Category: Public Health

States Act To Safeguard Young Cancer Patients’ Chances To Have Children

Fighting cancer often involves toxic therapies that can cause infertility. In the past couple of years, five states have moved to require that plans pay for services such as egg removal and storage.

Influential Leapfrog Group Jumps In To Rate 5,600 Surgery Centers

In the wake of a KHN/USA Today Network investigation, Leapfrog will check the safety and quality of outpatient centers.

Who Knew? Life Begins (Again) At 65

Turning 65 is far more life-changing than turning 21 ever was.

As U.S. Suicides Rates Rise, Hispanics Show Relative Immunity

Support from family and community appear to shield Latinos from rising suicide rates, researchers say.

Hidden Drugs And Danger Lurk In Over-The-Counter Supplements, Study Finds

Dieters and gym rats, beware. Some dietary supplements promising weight loss or more muscle may contain active ingredients not listed on the label that fly under the radar of the Food and Drug Administration. The California Department of Public Health analyzed public data maintained by the FDA to suss out trends among tainted products, raising red flags.

Dementia And Guns: When Should Doctors Broach The Topic?

As the number of Americans with dementia rises, health professionals grapple with how to talk to patients about gun safety at home.

Evening eating: Are you a “light” eater?

An excerpt from Let Go of Emotional Overeating and Love Your Food: A Five-Point Plan for Success. Copyright © 2018 by Arlene B. Englander. Published by Rowman & Littlefield. All rights reserved.  Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight or keep weight off realizes that evening can be the make or break time of […]

Will Maine Voters Decide To Make Aging In Place Affordable?

A ballot initiative in Maine proposes that free home care services be available to all residents who need help with at least “one daily activity.”

Doctors Give Medicare’s Proposal To Pay For Telemedicine Poor Prognosis

Federal officials are proposing that Medicare pay doctors for a 10-minute “check-in” call with beneficiaries. But many doctors already do this for free, and the plan would require a cost-sharing charge of many patients.

No More Secrets: Congress Bans Pharmacist ‘Gag Orders’ On Drug Prices

Congress approved two bills last month that prohibit provisions keeping pharmacists from telling patients when they can save money by paying the cash price instead of the price negotiated by their insurance plan.