You are viewing the "Patti Neighmond | NPR" Archives
![The pandemic has left many people unable to get needed medical care, or to delay care for a serious problem, an NPR poll finds. Such delays have often wound up hurting people's health.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-09-17-hospitalaccess_final-ccabaf3af895306dcdb5e535e36c78ee7752ca87-e1600386322698-900x422.jpg)
About 1 In 5 Households In U.S. Cities Miss Needed Medical Care During Pandemic
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Some people have skipped care because of finances or fear of the virus, doctors say. Others find medical practices closed to new patients. Many are suffering health consequences, an NPR poll finds.
![A bed with a clock over it](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AP_456082580723-e1591136028332-900x422.png)
How To Get Sleep In Uneasy Times
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Many people are struggling with insomnia like never before. Specialists explain why these times put an extra strain on our ability to get needed rest — and what to do about it.
![In light of the spread of COVID-19, some U.S. health insurers have begun to allow patients to order a larger emergency supply of their routine medicines for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/gettyimages-88160320-380a490d14a6457572b2b5d7b38896059f13d6c4-e1583785824324-900x422.jpg)
How To Boost Your Emergency Supply Of Prescription Medicines
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Insurers have begun easing restrictions on refills of some prescription drugs, in light of coronavirus. Still, co-pays for stocking up on that bigger supply can be prohibitive, say consumer advocates.
![The first U.S. case of COVID-19 was treated at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. Robin Addison, a nurse there, demonstrates how she wears a respirator helmet with a face shield intended to prevent infection.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ap_20024808688603-2d9f66ab201e33e8cca5dcc6d4f4aadfd61431cc-scaled-e1581699267120-900x422.jpg)
Would the U.S. Health System be Ready for a Surge in Coronavirus Cases?
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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So far, only 15 cases of coronavirus disease have been identified in the U.S. But if large numbers of people were to suddenly get infected, would hospitals be prepared to cope?
![More Americans are getting less than seven hours sleep in the last several years, especially in professions like health care.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sleep-deprived-doctor-76ba4fd1111ce91b80e73cf53d32a7a712bc4cb5-e1572273388589-900x422.jpg)
Working Americans Are Getting Less Sleep, Especially Those Who Save Our Lives
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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The number of workers getting less than seven hours of sleep a night is rising. Stress and our culture of constant connection may be to blame.
![Though complications from the flu can be deadly for people who are especially vulnerable, including pregnant women and their newborns, typically only about half of pregnant women get the needed vaccination, U.S. statistics show.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/flu_shot-1-1a97a383a30108c720c8bd87bf5699b5b630b1a0-e1571678448981-900x422.jpg)
Get Your Flu Shot Now, Doctors Advise, Especially If You’re Pregnant
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease are particularly vulnerable to flu complications yet lag the elderly in getting vaccinated.
![Timely support and treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can help children focus and thrive, pediatricians say. But it takes close follow-up after diagnosis to tailor that treatment and avoid drug side effects.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/gettyimages-1005339078-d502815c75e82477c9a2ed8115b6266bbc2d267c-e1565877913305-900x422.jpg)
Most Kids On Medicaid Who Are Prescribed ADHD Drugs Don’t Get Proper Follow-Up
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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An inspector general report from the Department of Health and Human Services found that 100,000 kids who were newly prescribed ADHD medication didn’t see a care provider for months afterward.
![For most of us, the benefits of a walk greatly outweigh the risks, doctors say. Get off the couch now.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gettyimages-692776843-40d36b0aab0ce0fdb2e3490f057cf78bc7234368-e1552323231965-900x422.jpg)
Walk Your Dog, But Watch Your Footing: Bone Breaks Are On The Rise
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Maybe it’s just because a large number of older people have learned the benefits of exercise and canine companionship. Whatever the reason, walking a dog on a leash has been linked to more fractures.
![Frank Lettiere's eyebrows and eye lashes froze after his walk along Lake Michigan's Chicago shoreline Wednesday. Frostbite warnings were issued for parts of the U.S. Midwest, as outside temperatures plunged.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gettyimages-1091567918-c63262f0a3608959998815d1bce94c7a26fb606e-e1548943870701-900x422.jpg)
Medical Effects Of Extreme Cold: Why It Hurts And How To Stay Safe
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Frostbite can nip ears in just a few minutes in the sort of temperatures many Americans are facing this week. Pull that hat down and curb the drinking; alcohol can impair your judgment of temperature.
![Unless you're an extreme athlete, recovering from an injury, or over 60, you probably need only 50 to 60 grams of protein a day. And you probably already get that in your food without adding pills, bars or powders.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/e8a9991-ebd9d8808fad38a197932403c1a1529fcd276860-e1543857428553-900x422.jpg)
How Much Protein Do You Really Need?
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Protein snacks and supplements are popular, but unless you’re an extreme athlete or recovering from an injury, you may already get enough protein in your diet. Here’s how to tell how much you need.
![Describing how pain affects your daily activities may be more effective than the standard pain scale.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/npr-pain-1-4b7e78b3ecd1126815f0c5a87e5c616bf400d7e4-e1532363043668-900x422.jpg)
Words Matter When Talking About Pain With Your Doctor
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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When you go to the doctor in pain, you’ll probably be asked to rate your discomfort on a scale of 0 to 10. But doctors say there may be a better way to assess pain.
![Equinox's rope class involves exercising with a jump rope.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/equinox-1-efb2b1561df57da8c021364aa47d61368091ffb3-e1530132830218-900x422.jpg)
Top Fitness Trends For 2018: Back To Basics
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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A survey of fitness professionals who keep track of how we exercise suggests 2018 is likely to find more of us trading fitness gadgets for high-intensity interval training and group classes.
![A serving of salmon contains about 600 IU of vitamin D, researchers say, and a cup of fortified milk around 100 IU. Cereals and juices are sometimes fortified, too. Check the labels, researchers say, and aim for 600 IU daily, or 800 if you're older than 70.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/gettyimages-98359073-1-7de8cba30b444dfb789047596239bffaf1d0c7d0-e1528999208877-900x422.jpg)
Does Vitamin D Really Protect Against Colorectal Cancer?
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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The jury’s been out on whether low vitamin D blood levels increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers say a new review involving more than 12,000 people strongly suggests the answer is yes.
![](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/colon-cancer-82b37eec5990942c6dffd2804a6da28896aedaac-e1527716358820-900x422.jpg)
Get Screened Earlier For Colorectal Cancer, Urges American Cancer Society
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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Noting a sharp rise in colorectal cancer among younger people, the American Cancer Society now suggests that healthy adults get their first screening five years earlier — at age 45.
![](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/back-pain-abf8f073d5f4d1e40df57af01497f7ff9ad0dd03-e1527185897769-900x422.jpg)
Trying Physical Therapy First For Low Back Pain May Curb Use Of Opioids
By: Patti Neighmond | NPR
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A study of patients with low back pain finds that those who got physical therapy first needed fewer pricey scans and surgeries and had “significantly lower out-of-pocket costs” for treatment overall.