Health

5 Ways to Design Inclusive Learning Environments for All Students

Published

3 days ago

July 2, 2024

It’s a fundamental right that every child should have the same opportunity for a high-quality education and the same chance to learn and thrive in school as their peers—regardless of their capabilities, challenges, family circumstances, language, or ethnicity.

For this to happen, the school environment must feel safe and welcoming for all students, which is why access and inclusion are basic necessities in education today.

As our country becomes increasingly diverse in all these ways, educators are tasked with meeting a broad range of student needs. No two students are alike, and each child learns in different ways. Instead of employing a one-size-fits-all approach to instruction, educators are adopting more engaging, inclusive, and personalized approaches designed to support all students more effectively.

Thoughtful furniture choices and classroom resources not only promote physical comfort but also facilitate social interaction and collaboration among students of varying backgrounds and abilities, enhancing the overall inclusivity of the classroom setting.

Universal Design for Learning

Access and inclusion require educators to be thoughtful and purposeful in how they interact with students on a daily basis, incorporating strategies such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into their instruction to support a diverse student population and give everyone a fair shot at success.

UDL accounts for the differences among students and how they learn by giving them multiple ways to engage with instruction, understand the content, and show what they can do. This flexibility gives students numerous pathways to learn the material and demonstrate their skills and understanding, allowing them to draw on their unique strengths and abilities in doing so.

soft seating and shelves of books in a school library — The Library at Oliver Brown Elementary School in Manhattan, Kansas, offers a mix of colors, textures, and heights to facilitate small group project work, reading and study groups, and after-school activities. Design, furnishings, and project management by Projects By Design® from School Specialty®.

Teachers can also connect what students are learning in school with their interests, languages, and life experiences. This involves getting to know students, including their families and interests; celebrating these unique backgrounds and experiences; and drawing upon these to help students learn the content more effectively.

Designing Inclusive Learning Environments

UDL is an evidence-based strategy for creating more inclusive learning environments that support students as individuals, foster a strong sense of belonging and community, and accommodate various learning differences.

But designing an inclusive learning environment is about more than delivering fully accessible instruction. It’s also about creating a classroom culture in which all students treat each other with kindness and respect.

The design of the physical environment matters, too. How a classroom space is designed, furnished, and equipped plays a key role in whether students feel welcome in that space and how effectively they can learn.

Here are five ways to design physical learning environments that are more accessible and inclusive of all students.

Focus on Flexibility

Designing flexible instruction that caters to various needs requires the use of flexible furniture to support it. For instance, using moveable furniture on wheels and modular pieces that easily can be arranged into different configurations allows educators to create versatile classroom spaces that support a wide variety of learning activities and modalities.

school hallway with floor to ceiling window, soft seating options, and high cafe tables with chairs — *Hallways, common areas, and other mixed-use spaces increasingly support different learning needs and preferences. Rendering courtesy of Projects By Design® from School Specialty®.*

Offer Students Plenty of Choices in Seating Styles

Choice gives students agency and ownership of their learning and leads to deeper engagement. It also makes classrooms more inclusive. Something as simple as having multiple seating styles to choose from can accommodate different learning preferences and helps students feel more welcome.

For these reasons, learning spaces should give students plenty of choices in where and how they’ll do their work, with a variety of seating styles and materials. Classrooms that include multiple seating options—such as standing desks, clusters for small-group learning, soft seating, and formal desks and chairs—help students make their own choices to support how they learn best.

By providing furniture that accommodates different learning needs and preferences, schools can create an environment where every student feels valued and supported in their unique ways of engaging with the material. It also gives teachers options to accommodate different learning modalities and instructional options.

Pay Attention to Comfort and Convenience

To ensure that students can work comfortably, classroom furnishings should be ergonomically designed and age appropriate. For instance, height-adjustable desks create a comfortable workspace for students, allowing them to easily raise or lower the height of their desks to the right level they need to be productive.

school multi-use space with cafeteria tables and chairs and shelves of books — Media Room collaboration between School Specialty® and the
College Football Playoff Foundation®. Design, furnishings, and
project management by Projects By Design® from School Specialty®.

