Typically, summer is the time when families come together for reunions, travel to exotic locales, and adventurers take on the great outdoors. While states wrestle with reopening and trying to protect the health of the population, it’s anybody’s guess what this summer will look like.

Even though this is one of the most unusual summers in modern times, finding a way to enjoy life and maintain mental and physical health should still be a top priority. By staying aware of health problems caused by excessive heat and finding safer entertainment options, you can still make this a summer to remember by following a few tips for a happy and healthy summer.

Protect Your Kidneys

Summer is all about the sun. In addition to wearing sunscreen to protect against skin cancer and other damage, taking additional precautions in extreme heat can save you a trip to the E.R. Did you know the risk for kidney stones increases in the summer?

Many doctors see an increase in kidney stone patients when temperatures rise. Kidney stones also show up more often in southern parts of the country and regions close to the equator. The culprit seems to be dehydration.

The kidney filters your blood to remove toxins and other intruders that shouldn’t exist, and those toxins exit the body through urine. If you get dehydrated, your urine can become concentrated to the point where stones form. One of the best things you can do to help prevent kidney stones is to drink eight to 10 glasses of fluid a day. Avoiding the overly salty, processed foods and meats that tend to show up around summertime can also reduce the risks.

Seek the Shade 

Don’t forget to take extra precautions when it comes to working, playing, and exercising in the heat. During the summer, doctors see a lot more illnesses related to hot temperatures. They range from heat exhaustion (being overtired from being out in the heat) to heat syncope. Heat syncope is fainting or dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying position. Contributing factors include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.

In more severe cases, people suffer from heat strokes, which can lead to coma, seizures, or death if not treated properly. Risks increase for the young and elderly, people on certain medications, and people who don’t have air conditioning. Taking breaks in the shade and staying hydrated can help prevent heat strokes as well.

Choose Safe Entertainment Options

Can we still have healthy summer parties and barbecues? The CDC recommends making some adjustments if you want to host a soiree. If having a virtual party doesn’t cut it for you, use the following precautions to increase safety.

• Limit groups to eight people or less.
• Wear cloth face coverings when not eating.
• Arrange seating to allow for six to eight feet of social distancing between people.
• Don’t share food or utensils.
• Clean bathrooms and other high traffic areas often.
• Clean and disinfect high touch items like doorknobs, light switches, and faucets regularly.

Travel Virtually

Travel restrictions and safety concerns have made summer travel precarious at best. It’s understandable why many don’t want to put themselves or their children in harm’s way to have a good time.

To help us avoid the summer doldrums, Google has put together a list of 10 museums around the world that offer virtual tours. New York, Paris, London, and Berlin are just a few of the stops included. Most wouldn’t have the opportunity to visit 10 of the world’s most breathtaking museums in one summer any other way. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in culture and encourage your children to do the same within the safety of your own home.

From the Luxury Travel Expert, to a host of other travel vloggers, online travel content abounds. It may not be as exciting as going yourself, but you may find some titillating locations you never considered before. Planning a future trip to an obscure destination with your friends and family can give you something to look forward to.

Take Care of Yourself

There’s no denying this summer will be memorable for reasons none of us expected, but practicing self-care is still important. Taking a 30-minute walk each day, meditating, and eating healthy foods are just a few ways to stay on track. Finding safe entertainment options may require a little more creativity, but learning new things and keeping a positive outlook for the future can do wonders for mental health.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to provide more insurance coverage for groups with a higher risk of being uninsured. Although the ACA led to more covered people, there are still disparities in healthcare with a large segment of the population who lack access to healthcare and experience worse health outcomes.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

As of 2018, Hispanic people are two and a half times more likely to be uninsured than white people (19 percent vs. 7 percent). Individuals with incomes below poverty are four times as likely to lack coverage as those with incomes at 400 percent of the federal poverty level or above (17 percent vs. 4 percent).

Unfortunately, health disparities between Black and white people still run deep. Black people have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease than other groups, and black children have a 500 percent higher death rate from asthma compared with white children. Geography plays a significant role in the health of a population. Where we live determines opportunities to access quality education, employment, housing, fresh foods, or outdoor space–all contributors to good health.

Money Matters

Perhaps the most critical source of disparities in healthcare is income inequality. As of 2018, the wealthiest 20 percent of households had an average income of $234,000, while the bottom 20 percent of households had average earnings of $14,000 – nearly 17 times lower.

