October is Health Literacy Month - so experts are educating people on an important indicator of health - cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, leads to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which can cause a heart attack or stroke, the number one and four leading causes of death in California.

Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, a cardiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a past president of the American Heart Association, said LDL is a serious matter.

"We shouldn't mess around with this," he said. "People should know their numbers, and if they're inappropriately elevated for their situation, they should work with their doctor to figure out how they're going to lower their numbers, particularly that LDL or bad cholesterol."

A simple blood test can reveal your LDL level. People are at higher risk for disability or death if they also have diabetes or high blood pressure, if they smoke, or if they have had a prior heart attack or stroke. Medicine and changes to diet and lifestyle can make a big difference.

Lloyd-Jones added that genetics determine what a person's LDL range is likely to be, but there's no single magic number.

"For one person, we might say if you're young and healthy, an LDL cholesterol of 140 is fine for you. But for another person who already has cardiovascular disease or who has diabetes, 140 is way too high, and we need to get that down below 70 or even lower," he explained.

He added that about one-third of people are "hyper-absorbers", which means that dietary fat or cholesterol is more likely to elevate their blood cholesterol level.

The Missouri Foundation for Health has released two reports that reveal significant obstacles Missourians face in accessing affordable health care. The first report from "Speak Up MO" covers Missourians' health-care experiences, while the second, "Medical Debt in Missouri," focuses on policy solutions. The findings highlight disparities in access to care and the financial burden of rising healthcare costs. Alarming statistics show one in five Missourians reported being without health insurance at some point in the past year.

Samantha Bunk, health policy strategist with the Missouri Foundation for Health, warned the high cost of health care is causing further hardships for Missourians.

"When you can't afford your health care, obviously that can affect things like if you can afford your housing, your basic needs, food, paying your bills, things like that - and then when we get into talking about medical debt, which was the other report, that can always have effect in other ways as well," she explained.

22% of Missourians report struggling to secure a car loan, and one in five face difficulties when applying for an apartment or mortgage. The foundation plans to work on resolving the challenges with evidence-based policies and by working closely with communities.

The reports reveal that about two-thirds of respondents found accessing physical health care "very" or "somewhat easy." However, the findings highlight disparities across different groups, with women, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities reporting more significant difficulties in receiving the care they need. Bunk noted that rural residents encounter the biggest obstacles in accessing affordable health care.

"There are obviously fewer health-care facilities, one issue having to travel longer distances -- and then when it comes to medical debts, we also reported higher rates of medical debt with our polling as well," she comtinued.

The foundation is set to release its next report on economic well-being and personal finances, with a follow-up on civic engagement expected later this fall.

Colorado lawmakers are digging into the health and economic impacts of the state's poor air quality from wildfire smoke and ozone pollution created by oil and gas operations and tailpipes.

Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Lakewood, pointed to a new study showing bad air days are sending more Coloradans to the emergency room.

"Air pollutants have a really significant impact on the health of Coloradans, and we have the data to back it up," Cutter emphasized. "We also learned that our most vulnerable populations were impacted the most, and that's children under 18 and adults over 65."

In 2019, three quarters of counties affected by wildfire smoke saw an increase in emergency room visits. More people also sought emergency care during high ozone pollution days. The price tag for these ER visits: $1.4 billion.

Colorado has failed to meet Environmental Protection Agency ozone pollution standards for years and this past summer, the state violated ozone limits on 40 days, a near record. Wildfire seasons are projected to get longer in coming years and Cutter argued it is important to understand what's at stake for public health.

"We do know that there are increasing wildfires, in number and in intensity," Cutter noted. "It's largely because of climate change."

Recommendations from the Center for Improving Value in Health Care report included beefing up resources for emergency rooms in high-risk areas and making sure the state's most vulnerable residents can stay safe on bad air days. Cutter recently introduced legislation aiming to improve wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies. She stressed it is important to create policies to help build resiliency.

"Let's try to mitigate the impacts, with all the health issues and the poor air quality," Cutter urged. "But at the same time, let's prepare to deal with the things that we really know are going to keep happening."


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On this last day of Cholesterol Education Month, the American Heart Association is highlighting the importance of knowing your cholesterol numbers - especially your LDL, or bad cholesterol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas is one of 11 states with the highest cholesterol numbers in the nation.

Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Epidemiologist, Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, said a medical professional can determine your cholesterol level through a blood test.

"You can't feel your cholesterol level," said Lloyd-Jones. "There's only one way to know and that is to directly measure it with a blood test. And so it is one of those things that is truly silent and unless you actively pursue measuring it you'll never know. It's not something you can see or taste or smell."

High cholesterol can be hereditary. Some cases can be controlled through diet and exercise.

High cholesterol can be caused by a poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.

LDL, or bad cholesterol, transports cholesterol particles throughout your body that build up in the walls of your arteries - making them hard and narrow, increasing your chances of heart attack or stroke.

Lloyd-Jones, a past president of the American Heart Association, said your overall health also impacts how cholesterol affects you.

"For one person we might say 'well, for now an LDL cholesterol of 140 is fine for you, but were going to monitor that and you know make sure that it doesn't go up,'" said Lloyd-Jones. "But for another person who already has cardiovascular disease or who has diabetes, 140 is way too high."

Exercise helps boost your body's HDL, or the good cholesterol. Foods that can lower your bad cholesterol include beans, nuts, and whole grains.