Health

12 Health & Fitness The state Insurance Department sharply reduced requested rate hikes through the exchange, but rates are still going up significantly. Rich Scinto , Patch Staff Posted Replies CONNECTICUT — The state Insurance Department sharply reduced rate hike requests from insurance carriers on the state health insurance exchange, but the new rates are still a significant hike for families. Here are five things to know about the rate changes and high cost of healthcare: What are the new rates? Insurance carriers proposed an average increase of 20.4 percent for individual plans, which was reduced by the Insurance Department to 12.9 percent. Carriers asked for an average 14.8 percent increase for small group plans, but that was reduced to 7.9 percent. Individual plans on the exchange cover about 111,000 people, while group plans cover about 23,800 lives. Insurance Department reductions will save … [Read more...] about CT Approves New Health Insurance Exchange Rates: 5 Things To Know

0 Health & Fitness Updated federal data shows how many hospital beds are currently filled in Cook County and across IL. Local Data , Patch Staff Posted Reply NORTH CENTER-ROSCOE VILLAGE, IL — A fourth surge of coronavirus infections has already begun to overwhelm hospitals in parts of the country. Areas with lower vaccination rates are suffering worse. Nationally, the seven-day average of new cases, which had fallen steadily from its peak of nearly 250,000 in January, is rising again, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Over the week ending Aug. 3, new cases averaged more than 89,000, a level not seen since February. An average of about 43,000 people across the country were hospitalized with COVID-19 between July 27 and Aug. 2, according to the CDC. That's the highest seven-day average since early March 2021, though still below the January peak of nearly 137,000 patients. State health officials … [Read more...] about Hospital Capacity In North Center-Roscoe Village Area: Update

0 Health & Fitness The rate of new cases has decreased recently in Cook County. Local Data , Patch Staff Posted Reply NORTH CENTER-ROSCOE VILLAGE, IL — The discovery of the omicron coronavirus variant has caused a new wave of anxiety among scientists and world leaders. The heavily mutated variant has been spotted in at least five states. “This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” President Joe Biden said in prepared remarks Monday. “We have the best vaccine in the world, the best medicines, the best scientists. And we’re learning more every single day.” The delta variant continues to be the dominant strain in the U.S. Cook County has a "high" level of coronavirus transmission as of Dec. 3, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were 179.4 new cases per 100,000 residents between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1. The positive test rate was 4.6 percent between Nov. 23-29, … [Read more...] about Cook County Coronavirus Transmission ‘High’: CDC

0 Health & Fitness Here's an update on how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected hospital capacity in Cook County and across IL. Local Data , Patch Staff Posted Reply NORTH CENTER-ROSCOE VILLAGE, IL — Coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in the U.S., but coronavirus hospitalizations haven't risen as quickly so far. Still, hospital systems across the country are feeling the stress from additional patients. Nationally, about 76 percent of all inpatient hospital beds were occupied as of Jan. 4, and about 16 percent of all beds were occupied by patients with COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Intensive care unit beds are also filling up, with 78 percent occupied nationally. About 26 percent of ICU beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients. More than 85 percent of ICU beds were filled in nine states plus Washington, D.C. COVID-19 patients accounted for more than a third of ICU beds … [Read more...] about Hospital Capacity In North Center-Roscoe Village Area: Latest

(BPT) - No place in your home has the potential to blend utility and luxury quite like the shower. When you step into that space, it's about more than getting clean. It's your own little oasis in a busy world where you can rejuvenate and focus on self-care. If your current shower leaves something to be desired, it's time to invest in your house and in yourself with an upgrade. Whether your budget allows a complete remodel or you simply want to enhance the current space, here are three elements to elevating the shower with touches of luxury and lasting appeal. Timeless design Design trends come and go, so when you're deciding on the design components for your shower, consider a timeless aesthetic and high-quality materials that will last. For example, the Statement Showering Collection re-envisions showering at the most basic level and brings a range of unique shapes and sizes to the shower, breathing new life into well-loved standards and marrying the latest in technology … [Read more...] about 3 elements to transform your shower into a soothing oasis

