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Why it’s so tough to reduce unnecessary medical care

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

Markian Hawryluk | (TNS) KFF Health NewsThe U.S. spends huge amounts of money on health care that does little or nothing to help patients, and may even harm them. In Colorado, a new analysis shows that the number of tests and treatments conducted for which the risks and costs exceed the benefits has barely budged despite a decade-long attempt to tamp down on such care.The state — including the government, insurers, and patients themselves — spent $134 million last year on what is called low-value care, according to the report by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care, a Denver nonprofit that collects billing data from health plans across Colorado. The top low-value items in terms of spending in each of the past three years were prescriptions for opiates, prescriptions for multiple antipsychotics, and screenings for vitamin D deficiency, according to the analysis.Nationwide, those treatments raise costs, lead to health complications, and interfere with more appropriate care. B...

Defense carries Wakefield past Melrose in 7-3 slugfest

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

WAKEFIELD – In what turned out to be a defensive affair, Wakefield was able to get a timely turnover on defense to seal its third straight Thanksgiving Day victory over longtime rival Melrose.Sophomore Myles Sanchez came up with the interception with 20 seconds left as the Warriors edged the Red Raiders, 7-3, on what could have been the 200th win for Melrose coach Tim Morris.“Tim is a great coach,” said Wakefield coach John Rafferty on the victory. “There’s a reason he has so many wins. Without a doubt, he’s a great coach with a great staff and a great program. With that being the case, we just look at it in our own small little world here and we are just trying to be successful regardless of the circumstances.”With 5:18 left, Melrose (7-4) started on its own 31. Six plays later, the Red Raiders were in business with a first-and-goal at the Warriors’ 10.After a couple running plays, Melrose had the ball at the 5 with 23 seconds to go. Senior Connor Brophy stepped up in the pocket an...

North Quincy rolls past Quincy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

QUINCY — For 91 years, Patriot League foes Quincy and North Quincy have delivered one classic after the next, and Ben Hudach became the latest member to etch his name into Raiders lore.The senior running back had 79 yards rushing to go with 35 yards receiving, accounting for three total touchdowns as North Quincy (5-6) coasted to a 43-20 romp in the contest’s latest installment.“Every year is different,” Craig said. “You can see how the season goes, but Quincy vs. North Quincy, you throw the records out. Those kids played tough today. Well respect to them and their staff over there. They were ready to go, we were ready to go, and it’s always a great game.”Despite battling nagging leg injuries all season long, Hudach saved his best performance for last. As did junior quarterback Mikey Galligan, who finished 12-for-20 passing with 238 yards and a trio of scores himself.After pinning the Presidents deep with a punt early on, the Raiders forced a safety to take a 2-0 lead. North Quincy ...

Weight-loss drugs will be sold as pills, with just as many side effects and cost issues

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

Madison Muller | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsNovo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co. are touting pill versions of their blockbuster weight-loss drugs that could come as soon as next year. But if you’re expecting something cheaper and with fewer side effects, think again.Obesity pills under development have some major shortcomings in ease of use and side effects that patients may not be prepared for. And if a tablet from Novo that’s already on the market is any guide, some will cost just as much as the injections that are already giving patients and insurers pause.Shots like Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo’s Wegovy are more than just fodder for late-night talk shows: They’re a gold mine that’s propelled the companies to dizzying valuations and lured other drugmakers into the field. Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc are looking at oral medicines to make inroads into a market projected to reach $100 billion within seven years.“The orals will play a very significant role, because not everybody likes i...

Alex Barlow powers Duxbury past Marshfield in battle of Super Bowl teams

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

DUXBURY — Duxbury and Marshfield have Super Bowl games slated for Gillette Stadium, but the Patriot League titans were playing for the Keenan Division title prize Thursday at chilly Chandler Memorial Field.The Rams came in with a powerful offense, but it was running back Alex Barlow who made the most damage for the Dragons in their dramatic 23-21 win. Matt Landolfi’s Duxbury (10-1) squad won the Keenan title. Marshfield (9-3) was coming off a huge upset over two-time defending Super Bowl champion Catholic Memorial.Barlow was tremendous, as he bulled his way to a pair of 63-yard touchdown runs along with a five-yard jaunt. He finished with a monstrous 292 total yards. After accepting the offensive MVP award, he gave credit to the Dragons’ defense.“They said Marshfield’s the best offense in the state,” said Barlow. “We must be the best defense in the state.”Duxbury wasted no time at all running out to a 7-0 advantage. Zac Falls went high to pu...

