Awareness

LGBTQIA Health Needs and Disparities

Evan O'Connor

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) individuals are members of every community. They are diverse, come from all walks of life, and include people of all races and ethnicities, all ages, all socioeconomic statuses, and from all parts of the country. The healthcare needs of LGBTQIA people are sometimes unique and often overlooked, contributing to health disparities experienced by vulnerable populations.

Experts report that LGBTQIA people often avoid seeking out medical care or refrain from “coming out” to their healthcare provider. This compromises an entire community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals who are at increased risk for several health threats when compared to heterosexual or cisgender peer groups: Gay men are at higher risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections; lesbians are less likely

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Safety

Preventing Overburdening Through Social Distancing

Evan O'Connor

Americans are currently experiencing an epidemic caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. At the time of publishing, there are over 7000 cases of COVID-19 in the United States and more than 100 Americans have died. The numbers are growing exponentially every day as testing has been slow to implement and official messaging has confusingly contradicted itself at times and dangerously downplayed the risks at others. 

The coronavirus is easy to pass from person to person, and people may be contagious even without presenting any symptoms. While most people may not be at risk of lasting harm or death from COVID-19, it poses a significant risk to older people and those with compromised immune systems. Epidemics take a toll on healthcare services as the system is burdened with people seeking care, which also puts vulnerable people at higher risk of death. It is for that reason that it is everyone’s job to follow social distancing measures to avoid spreading illness to others, and keep the epidemic in slow motion.

“Social distancing” is a term applied to actions that are meant to stop or slow

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Safety

How To Practice Patient Safety As A Patient

Evan O'Connor

Patient safety is a discipline that emphasizes safety in healthcare through the prevention, reduction, reporting, and analysis of incidents that lead to adverse effects. In 2016, such occurrences cost the U.S. and European healthcare systems $317.93 billion and are expected to rise to $383.7 billion by 2022. The bulk of these costs are directly associated with additional medical expenses, followed by increased mortality rates and loss of productivity. When indirect costs are accounted for, the estimated economic impact skyrockets to nearly $1 trillion annually. 

Data indicates that the average cost per incidence of preventable harm is approximately $58,776 per injury. Medicare and other insurers usually don’t cover the cost of medical treatment related to adverse events and the remaining costs are typically externalized through malpractice insurance. The patients themselves typically shoulder indirect costs and the economy at large also suffers through disability payments, lost productivity and other associated costs.

While patients may not be in control of preventing all possible harm,

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Drug Discount Card, NeedyMeds

All About the NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card

Evan O'Connor

For over 10 years, the NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card has been helping patients afford their prescriptions. To date, we have saved patients over $280 million on the price of their medications. The free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can be used anywhere in the country at over 65,000 participating pharmacies including all of the major chains, to save up to 80% on the cash price of your prescriptions. There are no income, age, or immigration status restrictions. There is no activation or registration needed and no personal information is taken when using our card.

The only rule is that you can’t combine insurance with the NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card. If you’re uninsured, you can use it any time you are purchasing a medication. If you have health insurance, the card can fill in the gaps in your coverage. For example, if you have any medications not covered under your insurance or if you have a high copay or deductible you could try using the card instead of your insurance. You can also use the card on

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Health, Healthcare Reform, Patient Advocate, Safety, Social Media and Healthcare

Social Justice and Health

Evan O'Connor

Social justice is the concept that all individuals deserve equal rights and opportunities — including the right to health. Even in 2020, inequities remain in healthcare that are avoidable, unnecessary, and unjust. These inequities are the result of established policies and practices that maintain an unequal concentration of money, power, resources, and perceived value within society among communities based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, country of origin, or disability. Racism, homophobia/transphobia, and misogyny are all insidious forms of bigotry that have long-reaching effects into healthcare.

Over 30% of medical expenses faced by communities of color can be associated with health inequities, and are more likely to be affected by conditions

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