Latest news with #NYCHealth+Hospitals
Politico
a day ago
- Health
- Politico
Efforts to bolster organ donation in New York
Beat Memo Thousands of New York residents are waiting for a kidney transplant, and a long-delayed state program could soon spur more donors. The state Department of Health recently laid the groundwork for a new initiative to reimburse living organ donors for expenses not covered by insurance — over two years after lawmakers passed legislation to establish a living donor support program. Up to $14,000 in financial assistance would be available for lost wages, travel, food, lodging, child care, elder care and health care costs related to the donor's organ removal surgery. 'By further removing financial barriers, more New Yorkers will be empowered to become a living donor and give the enormous and selfless gift of life,' Cadence Acquaviva, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said in a statement. Because living donors can only give a kidney — or parts of their lung, liver and pancreas — the program is expected to be particularly helpful to kidney failure patients, who comprise roughly 7,000 of the 8,000 New Yorkers waiting for an organ transplant. New Yorkers awaiting an organ transplant could also benefit from a bill known as the HEART Act, which passed both chambers last week. If signed, the Helping Equal Access to Registrations for Transplants Act would repeal a 35-year-old ban that prevents New Yorkers who need a transplant from enlisting with multiple transplant centers. The goal is to increase the likelihood that people receive a transplant and to reduce their wait time by a matter of years. The measure received bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate. 'Through the HEART Act, we're creating a more equitable system and saving the lives of hundreds of New Yorkers,' bill sponsor Sen. April Baskin said in a statement. 'This is just one more step in our continuous work alongside legislative leaders and Donate Life New York State to strengthen the organ donation system and create a giving culture across the state.' IN OTHER NEWS: — NYC Health + Hospitals will expand its hospital-based violence interruption programming to Bellevue and Elmhurst Hospitals in the coming year, as the system continues work to unify its approach to treating victims of violent trauma and addressing gun violence as a public health crisis. 'Violence is more than a criminal justice issue — it is a public health crisis with a prescription that demands a coordinated, holistic public health response,' NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz said in a statement Friday. 'By unifying our Hospital-Based Violence Interruption Programs, we are advancing a systemwide model of trauma-informed care that meets victims at their most vulnerable moments and supports them through long-term healing.' — Two lawmakers are calling on the state Department of Health to allow Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medication, Assemblymembers Karines Reyes and Jeremy Cooney wrote in a letter Thursday. In their letter to state Health Commissioner James McDonald, Reyes and Cooney said the lack of access to GP-1 medications among low-income communities creates a systemic bias. 'Medicaid recipients represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our healthcare system, and they deserve the same opportunity to benefit from life-saving treatments that are already transforming health outcomes across the state,' Reyes and Cooney wrote. ON THE AGENDA: — Monday at 1 p.m. The City Council hosts an oversight hearing on the state of older New Yorkers' mental health. — Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. The Early Intervention Coordinating Council will convene. — Friday at 10:30 a.m. The state Health Equity Council will meet. MAKING ROUNDS: — Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, announced plans to retire at the end of the year after 24 years leading the trade association. GOT TIPS? Send story ideas and feedback to Maya Kaufman at mkaufman@ and Katelyn Cordero at kcordero@ Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. What you may have missed — The 'aid-in-dying' bill is set to pass the Senate in the final days of the legislative session, Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins confirmed to reporters Thursday. The decade-old proposal would allow doctors to prescribe euthanizing medication to patients with terminal illnesses. It passed the Assembly by a narrow margin in April. Stewart-Cousins confirmed Thursday that a majority of members in her conference said they will vote in favor of the measure, POLITICO Pro's Katelyn Cordero reports. ODDS AND ENDS NOW WE KNOW — Most Americans are worried about the impact of Congress' proposed Medicaid cuts, a new poll shows. TODAY'S TIP — With whooping cough on the rise, here's what you need to know about staying protected. STUDY THIS — A new study by researchers at the University of California finds a link between iron deficiency and Crohn's disease. WHAT WE'RE READING — CDPAP check-in: where the state's controversial home care consolidation stands. (Crain's New York Business) — In axing mRNA contract, Trump delivers another blow to U.S. biosecurity, former officials say. (KFF Health News) Around POLITICO — Trump's NIH budget plan would make competing for grants much harder, Erin Schumaker reports. — Via POLITICO's Carmen Paun: Trump doesn't want the WHO's advice. It's giving some anyway. — The stealth Senate dealmaker who could deliver Trump tax cuts, Benjamin Guggenheim reports. MISSED A ROUNDUP? Get caught up on the New York Health Care Newsletter.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Yes, pneumonia can be contagious. But here's why it depends on the form.
