LocalHealthGuide - Part 177

July 10, 2019 Measles / Vaccines

Two New Cases of Measles in King County

These two cases brings the total to nine measles cases in King County residents since the beginning of May.

Watch: High Cost Of Insulin Sends Americans To Canada To Stock Up

The price of insulins has nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016, leaving some patients with no choice but to travel to Canada, where insulin can be 90% cheaper.

July 10, 2019 Aging

Diseases through the decades: 40s, 50s, 60s …

Here’s what to look out for in your 40s, 60s, 80s and beyond

July 10, 2019 Seniors

Health Aging: What is sarcopenia and what can be done about it?

As we grow older, the size and strength of our muscles deteriorats. For some, muscle wasting can be more severe, leading to frailty and loss of independence.

July 10, 2019 Mental Health

Psychiatric diagnoses ‘scientifically meaningless,’ study

Although diagnostic labels create the illusion of an explanation they are scientifically meaningless and can create stigma and prejudice, researchers say.

July 9, 2019 Addiction / Opioids / Rural Hospitals

Six-step plan reduced opioid use in rural clinic patients

A six-step plan that took a system approach cut use of high-dose opioids by more than 14 percent.

July 9, 2019 Public Health

Thousands of Seattleites who live in vehicles have nowhere to go

The scale of vehicle residency in King County has nearly quadrupled in a decade, from 881 to 3,372 people sleeping in a car, RV, school bus, truck or van.

July 9, 2019 Emergency Preparedness

How Disaster Warnings Can Get Your Attention

Harnessing new prediction technology, federal authorities hope to sharpen the disaster warnings they send directly to cellphones, as well as to state and county emergency managers, to make the warnings faster and clearer about life-threatening conditions

July 9, 2019 Drugs / Health Costs

How To Get A Cheaper Prescription Before Leaving The Doctor’s Office

The pricing tool, embedded in physicians’ electronic health record, shows how much patients will pay out-of-pocket and allows the doctor to find a cheaper alternative.

Obama's signature on the Affordable Care Act

July 9, 2019 Health Insurance

Federal Appeals Court Takes Up Case That Could Upend U.S. Health System

If the lower court ruling is ultimately upheld, the case, Texas v. United States, has the potential to shake the nation’s health care system to its core.

July 9, 2019 Child Health / Minorities

Medicaid Enrollment Among Immigrant Kids California Falls; Fear To Blame?

The decline may be due in part to rising fear among their families in response to anti-immigrant rhetoric and federal crackdowns on unauthorized immigrants.