Reading Room
The reading room includes articles and videos of potential interest to consumers and medical professionals. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the NC Medical Board, its members and staff.
WHO Names Top 13 Global Health Challenges for the New Decade
Medscape
January 14, 2020
With a new year and new decade here, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released a list of 13 urgent global health challenges. Developed with input from WHO experts around the world, the list is varied and includes stopping infectious diseases and preparing for epidemics, protecting adolescents, elevating health in the climate debate, and delivering healthcare in areas of conflict and crisis.
The High Cost of Having a Baby in America
The Atlantic
January 6, 2020
For women in many developed countries, having the baby—not paying for it—is the hard part. Giving birth in Finland, for example, will set you back a little less than $60. But in the U.S., the average new mother with insurance will pay more than $4,500 for her labor and delivery, a new study in Health Affairs has found.
Number of Americans with a primary care provider declined 2% over a decade, new study shows
FierceHealthcare
December 17, 2019
Despite the health benefits, fewer Americans have a primary care provider, according to a new study.
The First African American Face Transplant
NPR
December 19, 2019
In 2013, Robert Chelsea was hit by a drunk driver and sustained third-degree burns on more than half of his body. Nearly six years later, he became the first African American recipient of a full face transplant. We talk with Chelsea and Jamie Ducharme, a Time staff writer who followed his journey, about the procedure and how his story could help encourage organ donation by African Americans.
‘Food Pharmacies’ In Clinics: When The Diagnosis Is Chronic Hunger
Kaiser Health News
December 10, 2019
There’s a new question that anti-hunger advocates want doctors and nurses to ask patients: Do you have enough food?
Public health officials say the answer often is “not really.” So clinics and hospitals have begun stocking their own food pantries in recent years.
One of the latest additions is Connectus Health, a federally qualified health clinic in Nashville, Tenn. This month, part of LaShika Taylor’s office transformed into a community cupboard.
Read More…Men and women aren’t equal when it comes to concussion
Mosaic Science
December 6, 2019
Women athletes are twice as likely as men to get concussed – and the effects are more severe. But with research focusing mainly on men, what can we do to make sure women with concussion aren’t left behind?