In the final weeks of open enrollment, the number of people signing up for Affordable Care Act plans has surged, although overall numbers still lag behind 2017; a study following the progress of babies who were born to mothers infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy are showing more development problems; new research has shown that the longer women breastfeed, the greater the reduction in their risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
In the final weeks of open enrollment, the number of people signing up for Affordable Care Act plans has surged. The deadline to enroll is December 15, and December 2-8 sign-ups reached the highest number for any other 1-week period in 2018, reported The Hill. However, those numbers are still behind last year’s enrollment—there were 934,269 sign-ups last week compared with 1,073,921 during the same week in 2017. Some of the reasons why enrollment could be down include the repeal of the individual mandate and the expansion of cheaper short-term plans.
A study following the progress of babies who were born to mothers infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy are showing more development problems. According to STAT, 14% of babies being followed in Brazil had severe development problems, with the children scoring low on cognition, motor, and language tests. In addition, the children had visual or hearing impairments. Of the children tested, 63% had scores in the normal range for cognition, motor, and language skills. The study is ongoing and will follow the children until at least 7 years.
Breastfeeding has been shown to have health benefits for women, and the latest research has shown that the longer women breastfeed, the greater the reduction in their risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The New York Times reported that women who breastfed for at least 6 months were 52% less likely to develop liver disease than women who breastfed for less than 1 month. More research is needed, though, since it could be that women who breastfed for longer already lived healthier lives.
Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
Listen
Dr Dalia Rotstein: Physicians Must Be Aware MS Affects People of All Backgrounds
April 24th 2024Dalia Rotstein, MD, MPH, emphazises the importance of awareness that multiple sclerosis (MS) impacts patients from various backgrounds as clinicians think through ways to improve access to care and research efforts in MS.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen