Helpful Health Care Links: October 31, 2014

The word Health surrounded by a collage of words related to healThis week, our helpful health care links focus on a variety of topics — an update on new Ebola quarantine guidelines and a breakthrough in medical research with the approval of a new Meningitis vaccine. We also included an informative article from NPR about some important things to consider before undergoing surgery. All are worth your time. And, as always, if you ever come across a healthcare story that you think merits more attention, please send it our way!

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Obama Defends U.S. Ebola Guidelines, Backs American Volunteers in Africa (Reuters)

President Obama stated that the adopted policies in the U.S. shouldn’t discourage those who wish to fight the West African Ebola outbreak. Instead they should be applauded, and, when they return, authorities can work with them to make sure they are monitored prudently when they return.

Patients Do Better After Surgery If They Do ‘Prerehab’ First (NPR)

Patients are encouraged to participate in a rehabilitation program after a surgery, but research is showing that beginning that plan pror to the procedure could speed up recovery.

First Vaccine for Deadly Form of Meningitis Approved in the U.S. (The Washington Post) 

The FDA approved a vaccine for one of the five forms of the deadly disease bacterial meningitis.

Arsenic in Gluten-Free Food: How Worried Should You Be? (NPR)

For those who suffer from Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, rice-based foods and flours tend to be a popular solution for a wheat-free diet. However, trace elements of arsenic have been found in many of these foods.

Petition Drive To Limit Hospital Charges Gets OK From State (Crain’s Detroit Business)

The Board of State Canvassers in Michigan approved a petition drive to limit what hospitals can charge the uninsured and underinsured.

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Helpful Health Care Links: October 24, 2014

Doctor and Patient 2This week, our helpful health care links focus on two main topics — what you need to know about all of the Ebola talk going around in the news and some important things to consider about looking health insurance open enrollment deadlines. We also included a fun story from ABC News about some strange-but-true health tips. All are worth your time. And, as always, if you ever come across a healthcare story that you think merits more attention, please send it our way!

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Only 11 Percent of Uninsured Know About Obamacare’s Next Open Enrollment (New York Times)

Open Enrollment is coming up in November, but a recent survey of the nation’s uninsured shows that only 11% of this demographic are aware of when Open Enrollment takes place.

As Researchers Develop Ebola Vaccine, Early Human Clinical Trials Show Promise (Washington Post)

Clinical trials on a new Ebola vaccine are considering it safe, but testing in areas of West Africa where the disease is prominent may be difficult.

6 Strange-But-True Health Tips (ABC News)

We are always trying to find ways to stay healthy. Here are 6 Tips that you may have never thought of.

Ebola Q&A: National Expert Jeffrey Band on Risks, Hospital Preparation in Michigan (Crains Detroit)

See what Jeffrey Band (Chairman of Epidemiology at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital) has to say about the risks of the Ebola epidemic reaching Michigan and how Beaumont Hospital is preparing.

How to Pick the Right Health Plan for 2015 (Wall Street Journal)

There are many changes taking place this Open Enrollment with regards to employer-sponsored healthcare plans. Make sure you are aware of the changes and which plan will best suit your medical needs.

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assisted_smallHow do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

Available for download NOW!

Helpful Health Care Links: October 17, 2014

surgery_picEvery week, there are hundreds of health care stories posted online and it can be hard to keep track of what’s important and what’s worth reading. With that in mind, every Friday, the team at MyHealthSpin is going to be collecting some of the most significant health care links of the week and presenting them for your reading pleasure. And, if you ever come across a healthcare story that you think merits more attention, please send it our way!

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What to Expect When You Have Surgery (Wall Street Journal)

Some interesting new programs are helping patients weigh the pros and cons of electing to have surgery.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Our Response to Ebola Right Now (WhiteHouse.gov)

The official website of the U.S. President has put together a breakdown of their response to the recent Ebola scare and a list of what the average America should know about Ebola.

U.S. Finds Many Failures in Medicare Health Plans (New York Times)

Federal officials have begun taking punitive action against Medicare health plans that improperly reject claims from their customers.

The Flu and You: Advice for Fighting Flu This Season (Well & Wise)

It’s flu season and everyone has their own home remedies. But, if you’d like some more professional advice, this link collects a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid the flu this year.

Dr. Oz’s Smart Patient Checklist (Doctor Oz)

The popular TV doctor offers some advice on how you can be more proactive and take charge of your own healthcare.

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assisted_smallHow do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

Available for download NOW!