Background: Aggressive EOL treatments in advanced cancer patients are associated with low-value care and frequently lead to unnecessary hospitalizations. Since 2012, the National Quality Forum (NQF), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have adopted EOL quality measures to reduce aggressive care. Using these measures, we conducted a [...]

Background: Lonely adults are prone to a variety of poor health outcomes, including accelerated functional and cognitive decline, depression, and premature mortality. As a result, lonely adults may be prone to higher health-related suffering, triggering increased healthcare utilization and possibly undesired aggressive care, particularly as they approach end of life (EOL). However, little is known [...]