Health Care Access News

health1 month ago•26 min saved

Denied Care and a Dying Heart: A North Carolina Mother’s Death Amid Abortion Restrictions

ProPublica’s investigation chronicles how Ciji Graham, a 34-year-old pregnant Greensboro police officer with atrial fibrillation, could not access urgent heart treatment or a timely abortion under North Carolina’s abortion restrictions, ultimately dying from cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiologists say she should have been hospitalized for cardioversion, but delays stemmed from care being routed through clinics rather than hospitals, unclear policies, and legal fears around abortion. The piece situates her death within a broader pattern of high‑risk pregnant patients losing access to standard care in states with restrictive abortion laws.

via ProPublica|

#abortion-bans #health #health-care-access

health-medicine2 years ago•7 min saved

"Rising Diabetes-Related Amputations Among Men in San Antonio"

San Antonio is facing an amputation crisis, particularly among men, due to the rising prevalence of diabetes in Latino communities. Factors such as genetics, poor access to healthcare, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the high rates of diabetes-related amputations in the city. The Texas Diabetes Institute is at the forefront of addressing this issue, providing comprehensive diabetes care and amputation services. Efforts to educate and support men in managing their diabetes, such as the Diabetes Garage program, are underway to combat the cultural stigmas that prevent many Latino men from seeking proper healthcare.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#amputation-crisis #diabetes #health-care-access

health2 years ago•7 min saved

The Prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the US: New CDC Survey Reveals Surprising Numbers

A new survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.3 million U.S. adults have chronic fatigue syndrome, a larger number than previously suggested. The condition, characterized by severe exhaustion, pain, and other symptoms, is not a rare illness and is likely boosted by patients with long-term COVID-19. The survey also revealed that chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in women and white people, contradicting the perception that it is a rich white woman's disease. Misdiagnosis and limited access to healthcare contribute to the underdiagnosis of the condition, which has no cure or quick diagnostic test.

via WPBF West Palm Beach|

#cdc #chronic-fatigue-syndrome #health

health2 years ago•7 min saved

Unveiling the Prevalence and Reality of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the U.S.

A new survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.3 million U.S. adults have chronic fatigue syndrome, a larger number than previously suggested. The condition, characterized by severe exhaustion, pain, and other symptoms, is not a rare illness and is likely boosted by patients with long-term COVID-19. The survey also revealed that chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in women and white people, contradicting the perception that it is a rich white woman's disease. Misdiagnosis and limited access to healthcare contribute to the underdiagnosis of the condition, which has no cure or quick diagnostic test.

via WBAL TV Baltimore|

#cdc #chronic-fatigue-syndrome #health

healthcare2 years ago•30 min saved

"Healthcare at Risk: The Impending Impact of America's Mining Boom"

The decline of the coal industry and the boom in mining communities have disrupted and distorted the local health care systems, creating challenges for residents to access care and worsening health outcomes. Mining companies offer good jobs with robust health insurance plans, which can lead to a dependence on those plans for local health care infrastructure. This dependence creates market dynamics that make it difficult for those without mine insurance to receive basic care. As the demand for resources like copper, lithium, and cobalt increases for green energy production, more mining communities will likely face similar challenges. The reliance on employer-based health insurance and inadequate solutions have failed to address the systemic failures of health care in these communities.

via POLITICO|

#employer-sponsored-insurance #health-care-access #health-insurance

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Surge in Young Adult Cancer Cases in Central Florida

Doctors in Central Florida are warning that cancer diagnoses among young adults are on the rise, with rates of new cancer diagnoses in people aged 20-39 increasing from 79.4 per 100,000 in 2010 to 91.9 per 100,000 in 2020. The Western diet, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco and alcohol use, and stress are contributing factors to the rising cancer rates, particularly breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancers. Systemic barriers to healthcare access also contribute to elevated cancer risks and poorer outcomes for certain groups, such as Black Americans. Doctors emphasize the importance of spreading awareness and making lifestyle changes, including adopting a healthier diet, to reduce the risk of cancer.

via Orlando Sentinel|

#cancer #health #health-care-access

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Alarming Rise in Maternal Deaths: Black Mothers at Highest Risk

Maternal deaths in the United States have more than doubled over the past two decades, with Black mothers experiencing the highest rates. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that the largest increases in deaths were found among American Indian and Native Alaskan mothers. The study highlights the pervasive impact of structural racism and the need for improved health care access. The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality among wealthy nations, with common causes including excessive bleeding, infection, heart disease, suicide, and drug overdose. The study calls for a comprehensive understanding of the root causes and community-based solutions to address this alarming trend.

via CBS News|

#health #health-care-access #maternal-deaths