Yes, pneumonia can be contagious. But here's why it depends on the form. Show Caption Hide Caption Medications can add to heat related illnesses Extreme heatwaves can trigger heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but health experts say some people on specific medications can be more prone to these types of risks. Fox - Seattle For the second half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th, pneumonia was a leading cause of death that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Sir William Osler – usually considered the father of modern medicine – described pneumonia at the time as "the most fatal of all acute diseases" because it killed about one in four of the people it infected during the Civil War. Thanks to advancements in modern medicine, though, pneumonia in the U.S. is not as fatal as it once was. Still, some 41,000 people in the country die from the disease every year – and more than 1.4 million people still visit an emergency room because of it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here's what pneumonia is, what causes it and how the disease is usually treated once it has been diagnosed. What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that exists inside of the lungs, says Dr. Jillian Diuguid-Gerber, an internal medicine specialist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. She explains that it's what happens when the tiny air sacs inside of the lungs (called alveoli) fill with fluid or pus. This can lead to clogged airways or inflammation that can make it difficult to breathe. Telltale shortness of breath, rapid breathing or other breathing difficulties are the most worrisome symptoms of pneumonia, as they "can be a sign of low oxygen levels," says Diuguid-Gerber. But breathing difficulties are not the only symptom of the disease. Other symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, sweating "and fever and cough are especially common," says Dr. David Levine, pediatrician and the Chief of Ambulatory Pediatrics at the Atlantic Health System's Goryeb Children's Hospital in New Jersey. Symptoms of pneumonia can be concerning in anyone but are especially problematic in children as their lungs are still developing; they have smaller airways than adults. "Pneumonia can also be very worrisome in people with weakened immune systems and with existing lung problems," adds Diuguid-Gerber. Did you see? COPD can be debilitating. What exactly is it? What causes pneumonia? Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, "but usually when people are thinking of pneumonia, they are thinking of the kind caused by bacteria," says Diuguid-Gerber. She explains that the most common bacteria to cause the disease is called Streptococcus pneumoniae, but other bacteria can also cause it. These include Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Beyond bacteria, "viruses are also common causes of pneumonia," says Diuguid-Gerber. These include any virus that can affect the respiratory system, including influenza (flu) viruses, the adenovirus (similar to the common cold), RSV, human metapneumovirus and the coronavirus (COVID-19). While bacteria and viruses are behind most pneumonia cases, Levine says that fungi can also cause pneumonia. Pneumocystis jirovecii and Histoplasma capsulatum are the types of fungi most commonly responsible. The cause of the disease also determines whether pneumonia is contagious or not. The viral forms of it that are most contagious are transmitted "through respiratory droplets being released into the air when a person coughs, sneezes or even talks," says Levine. Heads up: RSV is common and sometimes dangerous. Here's what to know. How is pneumonia treated? Regardless of what has caused the disease to develop, symptoms of pneumonia are often targeted through everyday remedies like getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated with plenty of fluids using a humidifier to soothe irritated airways and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to treat discomfort. Hospitalization may be needed in order to provide oxygen support or intravenous hydration. Treating the cause of the disease can often be done with nothing more than "at-home care," says Levine, "but some cases of the disease require antibiotics." Antibiotics only treat bacterial forms of pneumonia, however, and antiviral medications are used to treat viral forms for the disease, Diuguid-Gerber explains. Antifungal medications are usually needed to treat fungal pneumonia. The discomfort of pneumonia and associated treatment can often be altogether avoided through vaccination. "Getting the pneumonia vaccine, flu vaccine or COVID vaccine could all help prevent pneumonia," says Diuguid-Gerber. Indeed, pneumonia vaccines have been shown to be between 45% and 75% effective in preventing the disease, depending on what type of pneumonia you're dealing with. And even if you're among the people who get pneumonia despite having gotten the vaccine, Levine adds, "vaccines can prevent many of the worst outcomes of the disease."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Child found without parent near Bronx playground: NYPD
