As modern medicine and technology evolve, we’re constantly adopting new approaches to healthcare. In 2019, cybersecurity, telehealth and wearable health monitors topped the list of emerging industry trends.
What can patients expect in 2020? A recent study from the National Business Group on Health previewed the top healthcare trends to keep an eye out for this year:
- Overall, there will be a continued commitment to quality care.
- As the stigma around mental health continues to dissipate, employers will start providing employees with the support they need. In fact, 48 percent of employers surveyed said they aim to offer mental health issues training.
- Virtual healthcare solutions will grow exponentially. Patient care through apps and video technology will become increasingly popular at various levels of the healthcare system, from sleep management to prenatal care.
- Rx Prices will continue to rise as more high-cost procedures and medicines hit the market in 2020.
Nearly 80 percent of Americans believe the cost of prescription drugs is “unreasonable” and should require more government regulation, underscoring the importance of strategies to keep costs down.
Paramount Rx is working to help ease the burden of rising prescription costs, with programs like Community Cares Rx that could help you save an average of 50 percent on your prescriptions. Online tools are also available to help you find the best possible price on your medications. Print out a free prescription discount card at www.communitycaresrx.com. A digital version of the card is also available via text or email.
For more details on Community Cares Rx and other programs that provide cost savings on prescription medications, please visit www.paramountrx.com.
It’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and kicking off 2020 on the right track. It’s no surprise that health related resolutions, from losing weight to cutting out junk food, top many people’s list each year. But being healthy goes beyond just physical appearance, so this year consider the aspects that impact your overall wellbeing, like relationships and mental health. More...
It’s that time of year again. The days are getting colder and shorter, and you start hearing about the latest strain of the flu. Before you consider skipping your flu shot this year, read about the few simple steps you can take to protect you and your family. More...
Great strides are being made to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. With World Mental Health Day around the corner on October 10, take the opportunity this month to learn more about the steps you can take to improve your mental wellbeing. More...
If you experience chronic pain, you’re not alone. According to the U.S Pain Foundation, more than 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. September kicks off Pain Awareness Month, providing the ideal opportunity to reevaluate your pain and consider new methods to help manage it. Here are three tips to keep in mind this month. More...
With summer winding down, it’s time for parents to start thinking about the back-to-school season. A new school year means kids are exposed to new classmates, new teachers and often, new germs. It’s important for you to help your child start the year off happy and healthy - and while the transition from summer fun to school days can be stressful, you can set your child up for success by introducing healthy habits into back-to-school planning. More...
Whether having a picnic, going to the beach or simply exploring nature, the summer months are often spent enjoying exciting outdoor activities. While you and your family are having fun in the sun, your skin might be simultaneously suffering from sun exposure. More...
Knowing the facts about immunizations is imperative to the health of you and your family. Last month, the CDC celebrated the 25th anniversary of National Infant Immunization Week, an annual observance dedicated to highlighting the importance of immunizations for infants and celebrating the achievements of immunization programs. From birth, children are at risk of many diseases that can be prevented with vaccinations. It’s important for parents to stick to an immunization schedule for their children – and because of these schedules, many of the diseases that vaccinations help prevent against are considered rare.
Before a vaccine was introduced in 1963, there were 4 million measles cases with 48,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths throughout the U.S. every year. The measles virus is one of the most infectious diseases known to humans but by 2000, because of widespread vaccinations leading to the reduction of outbreaks and deaths, the virus was declared eliminated in the U.S.
However, recent news of measles outbreaks is making headlines each week. The U.S. is seeing a record number of measles cases and according to the World Health Organization, there has been a 300 percent rise globally in measles cases so far this year, compared to the same period in 2018. Already in 2019, health officials reported the highest number of measles cases since 1994, with more than 700 people infected.
In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week and the importance of immunization programs, here are four reasons why everyone who can be vaccinated should be vaccinated, from the CDC.
- Vaccines are safe and effective – Receiving vaccines may involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, but that temporary inconvenience protects you and your children.
- Vaccines protect your loved ones – Not everyone is able to be completely vaccinated, as some babies are too young and people with certain allergies, illnesses or compromised immune systems may not be able to receive vaccinations. To help keep them safe, it’s important that anyone around them who can be vaccinated, are.
- Vaccines save time and money –A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be kept out of schools or daycare facilities. A prolonged illness can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills, or long-term disability care. In comparison, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance. If you need help navigating pricing for vaccines or prescription drugs, visit communitycaresrx.com
- Vaccines protect future generations –Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations before. For example, your children don’t have to get smallpox shots anymore because the disease no longer exists. If we keep vaccinating now, parents in the future will have one less thing to worry about.
New legislation in state governments may play a role in vaccination requirements in the future, but there is no time like present to protect your family from preventable diseases.
For more details on Community Cares Rx and other programs that provide costs saving on prescription medications, please visit www.paramountrx.com.
Prescription drug use has led to longer lives and much needed relief for many Americans. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that a majority of Americans (59 percent) believe prescription drugs developed over the past 20 years have generally made the lives of people in the U.S. better – with nearly four in ten saying they have made people’s lives “a lot better.” More...
Over the past 12 years, the cost of popular prescription drugs has increased at more than four times the rate of inflation. It’s no surprise that a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that the majority of uninsured adults in the U.S. are struggling to pay for their prescription medications, and seeking out alternative therapies and options to help keep costs down. More...