Because some students are sensitive to certain types of materials, learning spaces should offer seating options with different fabrics and surface types. This gives students who have sensory processing disorders a variety of options to choose from. Many students on the autism spectrum have sensory processing concerns and are overly sensitive to touch.

Environmental factors such as lighting, acoustics, temperature, and air quality should also be at appropriate levels for learning. Students with sensory processing issues, in particular, might be overly sensitive to light and sound. Classroom décor offers an opportunity for student input and agency and is frequently used as part of daily classroom routines.

To maximize students’ ability to focus and learn, schools should use natural lighting wherever possible and avoid using fluorescent lights, instead choosing warmer, recessed lighting sources. If replacing light bulbs or fixtures isn’t feasible, light filters (such as Cozy Shades) can provide an affordable option for softening classroom lighting.

When students are physically comfortable in their seats, they are more likely to participate actively in discussions and activities, regardless of their individual needs or abilities. Soft seating offers comfort and mobility for both secondary schools and primary education.

Give Students a Way to Move Around Easily

All students need to move throughout the school day, and those with sensory processing challenges or difficulty self-regulating are likely to move more frequently. Classroom environments designed to support all learners should accommodate the need to move around, and in fact, research supports the idea that frequent movement and fidgeting might actually help students with ADHD learn better. “Fidget” seating and “wobble” stools allow for frequent movement by letting students twist, rock, or move in place without disrupting a lesson.

multisensory room for young students — *The **Snoezelen® Mobile Sensory Cart** brings a relaxing multi-sensory environment wherever needed. Rendering courtesy of Projects By Design® from School Specialty®.*

Establish Quiet, Calming Spaces

Students who are overstimulated or suffering from anxiety might need some time to decompress by themselves. This is why a growing number of schools are realizing the value of having quiet, calming spaces, such as separate areas of the classroom that are available to students who need those private moments of downtime.

For instance, a Mini Geode Den helps block noise and prevents sensory overload, giving students with sensory issues a quiet and calm space in which they can feel secure.

Wholly separate multi-sensory rooms are also emerging in schools. A Snoezelen® multi-sensory room, or Snoezelen® room, often includes gentle lighting and soothing sounds, furniture that helps define spatial boundaries to help children feel secure in their physical space, and sensory tools that help students stay calm and regulate their emotions.

multisensory room with a shell chair, beanbag, and sensory lighting — A **Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE)** incorporates a specialized selection of sensory equipment and materials that can give students agency and help reinforce their responses to sensory inputs. This, in turn, has been observed to advance therapy goals. Rendering courtesy of Projects By Design® from School Specialty®.

Accessibility for Everyone

As K-12 leaders look to create more inclusive learning environments for everyone, small changes to the physical learning space can make a big difference.

To learn how School Specialty® can help you design and furnish learning environments – including equipping them with proper resources and supplies – so they are fully accessible and inclusive for all students, please reach out to your School Specialty® Representative.

photo of dr. sue ann highland, national education strategist for school specialty

Dr. Sue Ann Highland is the National Education Strategist for School Specialty. As an Education Strategist, she uses her expertise in educational initiatives and administrative leadership to help teachers and leaders to transform teaching and learning.

In addition to her work at School Specialty, Highland has also served as a change and improvement consultant to more than many Colorado business and educational institutions since 2004. In this capacity, she enhanced personnel performance, streamlined organizational operations and introduced process improvements that enhance productivity for companies and schools. She also has several years experience in managing a team that transforms learning environments for districts.

Highland derives her expertise from over 25 years in education, with half of those years in rural districts. She has worked as an Organizational Development Director, an elementary school principal and a school district’s Director of Federal Programs, Curriculum and Instruction. In these positions, Highland was responsible for professional development and daily management as well as for leading initiatives and evaluating staff performance and results. She specializes in improvement, turnaround, and change management.

Highland received a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University.

