Health | Covering health care and health policy in Southern California

A 'potentially powerful model' for treating sickle cell

A sickle cell clinic in South L.A. is believed to be the first of its kind: It brings primary and specialty care providers under one roof to treat the disease. Rebecca Plevin
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Rebecca Plevin/KPCC
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Researchers Search For Reasons Why Women's Alzheimer's Risk Is Higher Than Men's

Jon Hamilton | NPR |

Scientists are gaining insights into why Alzheimer's is more common in women. The answer involves genetics, hormones and sex-related brain differences.

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Records Show Medicare Advantage Plans Overbill Taxpayers By Billions Annually

Fred Schulte and Lauren Weber | NPR |

The federal government wants to deploy several new tools for catching insurers that have overcharged Medicare $30 billion in last three years alone. But the insurance industry is balking.

More Kids Are Getting Placed In Foster Care Because Of Parents' Drug Use

Susie Neilson | NPR |

With drug use surging in the past decade and a half, many parents are losing custody of their kids. But is foster care the best solution?

Sleep Training Truths: What Science Can (And Can't) Tell Us About Crying It Out

Michaeleen Doucleff | NPR |

Some parents swear by it. They say it's the only way they and their babies get any sleep. Others parents say it's harmful. So what does the science say? Here we separate fiction from fact.

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Caregiving For A Loved One? How To Get The Help You Need

John Henning Schumann | NPR |

Your friends want to help you out when there's a family health crisis. But it can be overwhelming to manage the offers of support. Here's advice to help friends help you.

Simple Ways To Prevent Falls In Older Adults

Luisa Torres | NPR |

More older adults are dying from falls today than they used to 20 years ago. But there are simple steps you can take to improve balance, vision and alertness — and keep from falling.

A Genetic Test That Reveals Alzheimer's Risk Can Be Cathartic Or Distressing

Jon Hamilton | NPR |

Genetic tests can now tell us a lot about our risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. But that doesn't mean people are prepared to receive the information.

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As Its Drug Pricing Plans Fall Through, Trump Administration Turns To Congress To Act

Selena Simmons-Duffin | NPR |

It was a tough week for the agency in charge of implementing Trump's ambitious plans to reduce drug costs. The administration rolled back one plan and had another shot down in court.

Leaders From 13 States Urge Federal Court To Allow Supervised Injection Sites

Bobby Allyn | NPR |

The Justice Department has mounted a legal challenge to block the effort, claiming such a site violates federal drug laws and would enable opioid users.

Trump Administration Announces Plans To Shake Up The Kidney Care Industry

Selena Simmons-Duffin and Carmel Wroth | NPR |

President Trump has signed an executive order pushing for sweeping changes in the way kidney disease is treated.

Years After Sexual Assault, Survivors Hounded To Pay Bills For The Rape Kit Exam

Michelle Andrews | NPR |

Under federal law, people sexually assaulted don't have to pay for their medical forensic exams. Yet some have trouble getting the hospitals or collection agencies to stop dunning them for payment.

What Angelenos Want in the Master Plan on Aging

Michelle Faust Raghavan |

Governor Newsom has signed an executive order calling for a Master Plan on Aging by October 2020. At a recent brainstorming session in L.A., several dozen advocates for seniors shared interviews with older adults and discussed what types of support seniors need.

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The Affordable Care Act Is Back In Court: 5 Facts You Need To Know

Julie Rovner | NPR |

The ACA is again being put to the test, after a lower court judge ruled the massive health law unconstitutional. The case might yet ricochet back to the Supreme Court ahead of the 2020 election.

HHS Inspector General Finds Serious Flaws In 20% Of U.S. Hospice Programs

Ina Jaffe | NPR |

Two new reports from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have found widespread problems in hospice care and say the government needs to open its scorecards on hospice care to the public.

How To Pick A Doctor (Or Break Up With One)

Mara Gordon | NPR |

A good primary care doctor can be your ally, helping you catch or prevent serious illness and navigate the health care system. Here's how to find a good one.

The Promises And Pitfalls Of Gene Sequencing For Newborns

Richard Harris | NPR |

Traditional blood tests still do a better job flagging common inherited diseases. Gene sequencing can be useful for detecting some conditions, but the results can be difficult to interpret.

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