Category: Archived

Mental health treatment funding in Colorado

Congratulations Katie!

Solutions reporter Katie Kerwin McCrimmon has been named Media Representative of the Year by the Colorado Healthcare Communicators. Since the 1970s, the Colorado Healthcare Communications has honored communications professionals across the state. Every year members nominate a representative of the news media who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to health care reporting. This year that award was given to McCrimmon.

REACH: Interval training so bad it’s good

By Mark Siebert Do you want to get the most calorie burn out of your workout? Are you finding that you are hitting a plateau? Interval training could be a great option. Interval training is alternating high intensity activity with lower intensity activity. Whether your exercise of choice is walking, running, using cardio equipment or group exercise, intervals can help you get the most from your efforts. After prolonged exercise at the same intensity, your body naturally adapts and becomes more efficient, needing less effort to perform the same activity. Adding intervals can help provide that high intensity exercise in…

Opinion: The perils of privatizing health care American-style

By Donna Smith As health systems around the world grapple with the increasing costs of providing health care for their citizens, far too many are considering more extensive privatization of their systems to emulate the U.S. health care model. This is a mistake not only from an economic perspective but also from a human rights and public health position. As one of the people deeply injured by the profit-driven U.S. health system and as a professional advocate for a universal, public model that provides health care without financial barrier, I know that more privatization of any health system allows for…

REACH: Get movin’

By Maren C. Stewart I am excited to announce the launch of our statewide Colorado Get Movin Challenge to help motivate thousands of Coloradans to kick-start a healthier lifestyle through physical activity while also demonstrating that we are the most active state in the nation. As Coloradans, we are proud of the active lifestyle our state offers. Yet, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 52 percent of Colorado adults achieve the recommended 30 minutes of daily activity, and 18 percent reported no physical activity during the last month. The Colorado Get Movin Challenge,…

REACH: Make time to meditate

By Liza Schrank An ancient mind-body practice, meditation uses breathing to quiet the mind and help us become more present in what we do. It is rooted in Eastern religion, and while there is no consensus on the definition of meditation, it has been described as a defined technique, logical relaxation, and a self-induced state. Other elements may include a state of psycho-physical relaxation, self-focus, mental silence (or an altered state of consciousness), a mystic experience, enlightenment or suspension of logical thought processes. One of the many beauties of meditation is that it allows us to become more mindful in…

Collaboration targets reducing hospital re-admissions

By Diane Carman Its much easier to develop innovative health care initiatives in Colorado because were not having the conversation about whos the biggest Bolshevik, said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet at the opening of the Healthy Transitions Colorado collaborative Monday. The goal of the collaborative over the next few years is to save $80 million in health care costs, prevent 8,700 hospital re-admissions and keep people out of the hospital a cumulative 34,000 days, Bennet said, all the while providing greater care for the people you serve and the people I serve. Because Coloradans have shown a willingness to address…

REACH: Cupcakes to carrots — tips for healthy celebrations at work

By Jamie Atlas Whether youre celebrating birthdays, promotions or Friday afternoon, the work environment can add unexpected challenges to your healthy intentions. However, you can turn these occasions into opportunities for you and your work associates to eat healthy and be physically active together. Eat a high protein, fiber-rich breakfast before heading to work. Youll kick-start your metabolism to burn more calories and youll be less likely to fall prey to treats lurking around the office. Have healthy snacks at your desk and take them with you if youre visiting the break room. Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger. If…

Opinion: Protecting Colorado health data while making costs transparent

By Tracey Campbell The news is riddled with stories of frustrations over the cost of health care and the lack of transparent information available to patients and employer purchasers. Look at the responses to the recent Time magazine article about bloated hospital costs, and the release of Medicare information about the wide variations in hospital pricing. Consumers are aghast at high and wildly varying prices, especially in light of little information about quality. The Colorado All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) is an essential tool for identifying differences in price and quality, and enabling consumers to shop for health care services in…

Opinion: Access to health care major issue for LGBT Coloradans

By Sarah Mapes Recently, the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Coloradans have been a major political issue nationally as well as locally. This legislative session, the passage of Senate Bill 13-011legalized civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado after many prior attempts. In addition, the Division of Insurance made changes to current regulations to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month in June, there are many more new opportunities for Colorados LGBT community than in years past. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that LGBT Coloradans have…