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Related Topics:Inclusion Learning Environments Sensory Spaces

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Pituitary Tumors: What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

Published

3 hours ago

July 5, 2024

My Carolina Life

This pea-sized organ regulates various bodily functions such as hormone production, so when a pituitary tumor grows, it can wreak havoc on the body, Tidelands Health neurosurgeon Dr. Oluwaseun Omofoye says.

July 5, 2024 by My Carolina Life Leave a Comment

By Elaine Veltri, @MyCarolinaLife.com

Positioned at the base of the brain is the tiny – yet powerful – pituitary gland.

This pea-sized organ regulates various bodily functions such as hormone production, so when a pituitary tumor grows, it can wreak havoc on the body, Tidelands Health neurosurgeon Dr. Oluwaseun Omofoye says.

Dr. Omofoye is part of the advanced neurosciences program at Tidelands Health, our region’s largest health care provider.

“Pituitary tumors are typically benign, but they can still cause problems by overproducing or underproducing hormones or by pressing on surrounding structures in the brain,” says Dr. Omofoye. “One of the most common symptoms is a problem with vision.”

The pituitary gland is close to the optic nerve. Pituitary tumors can press on the nerve and cause vision difficulties. Patients with large tumors will often experience peripheral vision loss, which may be identified during a routine eye exam.

“I’ll get patients with a large pituitary tumor referred to me after a vision exam and MRI,” Dr. Omofoye adds. “Most of the time, if it is small and vision is fine, we will watch it over time because they typically grow slowly.”

Pituitary tumor types

Pituitary tumors are classified based on their size, hormone production and whether they are cancerous or noncancerous. The two types are:

Functioning tumors: These tumors produce hormones and can lead to hormonal imbalances.
Nonfunctioning tumors: These tumors do not produce hormones and can affect nearby structures within the brain.

Common pituitary tumor symptoms

In addition to vision problems, common symptoms of a pituitary tumor include:

Headaches
Hormonal imbalances causing irregular periods and breast discharge
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Changes in weight and appetite
Mood changes

Some pituitary tumors secrete a hormone that triggers the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol. When that happens, the patient can develop a condition called Cushing disease. Symptoms include a rounded face, stretch marks, areas of darkened skin, acne and slow-healing cuts and infections.

Other tumors make too much growth hormone, which can lead to unwanted facial hair, body odor, joint pain and large hands and feet.

How is a pituitary tumor diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose a pituitary tumor, your care provider will typically order blood tests to measure hormone levels, an MRI or CT scan to visualize the gland and visual field testing to assess vision changes.

If a pituitary tumor is detected and symptoms are minimal or non-existent, treatment may include monitoring the growth. Hormone-suppressing medications can help control imbalances caused by the tumor and reduce the tumor’s size. Radiation therapy may also be considered to shrink or control the tumor’s growth.

For larger and more troublesome tumors, surgery may be required.

“We can access the pituitary gland at the base of the brain through the nose,” says Dr. Omofoye.

Patients without complications typically do well after surgery and are able to go home relatively quickly.

Dr. Omofoye says the key takeaway is to remember pituitary tumors are uncommon and mostly benign, but with early detection and appropriate treatment when symptoms start, the condition can be managed effectively.

“If you notice any vision difficulties, blurriness, peripheral vision issues, talk to your doctor and make sure to get your eye checkups,” Dr. Omofoye says.

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Previously Published on mycarolinalife

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Health

What is a Healthy BMI for a 70-Year-Old Female?

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Chris Reyes

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice.

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It’s a simple number calculated from a person’s weight and height, providing a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.

How is BMI Calculated?

Calculating BMI is straightforward. You take your weight in kilograms and divide it by the square of your height in meters.

Here’s the Metric formula:

BMI= Weight (kg) / Height (m)2

[weight (kg) / height (cm) / height (cm)] x 10,000

For example, if you weigh 70 kilograms and are 1.6 meters tall, your BMI would be:

BMI= 7/(1.6)2 = 27.34

Check Your BMI Easily

For those looking to quickly and accurately calculate their BMI, the Modern60 BMI calculator is a handy tool. It offers an easy way to input your weight and height to determine your BMI, helping you stay informed about your health status. Adrian, a Health expert from Modern60, emphasizes the importance of regularly checking your BMI as part of a comprehensive approach to health management.

