StevenSaus

Some of America's largest hospital systems saw significant financial gains in the first half of 2024, while over 700 facilities nationwide face closure risks. A report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform found that more than one-third of rural hospitals are at risk of closure.

Many Americans still receive unexpected bills or coverage denials and need better health literacy to challenge them, according to an issue brief from Commonwealth Fund. Investigators found, in a survey of more than 5,600 insured adults, that 45% of participants or their family members had received an unanticipated bill or copayment for a service they expected to be free or insured. Among those who received an unexpected bill, only 45% challenged it. The survey also indicated that Medicare beneficiaries (53%), Medicaid plan members (50%), Hispanic individuals (49%), and those with incomes exceeding 400% of the federal poverty level were most likely to challenge a bill.

New Mexico is appealing directly to Texas healthcare providers through a "Free to Provide" initiative, urging them to relocate due to Texas' strict abortion laws. The New Mexico Department of Health ran full-page ads in major Texas newspapers, featuring a letter from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), saying, "You took your oath with patients -- not politicians -- in mind." Texas' abortion legislation bans the procedure except to protect the mother's life, while New Mexico offers legal protections for abortion providers. More than 14,200 Texans sought abortion care in New Mexico in 2023. The campaign, costing around $400,000, includes billboards in Houston.

A direct quote from the finance minister of Israel today: "Nobody will let us cause 2 million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral, until our hostages are returned."

Intermittent calorie restriction improved executive function and memory measures in cognitively intact older adults, an exploratory pilot study suggested.

The 8-week randomized clinical trial of 40 overweight, cognitively normal older adults with insulin resistance examined the effect of two interventions -- a 5:2 intermittent fasting plan versus a "healthy living" diet based on portion control and calorie reduction guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- on brain health. The 5:2 intermittent fasting group had 2 days of food intake of 480 calories/day (two meal replacement shakes), and 5 days of a healthy living diet.

Both interventions improved executive function and memory, with intermittent fasting showing better results on certain cognitive measures, said Dimitrios Kapogiannis, MD, of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, in a poster presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference.

Through one, two, or three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, people who receive the shots generally see lower risks of overall arterial and venous thrombotic events, according to a study of nearly 46 million people living in England.

The incidence of major events like acute MI, acute ischemic stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis was either similar or lower after receipt of one of the three vaccines used during the first 2 years of the pandemic in the United Kingdom compared with before or without the shot.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/15185002

Children who live in cities with excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages tend to have lower body mass index (BMI) than those who live in cities that do not have such taxes, according to new data from California.

With both childhood obesity and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages linked to CVD risk, several US cities have enacted taxes on these drinks over the past decade that have decreased how much people not only buy but also consume them.

Children who live in cities with excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages tend to have lower body mass index (BMI) than those who live in cities that do not have such taxes, according to new data from California.

With both childhood obesity and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages linked to CVD risk, several US cities have enacted taxes on these drinks over the past decade that have decreased how much people not only buy but also consume them.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/15147089

A new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference links wildfire smoke to a higher risk of new dementia diagnoses. Conducted over ten years in California, the study analyzed health records of more than 1.2 million socioeconomically diverse Kaiser Permanente members aged 60 and older. Holly Elser, M.D., Ph.D., an author of the study, stated, "Previous research has found that exposure to PM2.5 is associated with dementia, but in light of our large, long-term study, it's apparent the risk from exposure due to wildfire smoke is an even bigger concern." The study found that wildfire smoke poses a stronger dementia risk than other sources of PM2.5 air pollution.

A new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference links wildfire smoke to a higher risk of new dementia diagnoses. Conducted over ten years in California, the study analyzed health records of more than 1.2 million socioeconomically diverse Kaiser Permanente members aged 60 and older. Holly Elser, M.D., Ph.D., an author of the study, stated, "Previous research has found that exposure to PM2.5 is associated with dementia, but in light of our large, long-term study, it's apparent the risk from exposure due to wildfire smoke is an even bigger concern." The study found that wildfire smoke poses a stronger dementia risk than other sources of PM2.5 air pollution.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18128537

People who live near East Palestine, Ohio, can now get $25,000 apiece for any injuries they sustained after last year’s Norfolk Southern freight train derailment on top of whatever money they get for property damage as part of the $600 million class-action settlement.

The lawyers who negotiated the deal have increased the estimated injury payment from the original $10,000 because they now have more information about how many claims there will be. One of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Adam Gomez, said the original estimate was conservative to ensure that no one will receive less than they were promised as part of the settlement.

“We are not looking to over promise and under deliver in any way shape or form to the class,” Gomez said.

The lawyers plan to hold a Zoom call for residents Thursday evening to explain why the health payment is increasing and why they believe it is the right amount.

That payment for health problems is on top of the up to $70,000 households can receive for property damage. But to get the injury payment, residents who live within ten miles of where the train derailed have to agree before the Aug. 22 deadline to give up the right to sue the railroad or anyone else involved down the road even if they develop cancer or other serious health conditions later.

Calls to Oklahoma's 988 Mental Health Lifeline increased by 44% in its second full year, with 36,493 calls received. Officials attribute the rise to growing awareness, ongoing mental health challenges, and reduced stigma. Calls are typically answered within 12 to 14.5 seconds, with 72% resolved over the phone. Mobile crisis teams are dispatched for 12% of calls, with 20% of those requiring further mental healthcare.