Bird Flu’s Flight
As infections and low egg supplies persist, avian flu remains an unpredictable health concern Soaring egg prices, purchase limits, empty shelves — since January, Americans who shop for eggs know the scene well. And as the ongoing bird flu outbreak rages, there’s no end in sight. The avian flu, or bird flu, has been wreaking […]
Understanding U.S. Healthcare Copays
Fact checked by Jim Lacy Copayments, coinsurance, deductibles…. Health insurance could have a dictionary all its own. Copays are out-of-pocket fees that range from a few dollars for routine doctor visits to hundreds or even thousands for prescriptions or specialty care. Copays emerged in the mid-20th century as employer-sponsored health insurance plans gained popularity. Initially, […]
Mind, Body, Spirit
How Jewish traditions inform care for adults with disabilities Fact checked by Jim Lacy Shana Erenberg, PhD, listened closely one morning as her friend Baruch Schur shared a concern with her: He needed to move his son Josh out of state due to the lack of disability services in Chicago. Erenberg felt compelled to act. With […]
Cancer’s Younger Scope
More people under age 50 are facing cancer diagnoses, at a stage when they’re just figuring out their lives Fact checked by Jim Lacy A cancer diagnosis at any age is life-altering, but a growing body of evidence reveals a troubling rise in cancer diagnoses among individuals, particularly women, under 50. Women in this age […]
Measles Misery
As the once-eliminated respiratory virus spreads across the U.S., health experts encourage vaccination in Chicago Fact checked by Ros Lederman The United States is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with 607 confirmed cases across 21 states as of April 3, 2025. The surge has resulted in three known deaths as of April 6. At […]
No Comment
HHS cuts public comment periods, sparking concerns over transparency Fact checked by Katie Scarlett Brandt The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revoked a 50-year-old rule that required public input on key regulatory decisions. The move could significantly alter how healthcare policies are shaped. The Richardson Waiver, in place since 1971, ensured […]
Our Top 10 Stories of 2024
One of the best things about the new year is reviewing our most-read articles from the previous year. This exercise gives us an opportunity to find out what our readers most wanted to read, to remind ourselves of the health events that unfolded, and to review our breadth of coverage and our writers’ talents. […]
Fear of Radiation
Advancements in radiation are changing the field, but many people remain worried about treatment Kevin Connor, a 51-year-old Chicago resident, faced a daunting decision this past year when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite a troubling family history and his own deep-seated fears, Connor was at first adamant about avoiding treatment. “I remember telling […]
Hands-on Hearts
3D printing provides physicians a crucial tool for cardiac care Maybe you already know that nearly half of all U.S. adults have cardiovascular disease. This includes people with coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and high blood pressure. But would you have guessed that one of the latest weapons to help fight this battle is […]
A Reimbursement Blow to Anesthesiologists
In a controversial policy change, BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) no longer reimburses anesthesiologists for physical status modifiers that classify the complexity of patients. The new policy went into effect in August 2024 for BCBS plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Complex patients typically have multiple or severe health conditions; they may require advanced […]
Emergency Response
ER physicians battle on the frontlines of gun violence response Fact checked by Shannon Sparks When someone gets shot in Chicago, the effects echo far beyond the wounded person. They envelope the person’s family and friends, the first responders on the scene, and the physicians and medical teams who treat them in the hospital. […]
DNC Ready
How Chicago hospitals are preparing for the Democratic National Convention As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches, Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, the city’s hospitals are intensifying their efforts to ensure they can handle any situation. The city is expecting tens of thousands of delegates, media, and visitors expected to converge on the United Center — […]
