Latest KFF Health News Stories
Attack On Asthma: Scrubbing Homes Of Allergens May Tame Disease And Its Costs
A pilot program to asthma-proof homes in Baltimore shows that even without intensive professional cleaning services, families can learn to substantially reduce home allergens on their own.
Absent Federal Action, States Take The Lead On Curbing Drug Costs
Congress has yet to take substantive action on this growing consumer concern, but a number of states are flexing their cost-control muscle.
Gun Sellers Join Forces To Curb Suicide-By-Firearm, Rampant In Rural Areas
New research suggests that efforts to address climbing rates of rural suicide must focus on safe access to firearms. State-based coalitions are attempting just that.
Baltimore Draws 10-Year Blueprint To Cut Racial Health Disparities
Officials aim to bring elevated rates of lead poisoning, heart disease, obesity, smoking and overdoses among Baltimore’s African-Americans closer to those of whites.
Para muchos en la creciente comunidad latina de Baltimore, el cuidado de salud es un desafío
Los latinos, con o sin seguro, enfrentan muchos desafíos cuando se trata de encontrar cuidado médico.
A Young Latina In Baltimore Struggles To Keep Her Family Healthy
Immigration status and low incomes are barriers to health care and health insurance for many.
For Many In Baltimore’s Growing Latino Community, Health Care Is A Challenge
Many immigrants lack access to affordable services due to lack of citizenship and legal residency.
Is There Gunk On Your Greens? 4 Things To Know About The Listeria Recall
The FDA issued a big recall of frozen foods this week. Here’s what you need to know about the nasty bug that’s causing all the problems.
Maryland Seeks Federal OK To Speed Ex-Inmates’ Medicaid Access
Maryland proposes an innovative program to temporarily enroll former inmates in Medicaid with few questions asked.
HHS Acts To Help More Ex-Inmates Get Medicaid
Obama administration broadens eligibility for those in halfway houses, but advocates for former prisoners say HHS and states must do far more.
Three Hospitals Hope To Spark A Reduction In Surgeries By Inexperienced Doctors
The prestigious facilities are seeking to improve patient safety by getting surgeons and hospitals to pledge to meet minimum thresholds for 10 high-risk procedures.
Thousands Leave Maryland Prisons With Risky Health Problems But No Coverage
Maryland’s prisons and jails release thousands of inmates each year without helping them enroll in Medicaid, jeopardizing their health and putting communities at greater risk.
In West Baltimore, Scarce Pharmacies Leave Health Care Gaps
CVS rebuilt a store destroyed by protesters after Freddie Gray’s death last year, but a shortage of quality pharmacies means low-income residents still have unmet needs.
Hospitals Eye Community Health Workers To Cultivate Patients’ Successes
These non-medical workers are increasingly being seen by hospitals as a critical point of contact for patients and a way to help hold down readmission rates and improve health outcomes.
In Freddie Gray’s Neighborhood, The Best Medical Care Is Close But Elusive
Last year’s Baltimore unrest highlighted deep distrust between police and poor African-Americans. Dozens of interviews and little-seen data show a similar gap between that community and the city’s renowned health system.
Video: Baltimore Hospitals Work To Repair Frayed Trust In Black Communities
The neighborhoods where people live and work often determine their health. Nowhere is that more true than in West Baltimore.
Quest For Blood Pressure Cuff Highlights Inequality
For a West Baltimore woman, buying a blood pressure cuff means hours on the road.
At Clinic, Poverty Magnifies Health Problems
Staff see high rates of chronic illness and mental health issues related to trauma.
Hospital Trying To Win Community’s Trust
Bon Secours is dealing with patients who are sicker than those in other Baltimore hospitals.
Map: In Poor Baltimore Neighborhoods, Life Expectancy Similar to Developing Countries
In Sandtown, where Freddie Gray lived and the median household income is less than a quarter of Roland Park’s, the life expectancy is 70 years. That matches the average life expectancy in North Korea, an impoverished dictatorship where millions suffer from chronic undernourishment, according to the United Nations.