The real median income for African American families decreased from $43,380 in 2000 to $41,692 as of 2018. For Hispanic families, real median income increased from $48,500 to $51,450 during the same time frame. The median income for white families increased from $66,712 to $70,642. And Asian families topped the group with an increase from $79,502 in 2002 to $87,194 in 2018. Only time will tell what those numbers will look like in the wake of the pandemic and economic upheaval that has marked this year so far.

An Urgent Cry for Help

Many social factors account for these discrepancies, but it is clear that health often takes a back seat to daily survival for some. A recent study by KFF found that 17 percent of Black people and 21 percent of Hispanic people didn’t see a doctor when they needed to because of costs in 2018. Nineteen percent of Asian people also skipped a doctor visit because of costs, compared to 13 percent of white people.

At the outset of 2020, the affordability of healthcare was already a chief concern for many Americans. The landscape has now changed profoundly with the COVID-19 pandemic, job loss, and increasing awareness of how racism affects some Americans’ everyday lives. The focus on solutions to solve disparities in healthcare has never been more urgent.

DPC Can Help End Gaps in Healthcare

Direct primary care differs from insurance because it is a monthly membership that provides members with unlimited access to a primary care physician for a low monthly fee. With primary care being one of the underpinnings of optimal health, the implications of DPC are huge.

Teachers, servers, beauticians, and other gig workers who may or may not have insurance often cannot afford to insure their children. Not only can people who historically could not afford to see a doctor now see one, but low rates make it possible for people to include their kids in a DPC membership. By building an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician, families can stay educated about their health and learn how to better care for themselves. Staying informed and proactive helps prevent health issues from escalating to chronic disease states or more expensive acute conditions.

With a nationwide direct primary care provider like Healthcare2U, the barriers to access have been shattered. From Healthcare2U’s inception we have disrupted these disparities through the vehicle of DPC. Our mission is to fill in the gaps for those who lack proper care by addressing affordability, access, and health education for all. To accomplish this, Healthcare2U offers memberships in every state for the same low rate. Regardless of socioeconomic status or neighborhood, families can now connect to care, nationwide.

Addressing disparities in health and health care is essential not only from an equity standpoint but also for improving the overall quality of care and population health. For more information on how DPC can help underserved communities and underinsured populations, contact Healthcare2U. 

As the world adjusts to an inefficient and overpriced healthcare system coupled with an unstable economy, the healthcare industry is shifting from fee-for-service and reactive care. Providers seek to stay ahead of chronic diseases, prevent costly acute events, and mitigate the deterioration of patients’ health in the most effective ways. Unfortunately, shortages of qualified personnel, as well as skyrocketing costs, sometimes make this difficult. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to bridge the gap between the limitations of medical providers and the patients’ needs. AI is also helping physicians be proactive and predictive. This technology is changing the landscape of healthcare by assisting doctors in diagnosing patients faster, monitoring patients’ health through wearable devices, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Diagnosing Patients Faster

Artificial intelligence is easing the administrative workload by creating better interfaces between doctors and patient data, but it also helps providers diagnose patients faster. A significant trend in medicine is using AI in medical diagnosis to detect cancer. A recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that the AI system has a breast cancer detection accuracy comparable to an average breast radiologist.

Google says its latest research proves that a neural network can be trained to detect lung cancer symptoms earlier and faster than trained radiologists. AI-driven software can also accurately identify indicators of certain diseases in medical images such as MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans.

Having this technology at their disposal can allow doctors to diagnose and make treatment recommendations faster and more accurately. This ability fosters a better patient experience and, hopefully, a better relationship with their provider.

Monitoring Health Through Wearable Devices

From smartphone apps to Fitbits, several wearable devices enable people to track vital health data such as heart rate and physical activity. AI is being used to improve people’s health and well-being by helping them monitor weight goals and track fitness levels.

It also has particularly essential applications for the elderly population. Thirty to 60 percent of older adults fall each year, with 10 to 20 percent of those falls leading to injury, hospitalization, or death. Wearable fall detection devices can help the elderly receive the proper care in the event of a fall. These devices can be lifesaving if someone is unable to call for help.

As technology continues to evolve, and patients choose to share their health data with doctors, more wearable technology applications will be designed to prevent diseases and maintain health.

Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease

Since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Wuhan, China, epidemiologists have used a significant component of AI, machine learning, to track and prevent the spread. This technology has not only helped them understand more about the virus but also saved lives.

