RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia has led the nation in expanding health care for pregnant women and children, and now health advocates there are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act to bring similar coverage to other states.
Chloe Edwards, policy analyst at Voices for Virginia’s Children, pointed out the Commonwealth provides 12-month postpartum coverage for new moms and recently expanded coverage to include non-documented women.
She noted Build Back Better also would provide a year of postpartum coverage by improving Medicaid. She thinks it could tackle what she calls a maternal health crisis disproportionately impacting African American women.
“We know that Black women in Virginia are more likely to die during childbirth,” Edwards emphasized. “So by setting new standards that relate to postpartum and Medicaid, and longstanding policy recommendations advocates have been really pushing, we know improves the maternal and infant mortality disparity.”
The U.S. House already has passed the reconciliation bill, which also would permanently fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Opponents of the $2 trillion bill say it costs too much, and the Senate may strip out even more provisions than the House did, but health-care promoters say the Act would provide essential benefits to reverse disparities in coverage for low-income children.
Joan Alker, executive director of the Center for Children and Families, co-authored a new brief, which revealed one in 10 children had a gap in coverage over the course of 12 months during the early Trump years.
“And these gaps in coverage were more common in Latino children and Black children,” Alker reported. “And 50% of children who had a gap in coverage did not see a doctor for the entire year that we looked at.”
Latino kids experienced a 14% gap and Black children 12%, while white children had about a 7% gap.
Children in Virginia qualify for Medicaid or the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) program, if they are in a family of three earning about $45,000 a year or less.
Disclosure: Georgetown University Center for Children & Families contributes to our fund for reporting on Children’s Issues and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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CARSON CITY, Nev. — Eye exams can help determine your risk of dying from COVID, according to experts, because optometrists are often the first medical professionals to notice symptoms of diabetes.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found people with diabetes are more than four times more likely to succumb to COVID than non-diabetics.
Dr. Scott Edmonds, optometrist and chief eye care officer at UnitedHealthcare, said getting treatment for diabetes will improve the odds against COVID.
“A well-controlled diabetic will fare better in the face of COVID infection than someone who is an uncontrolled diabetic,” Edmonds explained. “And often that difference between controlled and uncontrolled is seen in the eye exam, as opposed to other tests.”
Optometrists will suspect diabetes if a person is obese, or has a family history of diabetes, and if a younger person’s prescription changes suddenly, if the patient starts to develop cataracts before age 60, or if small hemorrhages are visible under a microscope.
Edmonds noted if a patient is diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic, the optometrist can recommend they take preventive measures against COVID.
“Then we can have that person take more precautions,” Edmonds advised. “Being more careful with their masks, maybe talk them into getting a vaccine if they weren’t otherwise inclined because now they’re at higher risk.”
He added so-called “long-haul” COVID can cause neurological changes that result in double vision, blur and eye strain, especially when someone is sitting in front of a computer screen.
Disclosure: United Healthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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FRANKFORT, Ky. — In a few weeks, Kentucky lawmakers will convene the General Assembly, and health advocates are calling for new policies to address systemic inequities linked to poor health outcomes.
Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, board chair of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, said the Commonwealth is at the top of the list for cancer-related deaths, smoking rates and depression, and trailing behind on rates of exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep.
She pointed out broader factors such as poverty and education are directly tied to residents’ health.
“And some of the areas we’re looking at include health-care coverage and accessibility, sufficient and equitable school funding, and we’re looking at access to quality pre-Kindergarten and child care,” Lasley-Bibbs outlined. “Those things are really those predictors of long-term health outcomes.”
Lasley-Bibbs pointed to the pandemic as a glaring example of how racial inequities burdened Black and Brown populations with higher rates of COVID-19 exposure, hospitalizations and deaths. She added before the pandemic, Hispanic Kentuckians, who face greater obstacles accessing health care, were at higher risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Lasley-Bibbs emphasized she hopes next year state lawmakers will consider how factors such as genderism, sexism and racism are impacting Kentucky families’ long-term health outcomes.
“Those are the true issues that are driving the disparity gap,” Lasley-Bibbs asserted. “We need to start thinking about those, instead of just thinking about those risk factors for chronic disease.”
She added the state continues to make strides reducing the use of tobacco among residents; a habit linked to heart disease, cancer and premature death.
“We still feel like that’s the number one area where I think we’ve made the greatest improvement so far,” Lasley-Bibbs observed. “We know that Kentucky is number one in lung cancer deaths, so that’s still one of our priorities.”
Data show packs of cigarettes sold in the state are on the decline, more Kentuckians now report they are considering quitting smoking, and about half of Kentucky adults say they believe e-cigarettes are just as harmful as traditional cigarettes.
Disclosure: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky contributes to our fund for reporting on Children’s Issues, Health Issues, and Smoking Prevention. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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TUCSON, Ariz. — With the holiday season beginning and family gatherings planned, Arizona public-health officials have some tips for staying safe.
The rates of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have grown dramatically in Arizona in the past few weeks, but with a few basic precautions, most families can enjoy a get-together at grandma’s house.
Paula Mandel, deputy director of the Pima County Health Department in Tucson, said adults who have received their first or second dose of a COVID vaccine should consider getting a booster. And for adults or kids who are unvaccinated, she said there is still time to get a shot.
“When you do this, you’re not only protecting yourself,” Mandel explained. “You’re helping to protect those that you don’t know what their vaccination status is and may be high-risk, like young children or our elderly population.”
According to data compiled by the New York Times, new cases of COVID-19 in Arizona are up 31%, and hospitalizations up 25%. Statewide, only 54% of Arizonans are fully vaccinated.
Mandel advised bringing any questions you may have about vaccination to your doctor or pharmacist.
Mandel also recommended if you do not know the vaccination status of everyone at a gathering, it is a good idea to wear a mask, wash hands regularly and make sure the house is well-ventilated. She said you might consider taking advantage of Arizona’s great fall weather.
“If you’re coming together with individuals and they’re not people that you see on a routine basis, they don’t live in your home or they don’t visit your home frequently, maybe consider — because of our lovely weather that we’ve had recently — maybe have your gathering outside,” Mandel suggested.
While people are looking forward to seeing friends and family, in some cases for the first time in months, Mandel pointed out using common sense will make for a better holiday gathering. She added the COVID vaccination is not the only one to consider.
“We are heading into flu season,” Mandel stressed. “All of those things that we talk about are the same. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to think about getting vaccinated.”
For a comprehensive list of locations providing no-cost vaccines, check with your county health department.
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