Health News Roundup

Unstable housing impacts children’s health for years, and more in this week’s roundup

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When little kids don’t have stable housing, it can affect their health later
Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, July 1
A new study found that children who do not have secure housing early in life report worse health outcomes years later. Researchers found that children who experienced any level of housing insecurity had worse physical and mental health at age 15. Experts said the absence of a safe and secure place to live creates stress for parents and caregivers which is also picked up by children. “This study is really important in terms of focusing our attention on teens,” said Rahil Briggs, national director of Healthy Steps. “Everything we know about [early] childhood is that it’s the most critically important time to get your foundation right.”

How the ‘Medicare Cliff’ is raising costs and worsening health for many older low-income adults
Richard Eisenberg, Fortune, July 9
More than a quarter of a million low-income Americans, mainly women and predominantly Black and Hispanic, have significantly higher out-of-pocket costs compared to others on Medicare. They also experience a substantial worsening of their health in the two years after hitting what is known as the Medicare Cliff. It is a combination of the Affordable Care Act’s broadening of eligibility for Medicaid and conflicting Medicare rules that results in people incurring much higher out-of-pocket health costs due to premiums, deductibles and co-pays that are higher in Medicare than in Medicaid.

CT kids ages 15 and younger now qualify for Husky health care, regardless of immigration status
Maricarmen Cajahuaringa, Connecticut Public Radio, July 1
A new law expanding Connecticut’s HUSKY Insurance to children ages 15 and younger regardless of immigration status is now in effect. At a celebration of this expansion at Fair Haven Community Health Care, advocates shared personal stories about the impact of this legislation, including that of an immigrant teen who signed up for coverage the morning it became available to her age group. Advocates also highlighted there is more work to be done and that expansion to age 18 is among their next goals. “Let’s keep pushing forward, think strategically, and make sure that everyone in our community and state has the healthcare they need,” said HUSKY 4 Immigrants coalition manager Luis Luna.

Report: Older adults face racial disparities in mental health issues, care
Kristen Fischer, McKnights Long-Term Care News, July 9
Non-Hispanic Black and lower income older adults are most likely to experience mental illness and substance use disorder. The racial disparities were highlighted in a report that also found the connections between mental health, functional impairment and financial disadvantages can make aging worse. Researchers found that women were more likely to have mental illness and men were more likely to experience substance use disorder. Those with higher incomes had lower rates of depression, which researchers said indicates those individuals likely have more support than those with lower incomes.

Why children in the U.S. are dying at far higher rates than in other wealthy countries
Aria Bendix, NBC News, July 2
Children in the United States are dying at higher rates than in other wealthy, developed countries. Researchers found that an estimated 20,000 more kids under the age of 19 in the U.S. die each year than in other similar countries. The study states that this disparity can in part be explained by the U.S.’ high infant mortality rate, which is especially high for Native American and Black infants. Other factors noted in the study are firearms, suicide, drugs, and car accidents.