WASHINGTON, DC – May 3, 2024 –  A recent article published May 3^rd in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, estimated premature deaths, cases of asthma in children, and whether there were any demographic disparities due to the use of gas stoves indoors. The authors calculated that exposure can contribute to almost 19 thousand premature deaths annually in the U.S. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide is associated with 200 thousand children with asthma. People living in small residences are more likely to be affected by the indoor air pollution of indoor gas stoves because the concentrations are higher. Disparities exist because lower resources people and minority racial/ethnic groups are more likely to live in smaller dwellings.

Gas stoves burn natural gas, which is comprised predominantly of methane, a greenhouse gas. The combustion products are nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and fine particulate matter. They have been linked to respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer and other medical problems.

Almost 13% of U.S. childhood asthma cases are associated with having a gas stove in the home according to a peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2022. This illness is more frequent in children of color and those living in low resource neighborhoods. Childhood asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations and missed school days.

Improving indoor air quality can reduce the incidence of childhood asthma. New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle have banned all gas stoves and appliances from new residential construction. However, gas stoves are still used in about 35% of American homes. Rob Jackson, a Stanford University gas stove researcher said, “No child should have asthma from breathing pollution from gas stoves when safer electric options are available.”

You can still use gas stoves if you reduce indoor air pollution or keep children and vulnerable older adults out of the vicinity. A gas stove needs to operate with an adequate ventilation system that removes the pollution before it is inhaled. Indoor emission concentrations can rise to unsafe levels if the ventilation system is inadequate or not operating when the stove is on. Indoor air pollution can also be reduced by opening windows while cooking. Warning labels are needed to protect people’s health by reducing the number of indoor gas stoves purchased.  The labels have been effective with cigarettes and other tobacco products.

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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RALEIGH, NC – May 3, 2024 – The latest update of the NC Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard was on May 3^rd. Last month, enrollment in NC increased by almost 31 thousand to more than 447 thousand people. Buncombe County enrollment increased by almost 800 to more than 11 thousand people. It is estimated that a total of 600 thousand North Carolinians will be eligible for ME, with almost 17 thousand from Buncombe County. In 5 months of accepting applications, the state is almost 75% of the way to enrolling all eligible persons and Buncombe County is 2/3^rds of the way there.

“From the day we launched Medicaid expansion, we’ve been committed to getting people covered and getting them care as fast as possible,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley in a press release. “We are doing that even faster than expected and ensuring North Carolinians receive the health information, support and care they need to help them stay healthy.”

On December 1^st, North Carolina officially became the 40^th state to expand Medicaid, the federal program for health insurance for low-resource individuals. ME increases health care access to eligible North Carolinians ages 19-64 and their families with earnings to 138 percent of the federal poverty level based on their household size, up from 100 percent. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) dashboard to track ME enrollment is at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/reports.

There are many ways to apply for NC Medicaid for eligible persons. Those who have not yet applied should visit Medicaid.nc.gov to see if they qualify. Applications can be taken by phone, email, fax, or in person. Buncombe County residents can apply for Medicaid online and at any time at ePASS.NC.gov. Applications can be done in-person at the HHS Building on 40 Coxe Avenue, by calling 828-250-5500, or by mail. A printable application can be obtained online at the NCDHHS website.

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ASHEVILLE, NC –  May 29, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on May 18^th shows:  

• About 1% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2^nd lowest level of 6 groups.
• Emergency room visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all ER visits

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on May 15^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 0-20%, the lowest level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has decreased from the previous week to between -99% to -10%, the lowest level of 2 groups with a negative rate of change.

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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UNITED STATES – May 16, 2024 –  Non-hormonal menopause medicines are new for the treatment of “hot flashes” and sleeplessness during menopause. However, they are expensive. Traditional medical treatment has included hormone replacement therapy (HRT) like estrogen and progesterone. However, some women can experience HRT-related medical problems like heart disease, blood clots, stroke, and hormone-sensitive cancers. Other drugs are recommended for the treatment of hot flashes but must be used off-label.

Menopause is when women stop having their monthly menstrual periods. The time leading up to menopause is called menopause transition or perimenopause. Menopausal transition usually occurs in women between ages 45 and 55 and lasts from 7 to 14 years, when there is a big drop in the production of estrogen and progesterone. Each woman can be affected differently.

Women in menopause can frequently suffer “hot flashes” and/or mood changes. Hot flashes include sensations of heat, sweating, flushing, and chills that lasts from 1-5 minutes. This occurs in more than 80% of women. Symptoms can recur for several years in most women. Hot flashes are directly related to the decreasing levels of estrogen. Mood changes can include anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. Hot flashes and mood changes vary in frequency and intensity for each woman.

Last year, the FDA approved the nonhormonal oral medicine fezolinetant [fe-zo-li-ne-tant], brand name Veozah [ve-o-zah], manufactured by Astellas. The drug can reduce hot flashes in almost half of the people who take it. It may not be as effective as HRT, which is effective in more than 90% of patients. However, Veozah may appeal to women who can’t or won’t take HRT. Side-effects are not common and may include liver disease and abdominal pain. Its cost is $550 a month.

Kaiser Permanente HMO requires that woman try 2 off-label drugs for menopause symptoms before taking Veozah. These drugs are gabapentin, FDA-approved for pain, and Effexor, an FDA-approved antidepressant.

On May 16^th, the pharmaceutical company Bayer announced the result of their clinical trial for its new nonhormonal medicine elinzanetant [e-lin-za-ne-tant] The drug reduced the number and severity of hot flashes, enhanced sleep, and improved quality of life. The drug is awaiting FDA approval. Its cost is not known, but it is anticipated to be similar to Veozah.

KFF has some suggestions if your insurance company won’t cover the cost of the medicine:

• Look at the insurance company website to learn how to be eligible for coverage
• Your doctor can assist with coupons, drug discounts, and writing letters to the insurance company recommending drug coverage
• You can appeal insurance denials

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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