Health Insurance News and Research

RSS

GLP-1 and SGLT2 inhibitors show promise in preventing recurrent stroke and heart attack

GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, two classes of medications most commonly prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes or weight loss, may reduce the risk of heart attack, second strokes and death in adults who had an initial stroke, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

11 Nov 2024

911 telecommunicators improve CPR access for women during cardiac arrest

Women were less likely than men to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in public, however, this disparity improved when 911 telecommunicators provided lifesaving instructions to callers seeking help for someone having a cardiac arrest, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2024.

11 Nov 2024

MESA heart disease risk score performs well even without race modifiers

A version of the MESA heart disease risk score that did not include race predicted heart disease risk just as well as the version that includes race, according to a preliminary study presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

11 Nov 2024

CKM syndrome leads to elevated cardiovascular disease risk earlier in life

People with chronic kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes or both were predicted to have elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk 8 to 28 years sooner than someone without those conditions, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

11 Nov 2024

Redlining and its lasting impact on heart disease and diabetes

Heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity were more common and linked to reduced access to healthy foods among people who live in neighborhoods previously subjected to redlining, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

11 Nov 2024

Many voters backed abortion rights and Donald Trump, a challenge for Democrats

Voters in three states — Arizona, Missouri, and Nevada — chose on Tuesday to advance protections for abortion rights in their state constitutions. Donald Trump, meanwhile, is likely to win all three states in his victorious bid for the White House.

8 Nov 2024

Study reveals high prevalence of unrecognized cognitive impairment in vulnerable older adults

One of the first studies to investigate the prevalence of unrecognized cognitive impairment among patients seen at Federally Qualified Health Centers, has found that it is ubiquitous, especially among minoritized older adults.

8 Nov 2024

AI tool enhances diagnosis of long COVID in electronic health records

Investigators at Mass General Brigham have developed an AI-based tool to sift through electronic health records to help clinicians identify cases of long COVID, an often mysterious condition that can encompass a litany of enduring symptoms, including fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog after infection from SARS-CoV-2.

8 Nov 2024

Link between COVID-19 and long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders

COVID-19 survivors may develop autoimmune conditions long-term, with risks varying by severity and vaccination status, necessitating continued health vigilance.

8 Nov 2024

Watchdog calls for tighter scrutiny of Medicare Advantage home visits

A new federal watchdog audit is ratcheting up pressure on government officials to crack down on billions of dollars in overcharges linked to Medicare Advantage home visits.

8 Nov 2024

Michigan study finds virtual care does not lead to wastage of healthcare resources

Before 2024 ends, Congress will decide whether to keep or change rules about telehealth, or let them expire. And even though the decision will focus on Medicare's payment for virtual patient care, it will likely impact telehealth access for people with other kinds of health insurance too.

7 Nov 2024

Researchers uncover immune mechanism behind myocarditis from cancer immunotherapy

Some patients being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer immunotherapy, develop a dangerous form of heart inflammation called myocarditis.

6 Nov 2024

Trump’s White House return poised to tangle health care safety net

Former President Donald Trump's election victory and looming return to the White House will likely bring changes that scale back the nation's public health insurance programs — increasing the uninsured rate, while imposing new barriers to abortion and other reproductive care.

6 Nov 2024

Community health workers spread across the US, even in rural areas

Kelly Engebretson was excited to get fitted for a prosthetic after having part of his leg amputated. But he wasn't sure how he'd get to the appointment.

6 Nov 2024

Election outcome could bring big changes to Medicare

On the campaign trail, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are eager to portray themselves as guardians of Medicare.

5 Nov 2024

Study: Medicaid waivers have limited impact on opioid overdose crisis

For generations, the federal government has largely refrained from paying for mental health and substance use treatment in large residential facilities.

4 Nov 2024

Trump wants Harris to pay a political price for generous immigrant health policies

Maria Sanchez immigrated to the Chicago area from Mexico about 30 years ago. Now 87, she's still living in the U.S. without authorization. Like many longtime immigrants, she has worked — and paid taxes, including Medicare taxes — all that time.

1 Nov 2024

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The campaign's final days

With the 2024 election campaign in its final days, House Speaker Mike Johnson this week floated "massive" health care reform if former President Donald Trump wins — changes that are also dependent, of course, on whether Republicans control Congress next year.

1 Nov 2024

Exercise linked to lower mortality risk in dementia patients

Physical activity of any intensity after a diagnosis of dementia is associated with around a 30% lower risk of death, finds research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

30 Oct 2024