Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
The Marshall Project: How States Are Grappling With An Aging Prison Population
Research shows people often “age out” of crime, and health care costs are ballooning. But still, many states oppose releasing elderly prisoners. (Lartey, 3/21)
The New York Times: How A Healthy Mind-Set Influences Longevity
A few qualities, including a sense of purpose, seem to have real benefits — especially as you age. (Smith, 3/26)
The New York Times: Tango Therapy: How The Dance Of Passion Is Helping Parkinson’s Patients
Tango is the national dance of Argentina, known for its passion, precision and heart. In a hospital in Buenos Aires, it has another purpose: as a therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Once a week, about a dozen patients come to Ramos Mejía Hospital to dance — a session that uses the movements of tango to help address issues of balance, stiffness and coordination. The goal is to give them approaches to movement that they can use in their daily lives, as well as a social and emotional boost from moving to music. (Belluck, 3/24)
AP: Doctors Want More Women Lifting Weights. Experts Say Welcoming Gyms And Education Would Help
During her first year of college, Elisabeth Bradley was inspired to try weightlifting after she followed a woman tracking her fitness transformation on social media, one barbell at a time. Then, Bradley found herself to be the only woman in the weight room at San Diego State University. “I felt like I stuck out a lot, and I just thought, ‘OK, I’m gonna look dumb,’” she says. Intimidated by a room full of grunting, muscular men, she moved over to the cardio area, mirroring countless women who, for various reasons, avoid the free weights and machines. But with research mounting on the benefits of resistance training, experts say a few things need to change at the gym to make it more enticing to women. (Stumm, 3/21)
Undark: Where There’s Wildfire Smoke, There’s Poor Mental Health
Research has increasingly connected wildfire and smoke with worsening mental health, partly due to damage in the brain. (Foehringer Merchant, 3/23)
