Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Highlights: N.Y. Hospitals Launch Emoji Outreach Campaign; Md. Officials Take Hard Stance Over New Hospital's Management
The New York Times: New York Public Hospitals Use Emojis To Reach Young People About Sex
The birds and the bees are no longer confined to uncomfortable living-room conversations. They will start popping up as emojis in teenagers’ Facebook feeds on Monday. Eggplant and peach emojis will appear with the words: “Need to talk to someone about ‘it’?” A monkey emoji with its hands over its mouth will offer advice on how to get confidential access to emergency contraception. The social media posts are part of a campaign by NYC Health & Hospitals to reach young people ages 12 to 21 and encourage them to seek confidential care for sexual and reproductive health, like testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, at one of the 20 YouthHealth centers across the five boroughs. (Schmidt, 7/17)
The Washington Post: In Quest For New Prince George’s Hospital, New Management Seen As A Must
The state officials weighing an effort by Prince George’s County to launch a new regional medical center have one common concern: Dimensions Healthcare System, the long-troubled nonprofit that has operated hospitals in the county for decades. Early this year, when Gov. Larry Hogan (R) balked at giving millions of dollars to keep existing county hospitals afloat while the new one is built, he wanted assurances that Dimensions would not play a role in running the new medical center. (Hernández, 7/17)
San Antonio Express-News: Change In Abortion Statistics Adds To Confusion In Texas
Texas quietly changed the way it records abortion statistics, skewing the amount of time a woman is considered pregnant by two weeks and adding a new layer of confusion as lawmakers seek to rewrite abortion rules struck down this summer by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Zelinksi, 7/15)
The Boston Globe: East Boston Health Center Tries To Adapt To A Gentrification Neighborhood
For nearly five decades, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has cared for impoverished families and new immigrants, providing them with job training, English classes, and other social and medical services. But for the newest residents of East Boston, the health center is considering altogether different offerings: spin classes, Zumba, and cooking demonstrations from local chefs. They are an effort to accommodate a changing neighborhood that is experiencing a development boom and surge of young professionals drawn to its more affordable housing, authentic ethnic vibe, and proximity to downtown. (Conti, 7/17)
The Tennessean: Premise Health Expands Mid-Market Employer Reach
Premise Health, a company that runs on-site clinics for employers, is expanding its portfolio of clinics that serve groupings of employers. Premise bought TransformHealthRx, a company out of Statesboro, Ga., that offers clinics and wellness centers to employer groups in addition to onsite clinics. (Fletcher, 7/15)
The Texas Tribune: Texas Universities To Launch Online Counseling
Faced with soaring demand for mental health services from students struggling with depression and anxiety, three Texas universities plan to launch an online counseling program this fall replacing face-to-face therapy with informational videos, online exercises and video consultations that cut the time spent on each individual by nearly 70 percent. Texas A&M University, the University of North Texas and Baylor University hope the online service will help reach more students using 10- to 20-minute video conferences with counselors — a fraction of traditional 50-minute face-to-face sessions. But some psychology experts worry that the shortened sessions won't provide much help and will come with privacy risks. (Pattani, 7/16)
Sacramento Bee: Fighting Poor Nutrition Among California Seniors – With A Food Truck
California is a leading state in which seniors have become among “the hidden poor,” according to a 2015 study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Nearly 1 in 5, or about 772,000, of California’s adults older than 65 cannot afford basic needs such as food, housing, transportation and health care, but often do not qualify for public assistance, the study found. “If you’re running out of money at the end of the month ... the easiest thing is to cut down on food or eat food that is inexpensive or not nutritious,” said Steven Wallace, associate director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and co-author of the report. (Agha, 7/17)
Tampa Bay Times: As Children In Pinellas County Struggle To Find Dental Care, Health Department Steps In With Day Of Free Care
Dozens of parents who packed into the same waiting room with their children had faced similar dilemmas. Some didn't have dental insurance and wouldn't be able to come up with the money to have their children's teeth cleaned, fixed or X-rayed. Others with Medicaid said they're up against a shortage of providers and long waiting lists. (DiNatale, 7/16)
Minnesota Public Radio: Olmsted County Works To Contain Whooping Cough Outbreak
Olmsted County officials are working to contain a pertussis outbreak. Since January, the county has had 127 cases, a number they haven't seen since a pertussis spike four years ago. The bacterial infection, commonly known as whooping cough, originated in teenagers. Schools posed the highest risk for spreading the disease. (Bartyzal, 7/15)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Vaccine To Prevent Meningitis Added To School Requirements
For the first time in 10 years, a new vaccine has been added to the requirements for Missouri schoolchildren. Students entering the eighth and 12th grades will need to have a meningococcal vaccine before school starts this fall...With the new rule, Missouri joins a majority of states that have adopted the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Bernhard, 7/15)
The Columbus Dispatch: Meningitis Vaccine Required This Year For Ohio 7th-, 12th-Graders
Before the new school year, parents will have to make sure their children receive the meningococcal vaccine. Lawmakers added the vaccine to the list of required immunizations last year for students entering seventh grade and 12th grade; the change takes effect in the coming weeks. Ohio allows parents who object to vaccines to opt out. In Ohio, 74 percent of young people are vaccinated, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the U.S., vaccine coverage is close to 79 percent. (Fochesato, 7/18)
