Hurricane Ian’s trauma will leave a lasting mark on Floridians’ mental health, experts say

Though Hurricane Ian will be measured by the death and destruction it caused across the state, experts warn the storm’s aftermath will also include lingering harm to many Floridians’ mental health. Deborah Beidel, a psychologist and University of Central Florida psychology professor, said those who found their homes uninhabitable after the storm may experience trauma responses to cope with the losses. “You might be experiencing a lot of depression at this time because everything that you build your entire life in some cases has been washed away,” Beidel said. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

U.S. Supreme Court rejects Florida's request to hear the case over 'medically fragile' kids

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Florida’s request to take up a dispute with the federal government stemming from concerns about “medically fragile” children being placed in nursing homes. The Supreme Court, as is common, did not explain its refusal to hear the case. But the move effectively let stand a decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of the U.S. Department of Justice in a nearly decade-long legal battle. The issue of care for medically fragile children, who have severe health conditions, drew attention in 2012 after a Justice Department investigation found Florida was unnecessarily institutionalizing children with disabilities in nursing homes. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Telemedicine was made easy during COVID-19. Not any more

Telemedicine exploded in popularity after COVID-19 hit, but limits are returning for care delivered across state lines. That complicates follow-up treatments for some cancer patients. It also can affect other types of care, including mental health therapy and routine doctor check-ins. Over the past year, nearly 40 states and Washington, D.C., have ended emergency declarations that made it easier for doctors to use video visits to see patients in another state, according to the Alliance for Connected Care, which advocates for telemedicine use. [Source: AP]

For Florida Alzheimer’s patients, a controversial drug brings hope

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration preliminarily approved a drug that might not just ease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s but slow the progression of the disease. Known as Aduhelm, or aducanamab, it was the first time the agency had greenlit an Alzheimer’s medication in nearly two decades. Some Alzheimer’s experts and scientists harshly condemned Aduhelm’s approval. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Hurricane Ian shows that coastal hospitals aren’t ready for climate change

As rapidly intensifying storms and rising sea levels threaten coastal cities from Texas to the tip of Maine, Hurricane Ian has just demonstrated what researchers have warned: Hundreds of hospitals in the U.S. are not ready for climate change. Hurricane Ian forced at least 16 hospitals from central to southwest Florida to evacuate patients after it made landfall near Fort Myers on Sept. 28 as a deadly Category 4 storm. [Source: Health News Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida gender affirming care policy heads to court this week [Florida Independent Alligator]
The temporary blockage of a ban on Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatments may be on the table in a Florida court this week. The Agency for Health Care Administration’s ban on gender affirming care coverage went into effect Aug. 21, banning coverage for all treatments of gender dysphoria under the Florida Medicaid program.

› Molina Healthcare of Florida sponsors NAMIWalks Your Way Event to address mental health stigma [Action News Jax]
Molina Healthcare of Florida will sponsor NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness ) Jacksonville’s third annual NAMIWalks Your Way event. Money raised by the walk will fund the non-profit’s mental health programs, making them available at no charge. Molina will join several community organizations in providing important information about general health and mental health care resources available in the area. Participants can also enjoy live music, a kids zone, and food from local vendors.

› South Florida doctor to bridge healthcare gap in Pahokee [WPTV]
A doctor is taking on rural health in underserved parts of Palm Beach County. This as health care, especially for women, is not so easily accessible in places like Pahokee. "9 times out of 10 a lot of us are having specialists either near Palms West, Wellington, or further north by PGA or further south," said Annie Ifill, a community healthcare advocate.

› Crisis Center of Tampa Bay reports a surge in calls after Hurricane Ian [WUSF]
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay staff have been busy helping people in need of support after Hurricane Ian. The center manages the 211 social services hotline and 988 suicide prevention lifeline for Hillsborough and Charlotte counties, and officials are reporting a surge in demand. Charlotte County typically makes up a small portion of the 211 calls staff respond to, roughly 500 a year, estimated Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center. But between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2, the center received about 1,700 calls from Charlotte residents as Hurricane Ian devastated the community.