Oklahoma Watch (https://oklahomawatch.org/category/publichealth/page/2/)
The state this week confirmed its first measles case of the year, which occurred as the nation is experiencing its largest number of measles cases in a quarter century. Here are answers to some common questions about the measles outbreaks, the first confirmed Oklahoma case and the state’s vaccination policies.
The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases and spread of drug-resistant germs will be the main topics of a public forum in Oklahoma City on May 21.
Two Oklahoma health care facilities are among those in 12 states that treated patients with a potentially lethal multidrug-resistant fungus that is emerging as a serious global public health threat.
Nearly eight years into addiction recovery, Nicole Zoellner is still paying off $180,000 in gambling debt.
Oklahoma has the nation’s second highest percentage of people without health insurance. Like Tim Cundiff of Stillwater, the uninsured risk financial ruin from a medical calamity.
Thousands of Oklahomans suffer from depression, sometimes to a debilitating degree. The problem is especially common and invisible among aging residents. Victor Guillermo, of Oklahoma City, an Air Force veteran, has struggled daily with depression since his wife died.
Thousands of Oklahomans with felony convictions could find it tough to obtain and keep health insurance – and rebuild their lives – if rules are approved that require many Medicaid recipients to work 20 hours a week.
Fewer people in Oklahoma City are homeless, according to the latest counts. But more are unsheltered at night, even in the dead of winter. So Oklahoma Watch asked those on the streets, “Where do you sleep?”
Hospitals are required to disclose prices for the first time, a move the industry fought for years. However, the prices may be of little help in deciphering byzantine medical bills or for comparison shopping because they don’t reflect what patients actually pay.
Oklahoma bucked expectations as enrollment on the federal health-care marketplace climbed to a record level for next year. But community groups say a slashing of help from outreach counselors could limit coverage of rural residents.