Hospital emergency departments saw child firearm injuries nearly double during the pandemic, a new study found.
Category: Public Health
Medicare Expands the Roster of Available Mental Health Professionals
Medicare is expanding access to mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists come Jan. 1. But the belief that seniors who suffer from mental health problems should just grin and bear it remains a troubling barrier to care.
Biden Pick to Lead Social Security Pledges Action on ‘Heartbreaking’ Clawbacks
At a Senate confirmation hearing, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said he would address hardships the Social Security agency has caused by demanding money back from beneficiaries.
States Reconsider Religious Exemptions for Vaccinations in Child Care
Providers and health care advocates warn a proposed rule change in Montana would jeopardize immunity levels in child care centers and communities. Efforts to change vaccination exemption rules are underway in other states, too.
How NYC health officials plan to reverse declining life expectancy
Life expectancy for New York City residents dropped by nearly five years between 2019 and 2020, and now, the health department is launching a campaign to target the contributing factors that led to the decline.
KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: For ACA Plans, It’s Time to Shop Around
It’s Obamacare open enrollment season, which means that, for people who rely on these plans for coverage, it’s time to shop around. With enhanced premium subsidies and cost-sharing assistance, consumers may find savings by switching plans. It is especially important for people who lost their coverage because of the Medicaid unwinding to investigate their options. Many qualify for assistance. Meanwhile, the countdown to Election Day is on, and Ohio’s State Issue 1 is grabbing headlines. The closely watched ballot initiative has become a testing ground for abortion-related messaging, which has been rife with misinformation. This week’s panelists are Mary Agnes Carey of KFF Health News, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News.
2nd case of dengue confirmed in California
A second case of rare, locally acquired dengue has been confirmed by California health officials in Long Beach. The report comes just over a week after a first was reported in Pasadena.
US infant death rate rises for 1st time in 20 years
Infant mortality in the U.S. went up 3% between 2021 and 2022, according to a CDC report published Nov. 1. It’s the first time the rate has gone up year over year since 2001-2002.
CDC debuts tools for hospital leaders to combat employee burnout
The CDC has launched a federal campaign to offer hospital leaders a collection of resources to strengthen workplace policies around employee well-being and to reduce healthcare worker burnout.
Optometry association issues alert over latest FDA eye drop recall
Following on the heels of the FDA’s updated recall list of contaminated eye drops, the American Optometric Association issued an alert Oct. 31 warning individuals to completely halt usage of the 26 products in question.