Machine learning is when a computer takes massive amounts of data and learns to detect patterns. This intelligence enables predictive analytics –the ability to predict future outcomes as well as reveal other insights about the data.

One such example is how organizations might be able to predict the number of deaths from COVID-19 for a specific gender over the age of 60. Countries worldwide used these predictive models to implement shelter-in-place and other strategies to prevent the spread of the virus.

For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, the city of Wuhan implemented AI to detect people with fever in large crowds with smart glasses worn by security guards. Bus and train stations also employed surveillance technology to check large groups of people without making contact. Although controversial, officials were able to safely and quickly identify people at risk of spreading the disease, which they wouldn’t have been able to do without using this form of technology.

As we move forward, innovators predict that current AI solutions in medical diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and infectious disease control will improve, and its applications in the field of medicine will continue to advance for years to come.

According to the CDC, 60 percent of Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease like heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. These and other chronic conditions lead causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of health care costs—to the tune of $3.5 trillion per year. It’s even more sobering to realize chronic diseases are responsible for 70 percent of deaths in the U.S., killing more than 1.7 million Americans annually. When looking at the impact of chronic conditions, the proactive prevention of these diseases is truly the best strategy.

What is a Chronic Disease?

Chronic disease is a physical or mental health condition that lasts more than one year and causes functional restrictions or requires ongoing monitoring or treatment. Some of the more common conditions include:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Blood Pressure
• Fibromyalgia
• GERD
• Gout
• Hypertension
• Thyroid
• CHF
• COPD
• Depression
• Diabetes

Being Proactive is Easier Than You Think

Stress, smoking, lack of physical activity, alcohol, and poor diet are significant contributors to the leading chronic diseases. Being proactive and screening for diseases before they start is one of the best ways to prevent chronic conditions. However, many people fail to establish a relationship with a primary care physician because they think they can’t afford it.

With mounting pressure from insurance companies to limit the time they spend with patients, many primary care providers also lack time to focus on proactive prevention and treatment options with patients. Fortunately, the direct primary care (DPC) model has grown in popularity recently. DPC shatters various healthcare barriers, including expenses that may have prohibited patients from getting primary care in the past. Also, DPC has given physicians the freedom to put patients first again.

Traditional models of health care address symptoms of a disease after it has escalated, but to prevent chronic diseases, we need a more comprehensive approach. This approach is where practical and consistent primary care comes in. By building an ongoing relationship with patients and their families, practitioners in a DPC environment can offer tailor-made solutions.

Primary Care is the Cornerstone

DPC providers have the time and resources to inform patients about their chronic disease risk best and improve their overall health. The idea of healthcare was always for doctors and patients to work together to improve health outcomes by being proactive rather than reactive.

Direct Primary Care offers members access to unlimited primary care visits for a low monthly fee. There are no insurance deductibles or expensive copays to meet. When a patient can spend as many sessions as necessary with their doctor, they can get to the root causes of chronic diseases without going in circles and racking up medical bills they can’t afford.

One of the many functions of primary care is to educate people on underlying lifestyle risk factors as well as create personalized prevention plans. Understanding a patient’s medical history, family history, and lifestyle helps doctors recommend resources, lifestyle changes, and necessary medication to mitigate or control symptoms.

Prevention is Best 

Exercising, proper nutrition, drinking less, and quitting smoking can provide health benefits and a greater sense of well-being. But establishing an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider is even more critical when it comes to preventing and managing chronic disease.

For more information on how DPC can help your clients manage and prevent chronic disease effectively and affordably, contact Healthcare2U.

Healthcare2U is excited to launch a redesigned website for benefits brokers, employers, and members who want to learn more about our barrier-breaking and cost-effective DPC solutions. In addition to a fresh new look, the site offers practical information, educational, and marketing materials along with a rich library of blog content and newsletters.

As an innovator in healthcare, we understand the importance of making information regarding our services and trends easily accessible for our current and prospective partners. We endeavor to provide our brokers and members with the most accurate, up-to-date information, and share our knowledge and expertise in direct primary care (DPC).

We Set Our Brokers Up for Success

Our redesigned website updated our broker portal! Brokers interested in effectively selling Healthcare2U’s DPC will find that product marketing materials and educational materials are organized more effectively. We have also separated the DPCplus collateral by product, so there is less confusion on product build and implementation.

