Oct 13 Do women need an annual pelvic exam? By Sandra G. Boodman, Kaiser Health News It’s the latest battle over screening: Should healthy women skip annual pelvic exams?… Continue reading
Sep 30 Is your private health data safe in your workplace wellness program? By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News “The privacy issues are profound,” said Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum, an advocacy group. “If people are being asked to wear a biometric electronic device, or use a mobile app or work within a wellness program,… Continue reading
Sep 21 Surge in statin use among very elderly without heart trouble raises doubts By Lisa Gillespie, Kaiser Health News Inexpensive statin drugs are given to millions of people to reduce cholesterol, even many who do not show signs of heart disease. But a recent study has found that seniors with no history of heart trouble are now nearly four… Continue reading
Sep 16 Hospitals push physicians to improve their bedside manners By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News A doctor’s training hasn’t historically focused on sensitivity. And too often while juggling heavy workloads and high stress, they can be viewed as brusque, condescending or inconsiderate. Continue reading
Sep 16 Vaccination rates for older adults falling short By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News Three out of four Americans older than 60 don’t get a shingles vaccine, but that's not the only shot that public health officials are struggling to persuade older Americans to get. Continue reading
Sep 14 These new heart failure treatments show promise, but at a huge price By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News Two new treatments for congestive heart failure cost too much in the short term and would drive up spending by insurers and government programs, a nonprofit group said in an analysis released Friday, just days after the same researchers took… Continue reading
Sep 10 When the hospital is boss, that’s where doctors’ patients go By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News Why did hospitals binge-buy doctor practices in recent years? To improve care coordination, lower costs and upgrade patient experiences, say hospitals. To raise costs, gain pricing power and steer patient referrals, say skeptics. Researchers at Stanford University tested those opposing… Continue reading
Aug 17 Why won’t hospitals let patients sleep? By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News It’s a common complaint — if you spend a night in the hospital, you probably won’t get much sleep. There’s the noise. There’s the bright fluorescent hallway light. And there’s the unending barrage of nighttime interruptions: vitals checks, medication administration,… Continue reading
Aug 11 As more women enter combat, access to contraception remains limited By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Next year, the military will officially lift restrictions on women in combat, the end of a process that may open up as many as 245,000 jobs that have been off limits to women. Continue reading
Aug 06 Over-the-phone therapy helps older adults in rural areas By Lisa Gillespie, Kaiser Health News Therapy provided over the phone lowered symptoms of anxiety and depression among older adults in rural areas with a lack of mental health services, a new study shows. Continue reading