Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
More Older Americans Are Dying From 'Epidemic' Of Falling
Elderly people seldom want to talk about it. It’s scary, and if it’s happened to them and they’ve survived, they’re often embarrassed. And worried. One time too many and — whoosh — it’s off to a nursing home. But it’s happening more and more: People 65 and older are falling and an increasing number are dying as a result. Nationally, the rate of death after a fall jumped more than 35% between 2005 and 2014. (Rutledge, 9/20)
Health care is being swamped by the so-called silver tsunami: 10,000 seniors are turning 65 and becoming Medicare-eligible every day. But rather than ride the wave, investors in Silicon Valley and elsewhere are too focused on the shallower pool of younger, healthier Americans. (Diamond, 9/21)