Importance of BMI in Assessing Overall Health

BMI is an important tool because it helps gauge whether you’re within a healthy weight range for your height. Maintaining a healthy BMI can lower your risk for health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. For seniors, particularly those around 70 years old, understanding and managing BMI is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and longevity. It gives a general idea of whether you might need to gain or lose weight to improve your health.

BMI Categories

BMI categories help to classify a person’s weight relative to their height, indicating potential health risks associated with different weight ranges. Here are the main categories:

Underweight: BMI Less Than 18.5

If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are considered underweight. Being underweight might indicate malnutrition, osteoporosis, or other health issues. It’s important to seek advice from a healthcare provider if you fall into this category to ensure you are getting the necessary nutrients for good health.

Normal Weight: BMI 18.5 – 24.9

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal or healthy weight. This range is associated with the lowest risk of developing weight-related health problems. Maintaining a BMI in this range generally indicates a balance of appropriate weight and height, contributing to overall well-being.

Overweight: BMI 25 – 29.9

A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is categorized as overweight. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you are unhealthy, it may increase your risk for conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. It’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider for advice on achieving a healthier weight.

Obesity: BMI 30 and Above

A BMI of 30 or higher is classified as obesity. This category significantly raises the risk of numerous health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. Managing obesity often requires a comprehensive approach involving diet, exercise, and possibly medical intervention. Seeking guidance from a healthcare provider is crucial for addressing obesity and improving overall health.

Specifics for Seniors

How BMI Ranges May Differ for Older Adults

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can affect BMI. For seniors, especially those around 70 years old, the standard BMI ranges might not fully capture their health status. Factors like muscle mass, bone density, and fat distribution shift with age, potentially altering what is considered a healthy BMI.

Changes in Muscle Mass, Bone Density, and Fat Distribution

Muscle Mass:Older adults often experience a decrease in muscle mass, known as sarcopenia. This reduction can lead to a lower weight and, consequently, a lower BMI.
Bone Density:Bone density tends to decrease with age, contributing to changes in weight and BMI.
Fat Distribution:Fat distribution changes as well, with more fat being stored around the abdomen, which might not be as accurately reflected in BMI.

Recommended BMI for 70-Year-Old Females

General Healthy BMI Range

For most adults, including 70-year-old females, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered healthy. This range is associated with the lowest risk of health complications related to weight.

Personalized Recommendations

It’s crucial to consult with healthcare providers for personalized advice. They can take into account individual health conditions, lifestyle, and other factors to provide a more accurate assessment of a healthy BMI.

Acceptable Slightly Higher BMI

Due to age-related changes like muscle loss and shifts in fat distribution, a slightly higher BMI might be acceptable for older adults. This is because having a bit more weight can sometimes offer protective benefits against conditions like osteoporosis and malnutrition.

Health Implications of BMI

Risks Associated with Low BMI

Malnutrition:Low BMI can be a sign of inadequate nutrition, which can weaken the immune system and reduce muscle strength.
Osteoporosis:Insufficient weight can lead to bone density loss, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

Risks Associated with High BMI

Cardiovascular Disease:Excess weight can strain the heart, leading to conditions like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Diabetes:Higher BMI is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which can lead to various complications if not managed properly.

Importance of Maintaining a Balanced BMI

Maintaining a balanced BMI is crucial for overall health and longevity. It helps in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mobility, and enhancing the quality of life.

Factors Influencing BMI in Seniors

Chronic Conditions

Chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease can impact weight and BMI. These conditions often require medication and lifestyle changes that can affect overall body weight.

Medications

Many medications can influence weight, either by increasing appetite, causing fluid retention, or leading to weight loss.

Physical Activity Levels and Metabolism

Physical activity levels often decrease with age, leading to a slower metabolism. This can result in weight gain if dietary habits remain unchanged.