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) – Police are searching for the parent of a child found near a Bronx playground on Sunday. The NYPD says the boy, believed to be 2 to 3 years old, was discovered near 710 Courtland Ave. around 3 p.m. An adult was not with him at the time, according to authorities. More Local News Police said he was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln to be evaluated. The boy was wearing a yellow shirt with black stripes, black and white striped shorts and black sandals when he was found, according to authorities. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Medscape
05-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Exercise Can Help Protect Against Cancer Fatigue, Depression
Lingering fatigue and depression are more common among women than men cancer survivors and often lead to a decrease in recreational physical activities in all patients, new data showed. However, moderate physical activity was linked to an almost 50% lower risk for cancer-related fatigue, and both moderate and vigorous physical activity were associated with a two- to fivefold reduced risk for depression among cancer survivors, according to the analysis presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025. The findings 'highlight the importance of providing special attention and tailored interventions such as exercise programs, support groups, and mind-body behavioral techniques for vulnerable groups to help effectively manage fatigue and improve participation in recreational activities as they are an essential aspect of quality of life,' Simo Du, MD, a resident at NYC Health + Hospitals and Jacobi Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, said in a news release. Du noted that, during her residency, cancer-related fatigue was a common complaint among patients, affecting 'not just their daily activities but also their overall quality of life and mental health, making tasks like climbing stairs, doing groceries, or laundry overwhelming.' Cancer-related fatigue affects more than 80% of patients who receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy, while depression affects around 25% of patients. Unlike typical fatigue, cancer-related fatigue can linger for weeks, months, or even years after treatment, Du explained. Despite its high prevalence, cancer-related fatigue remains 'overlooked and undertreated,' she noted during a conference press briefing. In addition, cancer-related fatigue can affect men and women differently. To investigate further, Du and her colleagues analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1552 cancer survivors (736 men and 816 women). After adjusting for age, race, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities, women cancer survivors were more likely to experience fatigue (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; P < .017) and depression (OR, 1.32; P = .341) related to their cancer compared with men cancer survivors. Du said there are likely multiple reasons behind the sex differences observed. Women may, for instance, be more likely to experience side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, and long-term use of endocrine treatments because of slower drug clearance, which can lead to higher concentrations and a stronger immune response that may heighten inflammatory side effects. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, cancer-related fatigue (OR, 1.93; P = .002) and depression (OR, 2.28; P = .011) were both strongly associated with reduced moderate recreational activities, such as brisk walking, biking, golfing, and light yard work. The data also showed a protective role for physical activity. For patients who engaged in moderate physical activity, their risk for cancer-related fatigue (OR, 0.52; P = . 002) and depression (OR, 0.41; P = .006) was significantly reduced, Du reported. For depression (but not cancer-related fatigue), 'the higher the intensity of physical activity, the higher the protective effects, with almost 4-5 times the reduction of the depression,' Du noted. Although the NHANES uses standardized protocols designed to minimize biases, Du said a limitation of the current study is the use of self-reported data and the fact that women could potentially overreport fatigue symptoms and men could potentially underreport symptoms of depression. Looking ahead, Du and her colleagues are planning studies to assess the effectiveness of tailored interventions on cancer-related fatigue and explore the connection between cancer-related fatigue and different mechanisms, such as inflammatory markers, to see if gender modifies the association. Commenting on the study for Medscape Medical News , Jennifer Ligibel, MD, a senior physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, said that, because the dataset is cross-sectional, it is unclear whether people who were more tired weren't exercising or if people who weren't exercising were more tired. However, Ligibel explained, a huge body of literature has demonstrated that exercise is 'the most efficient remedy for fatigue,' and it likely helps with depression too. In fact, in a recent survey of cancer patients conducted by the American Society for Clinical Oncology, slightly more than half of patients reported that their oncologist talked about exercise and diet during clinic visits, Ligibel said. Provider recommendations for exercise and diet were associated with positive changes in these behaviors. 'Roughly half of oncologists now give exercise advice; that figure is a lot more than it was a few years ago, but it's still not universal,' Ligibel said.
Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Do healthy breakfast cereals exist?
I love cereal, but sometimes, it seems nutritionally no better than dessert. Are healthier options available? And if so, how can I find them? There is a lot to love about cereal. It is often delicious, easy to prepare, available in seemingly endless varieties and flavours, and can contain beneficial nutrients. But with that abundance comes many ambiguous or misleading health claims, and ingredients you may not associate with good health. Better-for-you options do exist, experts say, but finding them can be daunting. Here are their tips on how to do it. Flip the box It may sound counter-intuitive, but the first step to choosing a healthy cereal is to ignore the front of the box, said Dr Preeti Kishore, an endocrinologist at NYC Health + Hospitals in the Bronx. Some cereals have front-facing claims that seem to imply healthfulness, such as that they are good for your heart or immune system, can lower cholesterol or are made with real fruit. But their nutrition labels may tell a different story. Some, for instance, have as much – if not more – added sugars and calories as some desserts. And many are made with refined grains, which are quickly digested and can spike your blood sugar, leaving you hungry afterwards, said dietitian Maddison Saalinger at the University of Miami. Over time, diets high in refined grains can increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases. Even some cereals with claims such as 'immunity support' do not have any supporting evidence, Dr Kishore said. Prioritise whole grains Whole grains are an essential part of a healthy diet. They are loaded with nutrients such as B vitamins, iron, magnesium and antioxidants, as well as heart- and gut-healthy fibre. Grains are considered 'whole' when they contain all three parts of the kernel: the endosperm (rich in carbohydrates), the germ (containing nutrients such as B vitamins, folate and healthy fats) and the bran (full of fibre). Refined grains, on the other hand, have been stripped down to just one of their parts, Ms Saalinger said, which removes the grain's full range of health benefits. And refined grains are less filling and sating than whole grains. Look for phrases such as whole grain wheat, whole grain oats, whole grain corn and whole grain brown rice on the ingredients list. And prioritise cereals that have those ingredients listed first, which signals that they are present in greater amounts, said dietitian Adern Yu at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, California. If you see ingredients such as wheat flour or corn flour, that indicates the presence of refined grains. Find your fibre sweet spot Most adults do not get the recommended 21 to 38g or more of fibre a day. Many higher-fibre cereals – such as the Fiber One Original Bran Breakfast Cereal (18g a serving) or Nature's Path Smart Bran (17g a serving) – can help you meet that goal. But if you are not used to consuming that much fibre at once, it can cause unpleasant side effects such as bloating or gas, Ms Saalinger cautioned. To ease into a higher-fibre cereal, choose a variety with at least 5g of fibre a serving, Dr Kishore said. From there, you can work your way up. Watch for hidden sugar Federal health experts recommend that most people consume fewer than 50g of added sugars a day. The American Heart Association sets a stricter limit of no more than about 25g a day for women and 36g a day for men. Some breakfast cereals, even ones marketed as 'healthier', can contribute substantially towards that limit. A serving of Honey Nut Cheerios, for instance, has 12g of sugar; Cracklin' Oat Bran has 15g. To help avoid consuming too much sugar in a day, Ms Saalinger suggested choosing cereals with less than 8g of added sugars a serving. And watch out for hidden sources of sugar on the ingredients list, Dr Kishore said. High-fructose corn syrup, fruit-juice concentrate, honey and agave nectar are all just other names for added sugar. Do not get distracted by 'extras' Many breakfast cereals are fortified with added nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals or protein, for example. If you are deficient in certain nutrients, these might be beneficial, Dr Kishore said. But if you follow a balanced diet, you are most likely already receiving enough, she said. And these added vitamins and minerals will not cancel out other, less healthful aspects of a cereal. Certain added nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins can taste chalky, bitter or metallic, she said, so manufacturers sometimes add more sugar to balance them out. The bottom line Although it is indeed possible to find a healthy cereal, experts cautioned that it should not be your only breakfast option. Incorporating other foods – such as eggs or chia seed pudding – into your morning meals can help you get a healthy balance of nutrients. With a little meal prep, these alternatives can be just as quick and convenient as cereal, Dr Kishore said. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
