Hello Colorado!
Happy Monday and welcome back to Checkup Denver! We have a lot of health news for you this week, so let’s catch you up.
LGBTQ Coloradans still face barriers to health care, report finds
Under the Affordable Care Act, the uninsured rate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Colorado was cut in half, dropping from 10 percent in 2011 to 5 percent last year, according to a new report by One Colorado. .
But barriers still exist for LGBTQ individuals seeking medical care in the state, according to the report. And advocates worry that a proposed rule by the Trump administration could be used by health providers to deny care.
About 34 percent of transgender patients in the state report being denied coverage for LGBTQ-specific medical services, such as gender-affirming care or hormones. That’s down from 52 percent in 2011, according to the report by One Colorado.
“Even though we’re seeing more social acceptance, we’re seeing more visibility of the LGBTQ community, we’re also seeing some major pushback, some real attempts to roll back protections of LGBTQ Coloradans and LGBTQ Americans,” said Daniel Ramos, executive director of the LGBTQ advocacy group.
Read more here.
Underage sales of kratom banned in Castle Rock
Castle Rock, which imposed a six-month moratorium on the licensing of new kratom shops while rules were created, has now banned the sale of the herbal supplement to minors. Under the ordinance, which was approved last week, anyone who sells kratom to a minor will face a fine of $300.
Kratom is seen by some as a safe, natural alternative to opioid medications. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises against the use of the substance, citing “properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence.”
Read more here.
Health must-reads:
- Teenagers in Broomfield can trade their e-cigarettes for recreation passes, including to the city’s water park.
- Greenwood Village police have closed the investigation into the suicide of a Cherry Creek High School freshman and will not pursue criminal charges. The family of the student alleges he was bullied by teenagers who encouraged him to harm himself.
- Chefs in Denver raised $25,000 through a bake sale for Planned Parenthood.
- New data from public health officials shows that more than 1 in 4 Denver residents binge drink. At the same time, the city may join other cities in making it easier for residents to carry alcohol from place to place.
- Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have found that a strain of bacteria in soil can help protect people against stress.
Here’s what I’m reading:
- The rise in high health insurance deductibles has — Los Angeles Times
- Individuals who have been ordered into psychiatric care are often — The News & Observer and The Sun News
- After being shot, some survivors face . — TIME
- Websites, such as Hers, offer to — The Atlantic
- Research has shown the physical and psychological dangers of using smartphones, tablets and video consoles — — Kaiser Health News
Have a story tip or other feedback? Email me at jseaman@denverpost.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at . And don’t forget to become a to The Post!
See you in two weeks
— Jessica
