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Lebanese children have been displaced; hospital facility fees have cost Colorado patients $13 billion; and a Wyoming county without a hospital is finally getting one.

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Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas warns about false claims affecting FEMA's hurricane relief, Vice President Harris prepares for a Fox News interview, and local Democrats want more election funds in key states.

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Hurricane Helene devastated the Appalachians and some rural towns worry larger communities could get more attention, ranked choice voting on the Oregon ballot next month gets mixed reviews, and New York farmers are earning extra money feeding school kids.

Report: PA needs work on managing, preventing chronic conditions

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Tuesday, December 26, 2023   

Pennsylvania ranks 23rd among states for the overall health of Pennsylvanians in a new America's Health Rankings report by the United Health Foundation.

According to the report - nationally, eight chronic conditions have reached the highest prevalence in the report's history.

Through its five departments, the Health Promotion Council - a subsidiary of Public Health Management Corp. Pennsylvania - supports programs and services, and advocacy in the community.

That's according to Gina Trignani, Health Promotion Council's director of training and capacity building. She added that her department works on chronic disease prevention and management, with a focus on diabetes.

"So - diabetes, self management, education and support, and the National Diabetes Prevention Program," said Trignani. "So, our goal is really to help increase outreach and recruitment and promotion of the programs to try and get people to enroll. And participate in the programs that are offered throughout the state."

Trignani pointed out that the National Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to help people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes prevent or delay the onset of the disease.

She added that the program helps people lower weight by 5% to 9%, and recommends people increase physical activity to 150 minutes a week, and make healthier food choices.

Dr. Rhonda Randall - chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual - said more than 29 million adults in the United States are living with three or more chronic conditions.

She revealed that the research also includes some good news.

"The number of mental health professionals in our country increased 7%," said Randall. "The number of dental professionals increased 7%. The percentage of uninsured decreased 7%. Occupational fatalities went down. Smoking is now the lowest it's been since we've been measuring it."

She emphasized that more people are living with chronic conditions, and fewer physicians are available to treat them.

The report found a 13% decrease in primary-care physicians during the pandemic.




Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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