Latest News On Chronic Disease Care

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Many People Living in the ‘Diabetes Belt’ Are Plagued With Medical Debt

KFF Health News Original

The “Diabetes Belt,” as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comprises 644 mostly Southern counties where diabetes rates are high. Of those counties, KFF Health News and NPR found, more than half also have high levels of medical debt.

Fresh Produce Is an Increasingly Popular Prescription for Chronically Ill Patients

KFF Health News Original

Fresh produce prescription programs are getting a boost in Montana as a way of helping people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The approach may be a model for other rural states to promote healthy eating in food deserts.

¿Ayudan las nuevas guías sobre opioides a los pacientes con dolor crónico?

KFF Health News Original

Las recomendaciones dejaron a muchos pacientes lidiando con las consecuencias para la salud mental y física de la reducción rápida de la dosis o la suspensión abrupta de los medicamentos que habían estado tomando durante años, lo que conlleva riesgos de abstinencia, depresión e incluso suicidio.

New CDC Opioid Guidelines: Too Little, Too Late for Chronic Pain Patients?

KFF Health News Original

In November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for prescribing opioids for pain, allowing physicians more flexibility. But doctors, patients, and advocates wonder if the updated standards will be too little, too late to help chronic pain patients in a country still focused on fighting the ongoing opioid crisis.

A Law Was Meant to Free Sick or Aging Inmates. Instead, Some Are Left to Die in Prison.

KFF Health News Original

The First Step Act was supposed to help free terminally ill and aging federal inmates who pose little or no threat to public safety. But while petitions for compassionate release skyrocketed during the pandemic, judges denied most requests.

Cleanup Workers Got Sick After Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. They Want BP to Pay.

KFF Health News Original

After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2020, Rodney Boblitt’s job was to patrol a 14-mile stretch of coastline in the Florida Panhandle looking for signs of oil washing ashore. Today, the 54-year-old is among thousands of other cleanup workers who are experiencing health issues and suing BP. But proving their health conditions were caused by the oil has been challenging.

Pacientes de California temen consecuencias de nueva propuesta electoral sobre clínicas de diálisis

KFF Health News Original

ELK GROVE, California – Toni Sherwin está ansiosa por someterse al procedimiento que reubicará su punto de diálisis de su pecho a su brazo, que será más fácil de mantener seco. Desde que empezó la diálisis en febrero —como parte del tratamiento contra un cáncer de sangre— se ha lavado el pelo en el fregadero […]

California Patients Fear Fallout From Third Dialysis Ballot Measure

KFF Health News Original

Californians are facing the third statewide dialysis initiative in five years. The dialysis industry is spending tens of millions of dollars to defeat Proposition 29 and is running ads saying the measure would force clinics to close — a message that appears to be resonating with patients.

After ‘a Lot of Doors Shut in Our Face,’ Crusading Couple Celebrate Passage of Burn Pit Bill

KFF Health News Original

Le Roy and Rosie Torres founded the Burn Pits 360 group that advocated for years for Congress to help veterans suffering from injuries caused by the massive disposal sites on overseas bases. Le Roy came home from Iraq suffering from breathing problems.