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Almost half of Americans are now exposed to unhealthy air pollution
Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, April 23
Just over 156 million Americans, nearly half of the population, live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, according to a new report. That is an increase of almost 25 million compared to last year. The report found that extreme heat, wildfires and drought are degrading air quality across the United States. Hispanic people are almost three times more likely than white people to live in areas with failing grades in all three categories of pollution studied in the report. The findings come as the White House reconsiders EPA rules and regulations meant to curb pollution.
Medicaid cuts may disproportionately affect Black, Latino doctors and their patients
Nada Hassanein, Stateline, April 24
Los Angeles pediatrician and urgent care specialist Dr. Ilan Shapiro worries for his chronically ill patients as he watches Congress weigh cuts to Medicaid. Shapiro is a Latino doctor who works at a federally qualified health center for low-income patients. Most of his patients are people of color covered by Medicaid, and about a quarter of them are children. Research shows Latino and Black family physicians are more likely to see Medicaid patients compared with their white and Asian counterparts. Experts say cuts to Medicaid would strap health care centers that rely on already low Medicaid reimbursements.
CT health departments reel under federal funding whiplash; state scrambling for solutions
Sujata Srinivasan, Connecticut Public Radio, April 22
Local public health departments in Connecticut have begun laying off health experts and pausing important work due to federal funding cuts. The departments still face uncertainty while a court decides the fate of funding cuts issued by the Trump administration in March. That uncertainty has left local health departments to have to make difficult decisions. In Stamford, the director of health said the department had to eliminate employees working in contact tracing and immunizations, as well as terminate vaccination outreach-related contract work. Local health officials said the cuts are also impacting work in environmental health investigations and foodborne illnesses.
Fate of Black maternal health programs is unclear amid federal cuts
Ronnie Cohen, KFF Health News, April 22
Since 2000, an estimated 14,000 families in California have participated in Santa Clarita County’s Black Infant Health program and Perinatal Equity Initiative. The programs are aimed at decreasing racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Caseworkers and nurses visit new mothers at their homes and monitor their blood pressure, help with breastfeeding, and screen infants for developmental delays. Data show the programs have improved the health of enrolled women over the past decade. However, the county stands to lose more than $11 million in public health funds due to federal cuts to equity-related programs. Now, the programs’ future is unclear.
People in states with abortion bans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy
Shefali Luthra, The 19th, April 23
Pregnant people living in states with abortion bans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after, according to a new report. Black women are at greatest risk in states with bans, and are 3.3 times more likely to die than white women in those same states. Researchers compared pregnancy-related deaths in states where abortion is almost completely banned and where it is protected. “There are two Americas for reproductive-aged women and people who can become pregnant in the United States,” said Nancy Cohen, founder of the Gender Equity Policy Institute, which released the report. “One America, where you’re at serious risk of major health complications or death if you become pregnant, and one where you’re most likely to have a positive birth experience, a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child.”