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Archive for the ‘HIV’ Category

Full coverage for more women’s prevention service to go into effect

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda
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The controversial part of the Affordable Care Act that will give 47 million women greater access to a variety of health services — including contraception — will go into effect today for many women.

The new rules in the health care law requiring coverage of eight new prevention services take effect at the next renewal date – on or after today — for most health insurance plans. The new prevention-related services are:

  • Well-woman visits.

    • Gestational diabetes screening that helps protect pregnant women from one of the most serious pregnancy-related diseases.

  • Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling.

    • FDA-approved contraceptive methods, and contraceptive education and counseling.

  • Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling.

    • HPV DNA testing, for women 30 or older.

  • Sexually transmitted infections counseling for sexually-active women.

    • HIV screening and counseling for sexually-active women.

    Previously some insurance companies did not cover these preventive services for women at all under their health plans, while some women had to pay deductibles or co-pays for the care they needed to stay healthy.
    According to a new report released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 47 million women are in health plans that must cover these new preventive services at no charge.

    “President Obama is moving our country forward by giving women control over their health care,” Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a press release put out by the department. “This law puts women and their doctors, not insurance companies or the government, in charge of health care decisions.”

    Group health plans and issuers that have maintained grandfathered status are not required to cover these services. In addition, certain nonprofit religious organizations, such as churches and schools, are not required to cover these services. The Obama administration will continue to work with all employers to give them the flexibility and resources they need to implement the health care law in a way that protects women’s health while making common-sense accommodations for values like religious liberty.

    To learn more about the health care services you may be eligible for at no extra charge under the Affordable Care Act, go to http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention.

    For information about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on the number of adult and adolescent women eligible for the preventive services at no charge after Aug. 1, 2012, see http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2012/womensPreventiveServicesACA/ib.shtml.

    Chart compares top causes of death for different demographics

    Wednesday, July 6, 2011 by:Amanda Cuda
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    A fascinating (if somewhat morbid) web site from the U.S. Department of Health and Human services allows people to compare the top ten causes of death for different races, age groups and genders. Know it doesn’t exactly sound like a barrel of laughs, but it is a pretty eye-opening and interesting site, which you can view by clicking here.
    Using the menus at the bottom of the page, I was able to compare the top causes of death for a white woman in my age bracket (25 to 34 years old) with those of a black woman the same age. I, apparently, have a higher chance of dying in an accident. There are about 19 deaths per 100,000 deaths from accidents among white women my age, compared with 14.7 per 100,000 such deaths for black women aged 25 to 34. It’s the chief cause of death for both groups.
    From there, the chart varies greatly between the two groups. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death among black women in this age group, with 12.6 deaths per 100,000 (it’s fourth for white women, with about 4 deaths per 100,000).
    Cancer is a major concern for both women (the second leading cause of death for white women, and third for black women). The chart lists HIV as the fourth leading cause of death for black women, and it isn’t even in the top 10 for white women. You can view the whole chart by clicking here.
    The tool aims to make Americans aware of the huge health disparities that exist based on something as simple as your race or age. It is really educational and something worth spending a little time with.
    Also, check out today’s health section, which offers a slightly lighter look at various health risks: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/What-are-the-chances-A-look-at-life-s-dangers-1452685.php

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