Sylvia Kuo is a health economist who joined the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research in 2004. She received her Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she was National Institute of Mental Health pre-doctoral trainee. Prior to coming to Brown, Dr. Kuo worked as a researcher for Mathematica Policy Research, studying physician access for vulnerable populations and changes in health system over time.

Her research interests center around quality and the appropriate use of care, populations with chronic conditions, and the role of supply-side variations in access to care.

Dr. Kuo is a co-investigator on collaborative research initiative with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), which is closely aligned with the Center's mission to advance the field of health services research, and with BCBSRI's interest in ensuring its future strategies align physician practice patterns with evidence-based medicine. Through this collaboration, funded by BCBSRI, Dr. Kuo studies issues such as duplication of coronary procedures, inappropriate use of antibiotics among children with otitis media and the outcomes and sustainability of warfarin compliance. She collaborates with Drs. Susan Miler and James Burrill on this research.

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications

Bazzoli GJ, Brewster LR, May J, Kuo S. The transition from excess capacity to strained capacity in hospital markets. Milbank Quarterly. Forthcoming.

Gold M, Kuo S, Taylor E. 2006. Translating research to action: Improving physician access in public insurance. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 29(1):36-50.

Kuo S, Fleming BB, Gittings NS, Han LS, Geiss LS, Engelgau MM, Roman SH. 2005. Trends in care practices and clinical outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 29(5):396-403.

Pham HH, Devers KJ, Kuo S, Berenson BA. 2005. Health care market trends and the evolution of hospitalist use and roles. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 20(1):1-7.

Bazzoli GJ, Brewster LR, Liu GY, Kuo S. 2003. Does hospital service capacity in the U.S. need to be expanded?" Health Affairs, 22(6): 40-54.

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications

Berenson BA, Kuo S, May J. 2003. Medical Malpractice Liability Crisis Meets Markets: Stress in Unexpected Places. Issue Brief No. 68, Washington, DC: Center for Studying Health System Change.

Hoadley JF, Draper DA, Kuo S, Cunningham PJ, Mittler JN, Nichols LM, Bazzoli GJ, White J, Berenson BA. 2003. Health Care Market Stabilizes, but Rising Costs and State Budget Woes Loom in Boston. Boston Community Report, Twelfth Visit of the Community Tracking Study, Issue 12 of 12, 2002-2003. Washington, DC: Center for Studying Health System Change.

Draper DA, Hoadley JF, Mittler JN, Kuo S, Bazzoli GJ, Cunningham PJ, Nichols LM, Conwell L. 2003. Health Care Cost Concerns Intensify in Little Rock. Little Rock Community Report, Eighth Visit of the Community Tracking Study, Issue 8 of 12, 2002-2003. Washington, DC: Center for Studying Health System Change.

Draper DA, Hoadley JF, Mittler JN, Kuo S, Bazzoli GJ, Cunningham PJ, Nichols LM. 2003. Rising Costs Pressure Employers, Consumers in Northern New Jersey Health Care Market. Northern New Jersey Community Report, Fourth Visit of the Community Tracking Study, Issue 4 of 12, 2002-2003. Washington, DC: Center for Studying Health System Change.