Latest California Healthline Stories
Experts: ACA May Interrupt Short-Term HIV Care, but Long-Term Changes Worth It
The Affordable Care Act will bring changes for thousands of Californians with HIV/AIDS, including possible interruptions in care. But the long-term benefits of reform will outweigh short-term hiccups, according to experts.
Central Valley Tries Anti-Obesity Tactics
The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Project partners with community organizations and residents to challenge policies and environments that don’t support a healthy lifestyle.
Treatment Trends Pushing Diabetic Amputations Down List of Options
Thousands of Californians undergo diabetes-related leg and foot amputations every year, but the number may be declining as new, aggressive treatments aimed at saving limbs are spreading and showing results.
S.F. Alzheimer’s Pilot Results Released
San Francisco’s coordinated care pilot project results for dementia patients released at a national Alzheimer’s conference yesterday showed a dramatic 40% reduction in emergency department utilization rates.
Palliative Care Key Part of Berkeley Forum’s Prescription
Heath care organizations in Northern California are in step with a recent report from the Berkeley Forum suggesting that improvements in palliative care could help California save $110 billion over the next decade.
First Step in Reform: Primary Care
The heart of a successful reform effort under the Affordable Care Act will be the creation and implementation of the patient-centered medical home model of care, according to testimony at an Assembly Committee on Health hearing in the Capitol Tuesday.
“We need to look at better management of chronic conditions,” said Assembly member Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), chair of the Committee on Health. “It’s one of the greatest cost factors in our health care system.”
How much cost?
California Behind National Curve in Care for Chronically Ill Children
California is behind the national curve in caring for chronically ill children, according to a study released last week by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health based in Palo Alto.
In particular, the coordination of care and access to specialists for California’s chronically ill children ranks among the worst six states in the nation, according to the study.
San Diego Diabetes Program Working, Gaining Attention
Community-based diabetes treatment using low-cost, culturally focused interventions can lead to effective disease management, according to a series of studies of a long-running San Diego program. Project Dulce’s success and alignment with larger goals of the Affordable Care Act have attracted attention around the country.
Forum Explores Dealing with Chronic Care Under ACA
Chronic health conditions remain one of the contributing factors to financial and utilization strain on the health care system, and there are a number of steps that can be taken to address them, according to a panel of experts that met recently in San Jose.
The forum, called “Chronic Disease: A Common Sense Approach to Solving Complex Health Issues,” was held Nov. 27 and hosted by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. The moderator, Ken Thorpe, chairman of the partnership, said dealing with chronic conditions may be the most important health care concern of our time.
“We all know the prevalence of obesity has doubled since the early 1980s, and that doubling of obesity accounts for about 10% of health costs in this country,” Thorpe said. “Because the rise in prevalence of obesity has contributed to the rise in diabetes, as well as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other related chronic health conditions.”
Health Care on California Ballots, Directly and Indirectly
California voters will deal directly and indirectly with health care issues in next week’s elections. On city and county ballots, voters will decide issues ranging from soda taxes to medical marijuana laws. Statewide propositions have potential for indirect but significant repercussions for health care.