Best Tips for Maintaining a Healthy BMI

Balanced Diet Recommendations

Nutritious Foods:Focus on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Portion Control:Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help manage weight and ensure adequate nutrient intake.

Importance of Regular Physical Activity

Walking:Regular walks can improve cardiovascular health and aid in weight management.
Yoga:Gentle yoga helps with flexibility, balance, and strength.
Light Resistance Exercises:These can help maintain muscle mass and support metabolic health.

Staying Hydrated

Adequate hydration is essential for overall health and can help regulate metabolism and digestion.

Regular Health Check-Ups

Frequent check-ups with healthcare providers help monitor weight, BMI, and overall health. They can offer personalized advice and adjustments to diet or exercise routines as needed.

Additionally, for great deals and discounts on health-related products and services for seniors, you can visit Discount for Seniors.

Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy BMI is vital for overall well-being, especially for seniors. It helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, supports mobility, and enhances quality of life. A balanced BMI indicates that your weight is appropriate for your height, contributing to better health outcomes.

While BMI is a useful tool, it’s essential to remember that everyone is different. Consulting healthcare providers for personalized advice ensures that your health plan considers all factors, including existing medical conditions and lifestyle. Making small, manageable changes to your diet and exercise routine can have a significant impact on your BMI and overall health. Focus on consistency and gradual improvements to create lasting habits that support a healthy weight and well-being.

References

World Health Organization (WHO). “Body Mass Index (BMI).” Retrieved from WHO.

World Health Organization (WHO). “A Healthy Lifestyle – WHO Recommendations.” Retrieved from WHO.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “About Adult BMI.” Retrieved from CDC.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). “Calculate Your Body Mass Index.” Retrieved from NHLBI.

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This content is brought to you by Chris Reyes

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Health

Nursing Homes Are Left in the Dark as More Utilities Cut Power to Prevent Wildfires

Published

1 day ago

July 4, 2024

Kaiser Health News

By Kate Ruder

When powerful wind gusts created threatening wildfire conditions one day near Boulder, Colorado, the state’s largest utility cut power to 52,000 homes and businesses — including Frasier, an assisted living and skilled nursing facility.

It was the first time Xcel Energy preemptively switched off electricity in Colorado as a wildfire prevention tool, according to a company official. The practice, also known as public safety power shut-offs, has taken root in California and is spreading elsewhere as a way to keep downed and damaged power lines from sparking blazes and fueling the West’s more frequent and intense wildfires.

In Boulder, Frasier staff and residents heard about the planned outage from news reports. A Frasier official called the utility to confirm and was initially told the home’s power would not be affected. The utility then called back to say the home’s power would be cut, after all, said Tomas Mendez, Frasier’s vice president of operations. The home had just 75 minutes before Xcel Energy shut off the lights on April 6.

Staff rushed to prepare the 20-acre campus home to nearly 500 residents. Generators kept running the oxygen machines, most refrigerators and freezers, hallway lights, and Wi-Fi for phones and computers. But the heating system and some lights stayed off as the overnight temperature dipped into the 30s.

Power was restored to Frasier after 28 hours. During the shut-off, staff tended to nursing home and assisted living residents, many with dementia, Mendez said.

“These are the folks that depend on us for everything: meals, care, and medications,” he said.

Not knowing when power would be restored, even 24 hours into the crisis, was stressful and expensive, including the next-day cost of refilling fuel for two generators, Mendez said.

“We’re lucky we didn’t have any injuries or anything major, but it is likely these could happen when there are power outages — expected or unexpected. And that puts everyone at risk,” Mendez said.

As preemptive power cuts become more widespread, nursing homes are being forced to evaluate their preparedness. But it shouldn’t be up to the facilities alone, according to industry officials and academics: Better communication between utilities and nursing homes, and including the facilities in regional disaster preparedness plans, is critical to keep residents safe.

