Primary care access translates to fewer STIs in women
Greater access to primary care doctors resulted in fewer sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women, a U.S. study found.
The study of 666 women in five southern states found that greater neighborhood healthcare access was associated with fewer STIs. “A lack of healthcare access can translate to more people with undiagnosed and untreated STIs,” lead study author Danielle F. Haley, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill told Reuters. (Journal of the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association)
Elderly patients may not hear what doctors tell them
Older patients may not ignore what doctors and other healthcare providers tell them, they may not hear the medical information.
With hearing loss becoming more common among people over age 60, a study by researchers in Ireland found that roughly four out of every 10 older patients said they had misheard a doctor or nurse during a primary care visit or hospital stay. (JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Surviving an overdose not a deterrent to opioid use
A new study found that Medicaid enrollees continued to use opioids even after overdosing. The study examined data from more than 6,000 Medicaid patients who were treated for an overdose in Pennsylvania.
The study noted that for every fatal opioid overdose, there are approximately 30 nonfatal overdoses. In cases where people receive medical attention, there is a chance for healthcare providers to intervene and mitigate risk by reducing opioid prescribing or advocating addiction treatment. But those potential interventions are underutilized. (JAMA)
New guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure in kids
With a growing number of children having high blood pressure, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released a new set of screening and treatment guidelines.
The group estimated that 3.5% of children in the United States have hypertension or chronic high blood pressure. The new guidelines include a new set of standards for blood pressure measurements in children. (Pediatrics)