‘State of healthcare for women is in a fragile place’: Florida women are dying from preventable causes
Florida women are dying from causes that are preventable, including breast and cervical cancer, pregnancy complications and mental health conditions, according to a new national scorecard of women’s health released Wednesday. The 2024 Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care comes amid a March 2024 National Center for Health Statistics finding that women’s life expectancy is at its lowest since 2006. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
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» Florida ranks among worst states for women’s healthcare, new study says
Florida hopes to reduce ‘diagnostic odyssey’ for children with rare diseases
A 2023 bill provided funding for the state’s Medicaid program to pay for whole genome sequencing, which can cost more than $6,000. This year, the state also provided permanent funding for the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program, which will fund research into obscure pediatric diseases. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
New drug gives hope to Floridians affected by Alzheimer’s
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this month approved a new medication that’s been proven to help people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, which includes mild cognitive impairment and the mild dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Called Donanemab, this treatment from Eli Lilly will be sold under its brand name, Kisunla, and works as an intravenous infusion injected every four weeks. [Source: WLRN]
One million Floridians have been disenrolled from Medicaid since 2023
Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows over one million Floridians were disenrolled from Medicaid since 2023, primarily for administrative reasons. As of July 12, over 24 million U.S residents. have been disenrolled from Medicaid. The federal government asked states to provide continuous Medicaid coverage to those enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if their circumstances changed, making them ineligible for coverage. [Source: The Center Square]
State seeks go-ahead for trans treatment restrictions
Florida last week asked a federal appeals court to allow the state to restrict treatments for people with gender dysphoria while a legal battle continues to play out. Attorneys for the state filed a 36-page motion at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking a stay of a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle that blocked restrictions Florida imposed last year on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender people. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville tops list of Florida's best hospitals in U.S. News' rankings
Mayo Clinic-Florida in Jacksonville topped the list of best hospitals in the state according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual ratings. The publication also ranked Johns Hopkins All Children’s in St. Petersburg as the top Florida hospital for kids. The categories accompanied U.S. News’ annual honor roll of the nation’s 20 best hospitals
› In parts of Tampa Bay, more people are going to the ER amid record heat
During May last year, which kicked off a summer that shattered heat records in the Tampa Bay area, three people came to that ER for heat illnesses. This May, which also broke heat records, the number of patients seeking help for heat sickness skyrocketed to 21.
› South Florida leaders want to head off ‘silver tsunami’ aging crisis
South Florida leaders are urging a state planning council to tackle the impending “silver tsunami” as concerns grow for retirees’ well-being as they age. At a recent meeting of the South Florida Regional Planning Council, chairman Steve Geller, who is also a Broward County commissioner, said he would push for aging issues to be discussed at a broader conference this fall where experts could guide policy suggestions.
› Orlando respite center Eva’s Casita opens for people with mental health challenges
A new peer respite center in Orlando is open and accepting guests overnight for free. The center is called Eva’s Casita. It’s a non-clinical space to take a break with the support of those who’ve also experienced mental health challenges. This is a program birthed from Peer Support Space.