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New analysis finds increase in the rate of underinsured youngsters

In a concerning trend for the health of U.S. children, the rate of underinsured youngsters rose from 30.6% to 34%- an additional 2.4 million kids- from 2016 to 2019, according to an analysis led by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers.

6 Dec 2021

Most young people improve quickly from COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis

Most young people under the age of 21 who developed suspected COVID-19 vaccine-related heart muscle inflammation known as myocarditis had mild symptoms that improved quickly, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

6 Dec 2021

COVID-19 pandemic linked to higher blood pressure levels among middle-aged U.S. adults

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with higher blood pressure levels among middle-aged adults across the U.S., according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

6 Dec 2021

Inequalities of the US COVID-19 vaccination drive

The percentage of individuals with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, by communities, were collected from eight cities to determine US vaccine inequality.

6 Dec 2021

Expanding Medicaid may reduce fatalities, study says

In 2010, the newly passed Affordable Care Act – also known as Obamacare – mandated that states expand Medicaid eligibility to cover millions of uninsured Americans.

3 Dec 2021

New California law eases aid-in-dying process

During her three-year battle with breast cancer, my wife, Leslie, graciously endured multiple rounds of horrifically toxic treatment to eke out more time with our two young children.

3 Dec 2021

A tale of two Medicaid expansions: Oklahoma jumps in, while Missouri lags

Temp worker James Dickerson applied for Medicaid because it will be cheaper than his current health plan. Home health aide Sharon Coleman looks forward to having coverage that will cover a hospital stay. Incoming medical student Danielle Gaddis no longer worries a trip to the doctor will leave her in debt.

3 Dec 2021

Major life events may affect a person's physical activity levels and heart health

Starting a new school or a new job, having a baby or entering retirement are major life events that significantly affect a person's physical activity level, which may lead to poorer heart health.

1 Dec 2021

‘An Arm and a Leg’: How to avoid the worst health insurance

This episode kicks off with a wild ride: How one journalist nearly got roped into a scam.

29 Nov 2021

‘An Arm and a Leg’: The insurance warrior’s battle plan

Health care — and how much it costs — is scary. But you're not alone with this stuff, and knowledge is power. "An Arm and a Leg" is a podcast about these issues, and its second season is co-produced by KHN.

22 Nov 2021

Vaccine-or-test requirements increase work and costs for governments

Amanda Kostroski, a 911 dispatcher in Madison, Wisconsin, leaves her busy job once a week to go to a county health clinic to be tested for covid-19.

19 Nov 2021

Study explores barriers to dental care among Medicaid-enrolled reproductive-aged women

In a new study, only 47% of women had a dental visit during pregnancy. Medicaid-enrolled women in Virginia were half as likely to visit the dentist during pregnancy than women with private insurance, despite the availability of Medicaid Pregnancy Dental coverage, according to the study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Women's Health.

18 Nov 2021

Antiretroviral drugs detected in drinking water

Years ago, there was a time that kids from a rural village in South Africa still wanted to swim in the rivers nearby. But when they got out of the water, those with sensitive skins would have the worst rash ever, says Prof Philiswa Nomngongo.

18 Nov 2021

Stranded by the pandemic, he had only travel insurance. It left him with a $38,000 bill.

Duy Hoa Tran, a retired Vietnamese schoolteacher, arrived in Los Angeles in February 2020 to visit his daughter and 2-month-old grandson.

18 Nov 2021

Stroke survivors more likely than cancer survivors to continue cigarette smoking

Stroke survivors were more likely to continue cigarette smoking than cancer survivors, raising the risk that they will have more health problems or die from a subsequent stroke or heart disease, according to new research published today in Stroke, a journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

17 Nov 2021

Death from heart attack or stroke may be the first CVD event in some smokers

Death from a heart attack or stroke may be the first cardiovascular disease (CVD) event in some people who smoke cigarettes and CVD is the leading adverse health effect among smokers, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access journal of the American Heart Association.

17 Nov 2021

Missouri’s thin dental safety net stretched amid Medicaid expansion

At the Access Family Care clinics in southwestern Missouri, the next available nonemergency dental appointment is next summer. Northwest Health Services, headquartered in St. Joseph, is booked through May. The wait is a little shorter at CareSTL Health in St. Louis — around six weeks.

16 Nov 2021

Study: Daily low-dose aspirin is neither protective nor harmful regarding dementia risk

Taking daily low-dose aspirin for seven years did not affect the risk of dementia or mental decline among adults with type 2 diabetes, according to late-breaking research presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

15 Nov 2021

Oral PCSK9-inhibitor highly effective at reducing high levels of LDL cholesterol, studies show

Results from two early clinical studies show the first version of an oral PCSK9-inhibitor cholesterol-lowering medicine was well tolerated and highly effective at reducing high levels of LDL cholesterol, according to late-breaking research presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

15 Nov 2021

Prescription omega-3 pill did not reduce hospitalization or death from COVID-19

A high dose of a purified omega-3 fatty acid, available by prescription only, was well tolerated; however, it did not substantially reduce incidents of hospitalizations and/or deaths among people with COVID-19, according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

15 Nov 2021