Latest California Healthline Stories
Rate of Obese U.S. Adults Reaches 38%, CDC Finds
About 38% of U.S. adults in 2013 and 2014 were obese, up from about 35% in 2011 and 2012, according to a CDC report published Thursday. The report found that from 2011 through 2014, an estimated 36.5% of U.S. adults ages 20 and older had a body mass index of at least 30, which is considered obese. Further, U.S. residents of all ages in 2013 and 2014 were more likely to be obese than they were in 1999 and 2000. According to the report, 17.2% of U.S. children were obese in 2013 and 2014. New York Times.
Federal Housing Department Proposes Public Housing Smoking Ban
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is proposing a nationwide smoking ban in public housing, which CDC estimates would save nearly $100 million annually in health-related costs. Federal officials say the proposed rule would reduce the risk of secondhand smoke and fires and lower building maintenance costs. New York Times et al.
Fed Exchange Sign-Ups Reach 543K in First Week of Open Enrollment
New CMS data show about 543,000 U.S. residents selected health plans through the federal exchange during the first week of the Affordable Care Act’s third open enrollment period. Of those who enrolled through the federal exchange, 66% were re-enrollees, while about 34% were first-time enrollees. The Hill et al.
Covered California Bus Tour Concludes, but Outreach Continue
Covered California’s 38-stop bus tour to promote health coverage under the Affordable Care Act concluded yesterday with a stop in the state Capitol. However, officials say efforts to encourage Californians to enroll in coverage will continue until the exchange’s third open enrollment period ends on Jan. 31, 2016. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Covered California release.
Advocates say California needs more residential treatment options for problem gamblers as the gambling industry grows throughout the state. The latest psychiatric classification system places problem gambling in the same group of ailments as drug addiction and alcoholism. The Department of Public Health runs a state-run problem gambling program, but experts say more resources are needed. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Number of California Babies Born With Syphilis Nearly Tripled Over Two-Year Period, Report Finds
The number of babies born with congenital syphilis in California rose from 35 in 2012 to 99 in 2014, according to a new CDC report. Experts say the disease is difficult to diagnose. Ken Bird, health officer for the Fresno County Department of Public Health, said that the county has been designated as a high area for syphilis and that providers are required to screen for the disease three times during pregnancy. NPR’s “Shots.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 13, 2015
About 120 Dignity Health Medical Group-Dominican health care workers have voted to join Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West. Hospital officials say California Pacific Medical Center’s new campus is “on track” to open in 2019.
Study of California Patients Examines ‘Post-Hospital Syndrome’ Risk
A new study of California patients finds that those who were hospitalized within the last 90 days were particularly vulnerable to “post-hospital syndrome.” The disorder can cause anxiety, dehydration, lack of appetite and lack of sleep. FierceHealthcare.
Report Highlights Health Disparities in U.S. Counties
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a new report highlighting health disparities among U.S. counties in an effort to improve individuals’ health. The report ranked counties based on economic factors, health behaviors, clinical care access and physical environment factors. According to RWJF, local communities could use the report to bolster residents’ health. Modern Healthcare.
An independent panel should be created to address issues with Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care services, according to a new report from the CMS Alliance to Modernize Healthcare. The report noted that existing VA spaces are “not being used at [their] highest efficienc[ies]” and that VA facilities “are not effectively linked to workload growth.” In addition, it found that VA “funding levels do not support identified capital needs.” Modern Healthcare.