LocalHealthGuide - Part 192

Picture of a U.S. penny next to milligrams of fentanyl, which is a fatal dose for most drug users. DEA

March 21, 2019 Opioids

Fentanyl-Linked Deaths: The U.S. Opioid Epidemic’s Third Wave

First came prescription pain medications, then heroin, and now fentanyl.

March 21, 2019 Health Insurance / Hospitals

Health Plans For State Employees Use Medicare’s Hammer On Hospital Bills

Some states are moving to control costs by using Medicare reimbursement rates to calibrate how they pay hospitals, triggering alarm in the hospital industry.

March 19, 2019 Vaccines

Does It Make Sense To Delay Children’s Vaccines?

A gradual approach to vaccinations is better than no vaccinations at all. But delaying vaccines is risky.

March 19, 2019 Food-borne Illness

As Home-Cooked Cottage-Food Industry Grows, States Work to Keep Up

U.S. local food sales, including cottage-food sales, have soared from $5 billion annually in 2008 to a projected $20 billion this year.

March 19, 2019 Biotechnology / Health Policy

Death By 1,000 Clicks

How electronic health records became an ‘unholy mess.’

March 19, 2019 Doctors / Healthcare Providers

Did Your Doctor ‘Ghost’ You? An Employment Contract May Be To Blame

Noncompete clauses aim to stop physicians from taking patients with them if they move to a competing practice nearby.

March 14, 2019 Marijuana

How to Regulate the Hemp Food Craze?

Regulators say adding the hemp product cannabidiol (CBD) to food are essentially adding prescription drugs to food.

March 14, 2019 Mental Health / Seniors

How to help lonely seniors

Insurers, health care systems, and social service agencies are working to address social isolation in seniors.

March 13, 2019 Violence

Mental Health Trails Metal Detectors in School Safety Dollars

Invest in metal detectors, alarm systems and surveillance cameras or school counselors and mental health services?

March 13, 2019 Health News

Thousands Of ‘Friends’ — Yet All Alone

Young connected, social-media users report feeling lonely.

March 13, 2019 Health Insurance

New Health Plans Expose The Insured To More Risk

One plan warns that consumers may need to negotiate over charges from hospitals and doctors.

March 12, 2019 Diabetes / Genetics

Can a genetic test predict if you will develop Type 2 diabetes?

The short answer is yes.

March 12, 2019 Hepatitis / Public Health / Shigella

‘Medieval’ Diseases Flare As Unsanitary Living Conditions Proliferate

Public health officials warn that these diseases can easily jump beyond the homeless population.

March 12, 2019 Health Insurance

What can I do if my health insurer denies my claim?

If you want to file an appeal with your health plan, contact them and ask: “What do I need to do to file an appeal?”

March 11, 2019 Benzodiazepines / Seniors

1 in 4 older adults prescribed a benzodiazepine goes on to risky long-term use, study

On average, the patients were 78 years old when they received their first prescription, which guidelines say should rarely if be given to adults over age 65.