Cancer Mortality Rates Would Plummet More Than 20 Percent If Everyone Had Access To Quality Care
There's already a hint of this happening with the implementation of the health law and the expansion of Medicaid. When patients have access to preventive medicine and screenings, cancer can be caught earlier, improving the chance of a better outcome.
Los Angeles Times:
A Plan To Prevent More Than 1 In 5 Cancer Deaths, Without Having To Invent Any New Treatments
The nation’s cancer experts say it is possible to eliminate more than one in five cancer deaths in the U.S. even if researchers never invent another test or treatment. For this plan to work, every single American would have to take full advantage of the best medical care the country has to offer. If they were to do so, the country’s cancer mortality rate would fall by 22%, according to researchers from the American Cancer Society. (Kaplan, 7/10)
In other public health news —
Modesto Bee:
Modestan's "Guidebook" Helps Teens Fight Sometimes Dangerous Body Image Obsessions
Having a healthy attitude about your natural body type is a challenge for teenagers and adults faced with the cultural messages that favor certain shapes and standards of attractiveness. Signe Darpinian, a licensed family counselor, brought speakers to the State Theatre in March 2017 to introduce The Body Positive movement to Modesto, which urges young people and adults to value their health and natural appearance. (Carlson, 7/10)
The Mercury News:
Here’s How Fast California’s Elderly Population Is Growing And Where
California tops the nation in people 60 and older and they increased by 1.5 million in the last five years from 6.71 million in 2013 to 8.22 million in 2018. (Snibbe, 7/11)