By Fatima Mirza
- October 10th marked World Mental Health Day, observed in part to raise public awareness about mental health issues and provide a forum for conversation amongst leading policy makers.
- According to a recent New York Times article, California has embraced federal health care reform. The state has already expanded Medicaid coverage for the poor and is building the country’s largest state-run health insurance exchange.
- Doctors at Massachusetts community health centers have been advised not to authorize any patients to obtain marijuana for medical purposes despite the state’s new law. As use remains illegal under federal law, these federally funded facilities may lose funding, the Boston Globe reported.
- This week, Japan became one of the first countries to sign a historic new international convention to reduce emissions and releases of the toxic metal into air, land, and water and to phase out many products that contain mercury. The Minamata Convention on Mercury was formally adopted as an international law on October 10th.
- A new study published in this month’s edition of Health Affairs suggests that slowing the aging process could save the U.S. trillions of dollars. The results highlight substantial health and economic returns may warrant a new focus for medical research.
- House Republicans argued for delays in ACA penalties this week, citing technical difficulties during the early stages of open enrollment. This would include alterations in the tax penalties for people without insurance in 2014.
- A recent article in The New York Times highlighted the high costs of treating the most common chronic disease that affects Americans of all ages, asthma. From insurance companies that only partially cover the costs of medication to pharmaceutical policies, the article outlines the various factors that have caused this phenomenon.
- Bloomberg reported that the EU spent 126 billion euros on cancer costs in 2009. A recent study provides insight into the health care spending patterns, and may help officials choose where to spend to fight the disease.