The redesigned site is much easier to navigate and find the specific product information you need. It is a place for sharing expertise and getting personalized support from Healthcare2U because when you succeed, we succeed. Not only does the Partner Portal allow for adds and terms to be managed, but brokers can now submit requests to create customized plan designs with our Account Management team. You will get access to our product marketing expertise to get results faster and more consistently.

Our Partner Portal contains everything you will need to be successful with Healthcare2U products. And as always, if you have a special request, you can always email Broker Support with just a click.

Employers and Members Can See How DPC Pertains to Them

In addition to tools provided for brokers, employers seeking more information about DPC can now read more on how Healthcare2U reduces expenses for everyone. Our redesigned website is packed with information on cost-containment strategies and detailed information on each component of DPC:

• Patient Navigation
• Unlimited In-Office Doctor Access
• Unlimited Urgent Care
• Preventative Care
• Unlimited Chronic Care
• Unlimited Virtual DPC

Members seeking care for themselves or their families can easily find testimonials, membership benefits, and contact information. Connecting with our patient advocates has never been easier. Whether members want to schedule an appointment with a clinic in their area or want answers to frequently asked questions, they can quickly find everything they need on the new site.

Stay Connected and Well Informed

Among the new features, the site contains integrated social media buttons for Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to foster better communication with partners and a stronger sense of community. We are always updating our content with helpful information, thought leadership, company announcements, and client successes in the Blog, Press Releases, and Broker Material sections. You can also sign up for The Primary – Healthcare2U’s monthly newsletter.

Feel free to check out the new healthc2u.com. And if you have any questions about the benefits of direct primary care, email contact@healthc2u.com. 

The rising prevalence of burnout among physicians has raised questions on how it affects healthcare access, the quality of care, and patient safety. Doctors experiencing burnout or depression are more likely to leave a practice, which interrupts patients’ access to and continuity of care. In addition to taking a toll on the mental health of the practitioner, exhaustion can also threaten patient safety and lead to weak interactions with patients due to impaired attention, memory, and executive function. The causes of burnout include patient panels that are too large, administrative overload, and constraints from insurance companies. All these reasons are why doctors love direct primary care (DPC) and are turning away from the fee-for-service world.

Doctors Are Feeling the Pressure

It’s well known that insurance providers pressure doctors to limit their appointment times with patients. Over 50 percent of physicians in a recent study said they experience time pressures when conducting physical examinations. Nearly 33 percent felt they needed at least 50 percent more time than was allotted for this task. An additional 25 percent reported needing at least 50 percent more time for follow-up appointments.

High-pressure working conditions with little control of work pace directly correlate with physicians’ feelings of dissatisfaction, stress, and desire to leave the practice in some cases. In recent years, many have reclaimed the joy of practicing medicine by returning to the basics through Direct primary care (DPC). DPC has emerged as a life-changing alternative for three reasons. It allows physicians to eliminate or minimize interactions with insurance companies, it mitigates administrative hassles and restores the relationship between doctors and patients.

Freedom from Paperwork

While some doctors adopt a hybrid DPC model where they see some insured patients and some direct primary care members, some opt for a DPC-only practice. Being liberated from all the time and money spent filing claims and doing other administrative tasks related to working with insurance companies is an attractive perk for many.

One study found that for every hour a doctor spent with patients, he spent an additional two hours filling out paperwork for insurance companies. Some liken having doctors waste two-thirds of their time to having LeBron James spend most of his time selling game tickets instead of playing.

When there are no insurance providers involved, there’s no billing involved. This practice means less money spent on salaries for administrative staff. The freedom to choose whether to see patients with insurance provides greater peace of mind for some.

Making Patients the Priority 

By charging an affordable monthly fee for direct primary care membership, a physician can know what profits he’s going to make for a certain number of patients each month. This stability in revenue allows him to keep a manageable panel of patients. By eliminating the guesswork of how to remain profitable with an overwhelming number of patients (often in the thousands), doctors can save themselves from overworking to keep their business afloat.

And when he opts out of fee-for-service appointments, there are no limits to the time he can spend with patients. This factor is one of the main reasons physicians love direct primary care. It enables them to make patients the priority again. Many physicians lament going into medicine because they wanted to help people only to find their hands tied by bureaucracy.

The beauty of DPC is that it places control of the practice back into the doctor’s hands. Without time constraints, the physician can take the time necessary to dissect a patient’s medical history and find underlying causes of illness that may have been missed previously. DPC allows them to build a proper foundation and a long-term relationship with patients who feel like they’re finally seen and heard.