Health Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Healthedly Insurance Services

American Red Cross blood crisis: How can we help?

As of January 14, 2022, 68% of blood centers in the U.S. have under 3 days of blood supply. This is the minimum necessary to meet regular demand.

Under normal circumstances, the Red Cross supplies 40% of the U.S.’s national supply that hospitals use. However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has seen a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood.

To solve this shortage, the Red Cross is raising awareness and urging individuals to donate blood.

“All types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood crisis,” wrote the American Red Cross in a press release.

If there is not an immediate opportunity available to donate, donors are asked to make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead to ensure the Red Cross can replenish and maintain a sufficient supply. Blood cannot be manufactured, and there is no alternative treatment for blood transfusion. It is therefore crucial for people to donate to save lives.

One unit of blood is equal to 500 milliliters. The American Red Cross predicts that 29,000 units of red cells are needed daily in the U.S. The average red cell transfusion is around three units. Yet, a car accident victim may require as many as 100 units. However, not everyone has been equally affected by the nationwide shortage.

During the initial phase of the pandemic in the U.S, the supply decreased.

However, our use decreased concurrently as elective and non urgent surgeries were canceled across the country. As these surgeries resumed, collection centers were unable to keep up with the demand.

One of the major reasons collection centers have been unable to keep up with the demand? Many of the ways in which people used to give blood have been curtailed or canceled. This is due to continued COVID-19-related restrictions.

Despite some loosening of these restrictions in various parts of the country, the repeated surges of COVID-19 disease have continued to depress donations. Many hospitals and other organizations are sponsoring blood drives. However, the return on these is also decreasing. This means successive drives are not garnering the same amount of donations as they did in the past.

For more information on health insurance or healthy tips, visit us through Healthedly Insurance Services to learn more.

January 21, 2022

What We Know About Covid-19 and Its Variants

COVID-19, General, Health, Health Resources

COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve and mutate, causing much concern in the medical community.

Here are some important things to know about COVID-19 and its variants:

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus:

Experts classify COVID-19 as a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes.

COVID-19 can be severe:

COVID-19 can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Some people may develop severe illness, including pneumonia, and may require hospitalization. COVID-19 can also be deadly, particularly for older adults and individuals with certain underlying health conditions.

COVID-19 variants are emerging:

There are several COVID-19 variants that have emerged, including the B.1.1.7 variant that was first identified in the United Kingdom and the P.1 variant that was first identified in Brazil. Experts believet these variants to bemore contagious than the original strain of the virus.

Vaccines are effective against COVID-19 variants:

Some COVID-19 variants may be more transmissible. Regardless, the vaccines that are currently available effectively combat them.

It is important to continue following public health measures:

While the vaccines are an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, it is still important to continue following public health measures such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus and its variants.

If you or someone in your family is worried about health insurance coverage and want to learn your options, reach out to a Healthedly agent by calling 855-522-2201.

November 30, 2021

Need for Improved Maternal Healthcare for Black Mothers

General, Health, Individual and Family, News

There have been various efforts in the past to address the disparities in maternal healthcare faced by African American mothers and to improve maternal health outcomes for all mothers. These efforts have included legislation, policy initiatives, and programs at the federal, state, and local levels.

Here are several reasons why African American mothers need better maternal healthcare:

African American mothers are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African American mothers are more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States.

African American mothers are more likely to receive inadequate prenatal care.

This can lead to poorer birth outcomes and increased risk of complications.

African American mothers are more likely to face discrimination and racial bias in the healthcare system.

This can lead to poorer quality of care and poorer health outcomes.

African American mothers often face social and economic barriers to accessing healthcare

This includes a lack of insurance or transportation.

Overall, improving maternal healthcare for African American mothers will require addressing these and other systemic issues, such as addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to quality care for all mothers. Thankfully, Congress passed a new bill in February, 2021, called the Maternal Health Momnibus. This bill introduces pivotal legislation that will make healthcare more accessible to minority groups, including African Americans.

It is important to continue working towards improving maternal healthcare for all mothers, and particularly for those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged. This can include efforts to address healthcare disparities, increase access to quality care, and support mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth.

If you are seeking affordable health insurance options but aren’t sure of where to look, start with Healthedly. Our agents will send you a free quote and answer any questions you might have about everything insurance.

November 23, 2021

How Cleaning Reduces Workplace Illness and Health Care Costs

Flu Season, General, Health, Health Resources, Small Business

How cleaning reduces workplace illness and health costs

Making sure to keep your work environment sterile helps to reduce workplace illnesses and healthcare costs in several ways:

Removing germs and contaminants:

Regular cleaning can help to remove germs and contaminants from the workplace, which can help to reduce the risk of illness. This is particularly important in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is easily spread through respiratory droplets.

Improving workplace air quality:

Regular cleaning can also help to improve air quality in the office by removing dust, pollen, and other allergens that can contribute to respiratory problems.

Reducing absenteeism:

When employees are sick, they are more likely to be absent from work. By reducing the risk of illness in the office, cleaning can help to reduce absenteeism, which can in turn help to reduce the cost of lost productivity.

Reducing healthcare costs:

By reducing the risk of illness in the workplace, cleaning can also help to reduce healthcare costs. This is because individuals who are healthy are less likely to require medical care. This can help to lower overall healthcare costs.

Overall, maintaining a clean workplace can help to create a healthier and more productive environment. This can help to reduce workplace illnesses and healthcare costs.

