Latest KFF Health News Stories
Thousands Leave Maryland Prisons With Risky Health Problems But No Coverage
Maryland’s prisons and jails release thousands of inmates each year without helping them enroll in Medicaid, jeopardizing their health and putting communities at greater risk.
In West Baltimore, Scarce Pharmacies Leave Health Care Gaps
CVS rebuilt a store destroyed by protesters after Freddie Gray’s death last year, but a shortage of quality pharmacies means low-income residents still have unmet needs.
Hospitals Eye Community Health Workers To Cultivate Patients’ Successes
These non-medical workers are increasingly being seen by hospitals as a critical point of contact for patients and a way to help hold down readmission rates and improve health outcomes.
In Freddie Gray’s Neighborhood, The Best Medical Care Is Close But Elusive
Last year’s Baltimore unrest highlighted deep distrust between police and poor African-Americans. Dozens of interviews and little-seen data show a similar gap between that community and the city’s renowned health system.
Video: Baltimore Hospitals Work To Repair Frayed Trust In Black Communities
The neighborhoods where people live and work often determine their health. Nowhere is that more true than in West Baltimore.
Quest For Blood Pressure Cuff Highlights Inequality
For a West Baltimore woman, buying a blood pressure cuff means hours on the road.
At Clinic, Poverty Magnifies Health Problems
Staff see high rates of chronic illness and mental health issues related to trauma.
Hospital Trying To Win Community’s Trust
Bon Secours is dealing with patients who are sicker than those in other Baltimore hospitals.
Map: In Poor Baltimore Neighborhoods, Life Expectancy Similar to Developing Countries
In Sandtown, where Freddie Gray lived and the median household income is less than a quarter of Roland Park’s, the life expectancy is 70 years. That matches the average life expectancy in North Korea, an impoverished dictatorship where millions suffer from chronic undernourishment, according to the United Nations.
For Hospitals, Treating Violence Beyond The ER Is Good Medicine And Good Business
Hospitals increasingly view violence as a health concern and are developing initiatives designed to improve long-term community health.
Hospitals Step Up To Help Seniors Avoid Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injuries for adults older than 65, but they don’t have to happen. A number of new initiatives are designed to make seniors stronger and less likely to take a tumble.
