Health News Roundup

Connecticut officials seek to boost vaccinations in the Hispanic community, and more in this week’s roundup

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Connecticut officials seek to boost COVID vaccination in Hispanic community
Hugh McQuaid, CT News Junkie, Nov. 5
With vaccines now available to younger children and the holiday season approaching, Hartford’s Hispanic Health Council is urging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The organization is continuing to conduct outreach within the Hispanic community while combating misinformation.

Medicare penalizes 26 CT hospitals for high readmission rates
C-HIT Staff, Connecticut Health Investigative Team, Nov. 4
Twenty-six Connecticut hospitals are facing a loss in Medicare payment due to high readmission rates based on data from July 2017 to December of 2019. Approaches to increased coordinated care after discharge may help reduce readmission rates in the future.

Organ donation recovery rates worse for people of color, data show
Marisa Fernandez, Axios, Nov. 9
Recently released data show that organ donation success rates for people of color, especially Black Americans, vary widely across the U.S. While many organ procurement organizations with large numbers of people of color perform well, gaps in outreach and lack of cultural sensitivity by other organizations can be detrimental to people of color.

Poll shows just how far COVID-19 misinformation has traveled
Peter Sullivan, The Hill, Nov. 8
According to a new poll, nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults believe or are unsure of at least one false statement about COVID-19. The results highlight the need to combat widespread misinformation within many communities, particularly those who are unvaccinated.

A study links facing discrimination at a young age with future mental health issues
Joe Hernandez, NPR, Nov. 8
A new study examining discrimination based on age, physical appearance, sex, race, and other factors found an increased risk for mental and behavioral struggles later in life. The study also suggested a connection between the effects of discrimination on young people and the disparate levels of care they receive in the health care system, contributing to inequities in access and outcomes.