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Role reversal: Millions of kids are caregivers for elders. Why their numbers might grow.
Leah Fabel, KFF Health News, June 2
At just 15 years old, Joshua Yang became his mother’s caregiver after she survived a terrible car crash. Researchers estimate that he is among at least 5.4 million U.S. children who provide care to an adult in their home. Federal Medicaid funding cuts could drastically reduce home care services for those who are disabled or have chronic health conditions. Experts worry that this will lead to an increase in the number of child caregivers. Studies show that when young people care for adults with medical conditions, their health and academic outcomes decline. At the same time, the adult being cared for receives untrained care.
Language service cutbacks raise fear of medical errors, misdiagnoses, deaths
Vanessa G. Sanchez and Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, KFF Health News, May 29
Health nonprofits and medical interpreters warn that federal cuts have eliminated positions for community workers who help non-English speakers sign up for insurance coverage and navigate the health system. Advocates worry that this could leave some without lifesaving care and could leave some people more likely to experience medical errors, misdiagnoses, neglect, and other adverse outcomes. People with limited English proficiency have also scaled back their requests for services, something advocates attribute in part to fear over immigration crackdowns and executive orders, such as one declaring English the national language.
How a growing cohort of Black women are redefining doula care across New England
Olivia Richardson, New Hampshire Public Radio, May 22
Black women in the United States face higher risks of dangerous outcomes during and after pregnancy. In New England, some are trying to address the disparity by bringing more diverse perspectives to doula care. A cohort of Black women in New Hampshire and the surrounding area is entering the profession, which has historically been a largely white workforce. Many of them are bringing their own personal experiences to their work in order to help other women. They say their perspectives on the challenges that Black women face when giving birth are an important asset.
Connecticut taking steps to reduce its high C-section rates as doctors worry it’s being overused
Cris Villalonga-Vivoni, CT Insider, June 3
About one in three babies nationwide are delivered via c-section, and the rates are continuously rising. While c-sections can be lifesaving procedures, experts worry that the rapid rate increase shows the surgery may be overused. Connecticut has had high rates of c-sections for years. Local providers are now trying to reduce these rates through education initiatives and continuous labor support. That work involves looking to doulas to provide support. Experts say there is evidence showing that continuous support from a doula can help reduce c-section rates, decrease preterm births, and improve breastfeeding rates.
Equitable access to sought-after Alzheimer’s drug remains a challenge in the Northeast, study finds
Sujata Srinivasan, Connecticut Public Radio, June 4
A new study found that a sought-after Alzheimer’s-slowing drug is prescribed more often to people in the U.S. South than to those in the Northeast. Male, white, urban, and wealthier patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease nationwide are also more likely to get a prescription. “White individuals were more than six times more likely to be on therapy than Black individuals,” said Frank Zhou, the study’s primary author. At the same time, older Black Americans are twice as likely as older white Americans to have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Only 20% of Black Americans say they have no barriers to top-line health care and support for Alzheimer’s.