan 19, 2025 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

This is a follow-up post to this one, which you should (re)read if this topic is of interest to you and any of the following is unfamiliar. The same warning about mobile viewing applies: all square roots are over both numerator and denominator, despite how it may appear on a mobile device.
The Geometry of Isochronal Pivot Points for a Physical Pendulum

Jan 17, 2025 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

This post is about a topic in physics, which I suspect may not be of interest to many regular TIE readers. But, it could interest irregular (?) readers. Why physics? It was my undergrad major, and I’m now helping my daughter through AP Physics. I’m finding myself going down some rabbit holes, exploring things I didn’t learn in college. Some aren’t in any textbook I have at my fingertips or online (so far as I can tell). This post is about one such thing. I used AI to check the math and logic.
Supplement Madness: Magnesium Edition

Sep 24, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

Only with considerable effort could I find/figure out all that follows. It’s not that hard, but there seems to be a gap in the (easily accessible) internet. This may help fill it. As a gentle sleep aid, suppose your doctor recommends you take 200 hundred milligrams of magnesium glycinate. Or, suppose you read a recommendation of just that in a newsletter from a well-known neuroscientist. Following this advice is not as simple as you might think.
HSR’s outstanding reviewers in 2023

Apr 10, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

Austin Frakt, PhD, is co-Editor-in-Chief of The Incidental Economist. His day job is Associate Director of the Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center at the Boston VA Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
HSR Call for Abstracts: The Role of Health Services Research in Advances in Cancer Prevention and Control

Mar 22, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

Cross-posted from the Health Services Research website. Sponsored by: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of MedicineSubmission deadline for abstracts: Monday 17 June 2024Health Services Research (HSR) and the Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine are partnering to publish a Special Issue on The Role of Health Services Research in Cancer Prevention and Control.
Take this breath: mindfulness and public health

Feb 20, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

I’ve heard from several people that my story, A Sated Wind, was helpful to them. That is the point of sharing, so I am delighted. This morning, the following poem came to me, which can be read as related to that story, though can be read in other ways as well. So, I am sharing it in the same spirit as I shared A Sated Wind. Take this breath as if it were the lastSeasons, cycledStorms, ceasedStillnessBegin againThe backstory and where it leads may surprise you.
Follow-up to our email subscribers

Feb 17, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

You’d like to think that in 2024 it would not be hard to have a blog (which is, what, a 1990s technology?) that sends out emails (which is, what, a 1980s technology?). But, alas, it seems hard, and not all TIE posts are getting to email subscribers. Service may be spotty for a while. So, here’s my suggestion: If you love TIE and have heretofore relied on our emails, make a habit to also check the site from time to time, perhaps once a week or so.
A sated wind | The Incidental Economist

Feb 17, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

Positive and negative space. Is it the pile of heavy blankets that comforts or the warm cave beneath? Both and. The night of November 30, 2019, within such a cave, the door of sleep blew open no sooner had it closed. Startled awake, yet nothing was amiss. Just the wind, as they say. I reentered sleep, the door to waking consciousness gently closed only to be immediately blown open, again with no apparent cause. These gusts of wind came from my central nervous system.
If you’re a TIE email subscriber or want to be one, read this

Feb 13, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

If you rely on emails for TIE content, you’ve missed a lot of posts. Our post-to-email functionality broke in mid-December. We’ve been struggling mightily to fix it and finally have. At the end of this post is a list of links to great content you may have missed. Give it a skim and click through to catch up. Meanwhile, here’s what you need to know about new TIE email delivery. At the end of each email, including the email for this post, is a link to manage your email delivery preferences.
Test post | The Incidental Economist

Jan 8, 2024 | theincidentaleconomist.com | Austin Frakt

Austin Frakt, PhD, is co-Editor-in-Chief of The Incidental Economist and tweets at @afrakt. His day job is Director of the Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center at the Boston VA Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.