Are you a business owner seeking a group plan for employee coverage? Healthedly should be your first and last stop. Our agents will send you a free quote and answer any questions about enrollment that you might have! Give us a call at 855-522-2201!

November 2, 2021

Making healthcare accessible to local farmers

General, Health, Individual and Family

Healthcare needs to be more readily available to farmers. Why? Well, here’s quite a few compelling reasons that support this belief:

Farmworkers face unique health risks:

Unfortunately, farmers face exposure to a range of health risks due to the nature of their work, including exposure to pesticides, heavy lifting, and working long hours in harsh weather conditions.

Access to healthcare remains limited in rural areas:

Many farmworkers live in rural areas where access to healthcare stays fairly limited. Subsequently, this makes it difficult for them to get the medical care they need when they need it.

Farmworkers contribute to the economy:

Farmworkers play a vital role in the economy by producing the food that we eat. Ensuring that they have access to healthcare can help them to stay healthy and productive.

The healthcare needs of farmers remain overlooked:

The healthcare industry often overlooks the needs of farmworkers, as they are a small and dispersed population. Giving healthcare access to farmworkers may ensure that their needs get addressed and that they receive the care they need.

Providing healthcare to farmers can have positive spillover effects:

Providing healthcare to farmers can have positive spillover effects on their families and communities, as healthy farmworkers are better able to contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.

Are you looking for more affordable health insurance? If yes, then start today with Healthedly, chat with an agent, we will send you a free quote for a healthcare plan that works for you!

July 23, 2021

What it’s really like as a transgender person to get medical care

General, Health

It can be extraordinarily difficult for transgender people to receive medical care. The following reasons may shed light on this issue.

Lack of insurance coverage:

Many transgender individuals do not have insurance coverage for transition-related care, such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery.

Limited availability of providers for transgender individuals:

There may be a limited number of healthcare providers who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to the needs of transgender patients.

Discrimination and stigma against transgender people:

Trans individuals may face discrimination and stigma when seeking medical care, which can deter them from seeking the care they need.

Unaffordable costs:

Transition-related care can be expensive, and many trans individuals may not be able to afford it.

Lack of cultural competency:

Some healthcare providers may not be familiar with the unique healthcare needs of trans individuals, which can lead to misunderstandings and inadequate care.

Legal barriers:

In some states, there may be legal barriers that make it difficult for trans individuals to access transition-related care.

Looking for health insurance but unsure of where to start? Healthedly will provide you with a free quote and assistance getting enrolled in a health insurance plan that is right for you!

July 1, 2021

Immigration a Net Positive for Healthcare Funding in the U.S.

General, Health, Individual and Family

Studies show that immigration positively affects healthcare funding in the United States. We found numerous reasons why this is the case.

Contributions to the economy:

Immigrants contribute to the economy through their labor and spending power. This can help to generate revenue that can be used to fund healthcare.

Immigration lowers healthcare costs:

Immigrants, particularly those who are younger, may use healthcare services at a lower rate than native-born Americans. This greatly reduces overall healthcare costs.

Immigration increases cultural competency:

Immigrants bring diverse cultural perspectives and language skills to the healthcare system. This vastly improves the quality of care for patients from diverse backgrounds.

Workforce diversity:

Immigrants make up a significant proportion of the healthcare workforce, particularly in certain fields such as nursing. This can help to address shortages in the healthcare workforce and improve the availability of care.

Innovation and entrepreneurship:

Immigrants are more likely to start businesses and create new products and technologies. Thus, immigration drives innovation and growth in the healthcare industry.

Looking for a new health coverage plan? Here at Healthedly, our agents are always ready and willing to help you find the best coverage for your needs. Give us a call at 855-522-2201.

June 9, 2021

How Health Care In The U.S. May Change After COVID

COVID-19, General, Health, News

How Health Care in the U.S. May Change After the Pandemic

There are a number of ways that the healthcare system in the U.S. may change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How will U.S. healthcare change post Covid-19 Pandemic?

One possibility? Health experts predict a greater emphasis on preventative care and public health measures, such as widespread vaccination and more effective disease surveillance systems.

There may also be a shift towards virtual care and telemedicine. These types of healthcare have become more widely adopted during the pandemic as a way to limit the spread of the virus and provide care to patients without requiring in-person visits.

Additionally, experts foresee increased investment in research and development in order to better prepare for and respond to future pandemics.

Why are these changes to the healthcare system so important?

There are a number of reasons why it may be beneficial for the U.S. to implement these changes to its healthcare system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pandemic dramatically highlighted the need for a more resilient and agile healthcare system better equipped to respond to emergencies and public health crises. The current system struggles constantly to meet the demands of the pandemic, and making changes to improve preparedness and response capabilities could help to prevent similar situations in the future.

Another reason? The pandemic disproportionately affected marginalized and underserved communities, highlighting the need for greater equity and accessibility in the healthcare system. Making changes to address these issues could help to improve the health outcomes of these groups and reduce health disparities.

Finally, the pandemic had a significant economic impact, and making changes to the healthcare system could help to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Experts believe we can achieve this through a variety of means, such as investing in preventative care, streamlining the delivery of care, and implementing cost-saving technologies.

Looking for a health insurance plan but have no idea where to even start? Healthedly agents are excited to assist you with anything you might need, whether it is giving you a free quote or giving recommendations on the best provider for your needs. Call us at 855-522-2201!

May 28, 2021