Survey: Percentage of Americans who lack health coverage rose for fourth straight year

Politico reports on this new finding from Gallup, which is being released today.

Politico: Survey: Uninsured Rose In 2011
The percentage of Americans lacking health insurance coverage rose for the fourth straight year in 2011 to 17.1 percent, a new survey showed Tuesday. The climb has been steady since Gallup began tracking whether adults have health insurance in 2008. Four years ago, only 14.8 percent of adults lacked health insurance (Mak, 1/24).

Here's the Gallup story: More Americans Uninsured In 2011 (Mendes, 1/24).

In related news, Modern Healthcare reports on research from the Archives of Internal Medicine concluding that research regarding the overuse of health care in the U.S. is limited, and the Associated Press takes a look at the overuse of screening tests.

Modern Healthcare: Little Research On Overuse Of Health Care In U.S., Study Says
Despite concerns about the high cost and inefficiency associated with the overuse of health care, research is limited and often addresses only a few medical interventions, according to an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. ... The authors emphasized the need for better guidelines on a wider range of health care interventions as a way to boost research on overuse, particularly in areas such as preventive diagnostic services (McKinney, 1/23).

The Associated Press: Too Many Tests? Routine Checks Getting Second Look
Chances are you've heard that many expert groups say cancer screening is overused, too, from mammograms given too early or too often to prostate cancer tests that may not save lives. It's not just cancer. Now some of the nuts-and-bolts tests given during checkups or hospital visits are getting a second look, too -; things like routine EKGs to check heart health, or chest X-rays before elective surgery. Next under the microscope may be women's dreaded yearly pelvic exams (Neergaard, 1/23).