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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Recent Health coverage

Should You Get That Scan? Your Doctor Might Not Be Great At Helping You Decide

NPR |

In a new study, researchers found that doctors are better at explaining the benefits of a common cancer screening that its potential downsides. But overtesting comes with risks and costs of its own.

Texas Tightens Disclosure Rules Following Medicaid Investigation

Liz Essley Whyte | NPR |

Officials in Texas are responding to the findings of an investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity into drugmakers' influence over medication choices for Medicaid patients.

Chipotle To Retrain Employees After Latest Outbreak Of Food Poisoning

Scott Neuman | NPR |

The announcement comes after health officials said an outbreak last month that sickened nearly 650 customers in Ohio was caused by a bacteria that thrives in food kept warm for long periods.

Babies Born Dependent On Opioids Need Touch, Not Tech

Alex Smith | NPR |

A pediatrician is working to make sure every hospital in Kansas can give babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome the soft start they need, ideally right next to their mothers.

Audio

FDA Approves New Generic Version Of The EpiPen For Allergic Reactions

Rob Stein | NPR |

Consumers will have a new generic alternative to the widely used — and pricey — device to counter life-threatening allergic reactions.

Feds Urge States To Encourage Cheaper Health Plans Off Insurance Exchanges

Michelle Andrews | NPR |

The government suggests that insurers offer plans off the health law marketplaces that don't have surcharges added last year to make up for a cut in federal funding.

Despite FDA Caution, Doctors Say Lasers May Help With Vaginal Pain And Dryness

Sara Kiley Watson | NPR |

The FDA recently warned against using lasers for so-called "vaginal rejuvenation" treatments to reshape or tighten the vagina. But one kind of laser treatment might have gotten a bad rap.

More Health

A UCLA professor's call to root our racism in research

Priska Neely |

In the latest issue of the journal "Ethnicity & Disease," Chandra Ford calls out the public health field and challenges researchers to recognizes bias.

Audio

Families Choose Empathy Over 'Tough Love' To Rescue Loved Ones From Opioids

Martha Bebinger | NPR |

Families are starting to adopt an approach that stresses compassion instead of harsh consequences for loved ones with addiction. Their goal? Keep them alive long enough to recover.

Trump Administration To Overhaul A Program Designed To Save Medicare Money

Phil Galewitz | NPR |

The federal government will overhaul accountable care organizations, an Obama-era innovation. The change could lead to a dramatic decrease in hospitals and doctors participating in the program.

Sending Letters About Their Patients' Overdoses Changes Doctors' Prescribing Habits

Sara Kiley Watson | NPR |

Many doctors never find out when a patient dies from an overdose. A new study shows that when find out, it can alter the way they prescribe addictive drugs.

Medicaid Officials Target Home Health Aides' Union Dues

Shefali Luthra | NPR |

The Trump administration has proposed a rule that would prohibit some home health workers from having union dues deducted from their paychecks. The rule would likely undercut unions' power, all agree.

Boxers Or Briefs? Experts Disagree Over Tight Underwear's Effect On Male Fertility

Paul Chisholm | NPR |

The jury's still out on whether underwear preference matters to male fertility, but men who wear briefs, or other tight options, were found to have slightly lower sperm counts in a new study.

Pregnancy Debate Revisited: To Induce Labor, Or Not?

Richard Harris | NPR |

Young women with simple pregnancies can safely ask a doctor to induce labor, a study finds. It doesn't increase their risk of needing a C-section after all and can even offer potential benefits.

Audio

Babies Who Seem Fine At Birth May Have Zika-Related Problems Later, Study Finds

Rob Stein | NPR |

The largest study to follow women infected with Zika while they were pregnant finds about 6 percent of children had problems at birth, but 14 percent had complications by their first birthday.

Genetic Tests Can Hurt Your Chances Of Getting Some Types Of Insurance

Michelle Andrews | NPR |

Federal law keeps insurers from using genetic test results when pricing and issuing health insurance. But the tests might keep you from being able to get life insurance or a long-term-care policy.