(BPT) - People go to great lengths to reduce their odds of getting cancer. Many of us wear sunscreen, avoid processed foods, have regular checkups and eat organic produce, but what if your risk is hereditary rather than environmental? Read on to learn more about hereditary cancer and what you can do to learn about and manage your risk. 1. More than 10% of cancers are caused by inherited mutations in specific genes. News stories about Angelina Jolie and other celebrities have made people aware that mutations in one of the BRCA genes can cause breast and ovarian cancer, but that’s not the whole story. Mutations in other genes can cause a condition known as Lynch syndrome which leads to a very high risk for colorectal, endometrial and other cancers. Although fewer people are aware of Lynch syndrome mutations, they are actually even more common than BRCA mutations. Inherited mutations in many other genes are also linked to an increased risk for breast, colorectal, … [Read more...] about 7 Things Everyone Should Know About Hereditary Cancer

(BPT) - Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) — part of RWJBarnabas Health, the largest and most comprehensive academic healthcare system in New Jersey — is completely reimagining cancer care. The Livingston, New Jersey-based facility recently broke ground on a five-story, 137,000-square-foot cancer center on its hospital campus. The $225 million, freestanding outpatient facility, scheduled for 2025 completion, will serve as the northern hub for the integrated oncology services offered by RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This innovative care model is transforming the delivery of cancer services across New Jersey, bringing groundbreaking discoveries, clinical research and expertise from Rutgers Cancer Institute to patients close to home. “The new Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center will be a regional destination for cancer care, building on the … [Read more...] about Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Breaks Ground on $225 Million Comprehensive Cancer Center

Around 1,000 food workers at San Francisco International Airport went on strike on Monday morning demanding higher pay after contract negotiations stalled out. The strike will affect dozens of food outlets and deny travelers prepared foods unless replacement workers are found. Some packaged foods will still be available at retail shops. Anand Singh, president of Unite Here Local 2, the food workers’ union, said workers and a group of restaurant owners remained “very far apart” in negotiations. Workers make an average of $17.05 an hour and want higher wages and to maintain their current health care benefits. :Nine months of negotiations got us nowhere, and SFO’s food service workers are tired of working two or even three jobs just to survive,” Singh said in a statement. The union estimates around 10% of workers are working two different jobs across two businesses to earn enough to survive. Maria Soza Rodriguez worked for more than a decade at both a Burger King and Urban … [Read more...] about SFO food workers launch strike for higher pay

0 Community Corner The U.S. is experiencing a severe blood supply shortage. Local News , Patch Staff Posted Reply NORTH CENTER-ROSCOE VILLAGE, IL — The Red Cross is asking people to make a blood donation during the holiday season. The country's blood supply is at its lowest level in a decade for this time of the year, according to the Red Cross. At least 10,000 donations are needed per week for the next several weeks to meet demand. People who give blood or plasma between Nov. 29 and Dec. 16 will be entered for a chance to win a private screening of The Matrix Resurrections. The winner plus 50 friends will be able to see the movie in a theater, plus the Red Cross will give the winner a $750 gift card for concessions. Those who donate between Nov. 29 and Dec. 16 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card. Below is the info for a Red Cross blood drive coming up in the North Center-Roscoe Village area in the next few … [Read more...] about Blood Donations Needed In North Center-Roscoe Village Area: Red Cross Drive Coming Up Soon

0 Politics & Government With gun-related homicides up by more than 15% in Cook County this year, President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by County officials at th ... Press Release Desk , News Partner Posted Reply Press release from the Cook County Government: June 4, 2021 Cook County Health and Justice Advisory Council Allocate Resources for Violence Prevention With gun-related homicides up by more than 15% in Cook County this year, President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by County officials at the Medical Examiner’s Office today to observe the sixth annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day. “The violence across our County, particularly in our black and brown communities, is absolutely devastating,” said President Preckwinkle. “Each one of our residents deserves to feel safe walking in their neighborhood, pumping gas at the local gas station and just sitting on their front stoop. Right now, that is not the case … [Read more...] about Cook County Government: President Preckwinkle Observes Gun Violence Awareness Day With Call To Action