“We need to prioritize these folks so that when the power does go out, they get to the front of the line to restore their power accordingly,” said David Dosa, chief of geriatrics and professor of medicine at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts, of nursing home residents.

Restoring power to hospitals and nursing homes was a priority throughout the windstorm, wrote Xcel Energy spokesperson Tyler Bryant in an email. But, he acknowledged, public safety power shut-offs can improve, and the utility will work with community partners and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to help health facilities prepare for extended power outages in the future.

When the forecast called for wind gusts of up to 100 mph on April 6, Xcel Energy implemented a public safety power shut-off. Nearly 275,000 customers were without power from the windstorm.

Officials had adapted after the Marshall Fire killed two people and destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 homes in Boulder and the neighboring communities of Louisville and Superior two and a half years ago. Two fires converged to form that blaze, and electricity from an Xcel Energy power line that detached from its pole in hurricane-force winds “was the most probable cause” of one of them.

“A preemptive shutdown is scary because you don’t really have an end in mind. They don’t tell you the duration,” said Jenny Albertson, director of quality and regulatory affairs for the Colorado Health Care Association and Center for Assisted Living.

More than half of nursing homes in the West are within 3.1 miles of an area with elevated wildfire risk, according to a study published last year. Yet, nursing homes with the greatest risk of fire danger in the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest had poorer compliance with federal emergency preparedness standards than their lower-risk counterparts.

Under federal guidelines, nursing homes must have disaster response plans that include emergency power or building evacuation. Those plans don’t necessarily include contingencies for public safety power shut-offs, which have increased in the past five years but are still relatively new. And nursing homes in the West are rushing to catch up.

In California, a more stringent law to bring emergency power in nursing homes up to code is expected by the California Association of Health Facilities to cost over $1 billion. But the state has not allocated any funding for these facilities to comply, said Corey Egel, the association’s director of public affairs. The association is asking state officials to delay implementation of the law for five years, to Jan. 1, 2029.

Most nursing homes operate on a razor’s edge in terms of federal reimbursement, Dosa said, and it’s incredibly expensive to retrofit an old building to keep up with new regulations.

Frasier’s three buildings for its 300 residents in independent living apartments each have their own generators, in addition to two generators for assisted living and skilled nursing, but none is hooked up to emergency air conditioning or heat because those systems require too much energy.

Keeping residents warm during a minus-10-degree night or cool during two 90-degree days in Boulder “are the kinds of things we need to think about as we consider a future with preemptive power outages,” Mendez said.

Federal audits of emergency preparedness at nursing homes in California and Colorado found facilities lacking. In Colorado, eight of 20 nursing homes had deficiencies related to emergency supplies and power, according to the report. These included three nursing homes without plans for alternate energy sources like generators and four nursing homes without documentation showing generators had been properly tested, maintained, and inspected.

For Debra Saliba, director of UCLA’s Anna and Harry Borun Center for Gerontological Research, making sure nursing homes are part of emergency response plans could help them respond effectively to any kind of power outage. Her study of nursing homes after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake that shook the Los Angeles area in 1994 motivated LA County to integrate nursing homes into community disaster plans and drills.

Too often, nursing homes are forgotten during emergencies because they are not seen by government agencies or utilities as health care facilities, like hospitals or dialysis centers, Saliba added.

Albertson said she is working with hospitals and community emergency response coalitions in Colorado on disaster preparedness plans that include nursing homes. But understanding Xcel Energy’s prioritization plan for power restoration would also help her prepare, she said.

Bryant said Xcel Energy’s prioritization plan for health facilities specifies not whether their electricity will be turned off during a public safety power shut-off — but how quickly it will be restored.

Julie Soltis, Frasier’s director of communications, said the home had plenty of blankets, flashlights, and batteries during the outage. But Frasier plans to invest in headlamps for caregivers, and during a town hall meeting, independent living residents were encouraged to purchase their own backup power for mobile phones and other electronics, she said.

Soltis hopes her facility is spared during the next public safety power shut-off or at least given more time to respond.

“With weather and climate change, this is definitely not the last time this will happen,” she said.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.