Kelliher gets a win in his final game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

HANSON – Everyone has their daily routine for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. The warm morning beverage and the smell of turkey and fixings in the oven. But while some things remain constant, the day for Abington head coach Jim Kelliher will never be the same.Kelliher left the field for the final time in his 50th season at the helm as his Green Wave rolled out the green carpet in his finale with a 46-6 resounding victory over rival Whitman-Hanson. Abington (8-3) upended the Panthers with six unanswered touchdowns, five in the second half, in the 112th meeting of the rivals.“You might see me mowing my lawn,” said Kelliher, who finishes his career on the sidelines at 313-209-8, fourth all-time on the list of All-Time Winningest Coaches in state history. “I don’t know if I’m going to be sleeping, might sit up all night and think about all the years. It’s going to be different but at the same time I’m going to be happy. Kids were mentally ready for this game and ready to handle anything t...

One way to reduce holiday stress: reframe gift traditions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

By Annie Millerbernd | NerdWalletHave you made your holiday gift shopping list yet?Do you find that question stressful?Holiday shopping can bring up plenty of anxiety-inducing questions. What does the scent you pick for your sister-in-law’s candle say about what you think of her? Does your son still want the video game he mentioned in August? Why does a hair curling iron cost $600?More than half of holiday shoppers (55%) say buying gifts stresses them out, according to NerdWallet’s 2023 Holiday Shopping Report.To cut back on shopping stress, consider making gift-giving a smaller and less expensive part of your holiday. Traditions don’t change easily in many circles, so here are some tips to get you started.Communicate spending expectationsIf you want to change the way your group gives gifts, communicate your financial boundaries clearly, says Ambus Hunter IV, an accredited financial counselor based in Baltimore. This could mean setting a spending limit that’s lower than previous yea...

Catholic Memorial routs BC High, earns share of CC title

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

Zach Brown’s final high school football act was memorable.Brown rushed for 174 yards and two second-half touchdowns as Catholic Memorial pulled away from rival BC High for a 50-22 win on Thanksgiving Day at Murphy Family Stadium.The Knights’ win, coupled with Xaverian’s defeat of previously unbeaten St. John’s Prep, means the Catholic Conference finishes in a three-way tie.Brown’s standout performance was fitting for the Knights as the senior filled the void left behind by a litany of injured Knights.“The number of injuries we’ve had was incredible so that just makes it extra rewarding for Zach and the team today,” Catholic Memorial coach John DiBiaso said. “We’d prefer to be playing next week but it’s a good way to end for the seniors.”After the game was over, DiBiaso presented the game ball to 42-year assistant coach Mike Milo who has been by DiBiaso’s side for each of his 15 Super Bowls.“(Milo) ha...

Homelessness problem growing, shelter demand up 30%, staff at Pine Street Inn say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

Needs at Boston’s Pine Street Inn are rising dramatically as the state is flooded with migrants and housing prices skyrocket, according to organizers.While the state’s shelter system is at or near its 7,500 family limit and Massachusetts housing prices on the rise with very little spare stock, the homeless shelter on Harrison Avenue in Boston is seeing an increase in requests for their meal and overnight services, according to Director of Communications Ross Condit.“We are seeing an increase of need this year over last,” Condit said. “It’s the migrants, but it’s also senior citizens, many of whom have been living in their homes for decades and then suddenly a new landlord jacks up the rent and they can’t afford it any longer.”The shelter currently provides permanent housing more than 900 individuals, according to President and Executive Director Lyndia Downie, but will soon expand to more than 1,000.Those people, she said, are the lucky ones. They have left the shelter system ...

Hoffmeister runs wild as Needham defeats Wellesley

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:14:24 GMT

WELLESLEY – With Needham football running so deep in third-generation running back Tate Hoffmeister’s bloodline, failing to win a game between the nation’s oldest public school rivals would’ve been a tough pill to swallow.But he’ll never have to.Hoffmeister rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns in his final high school game Thursday morning, helping the Rockets (10-2) win the 136th edition of their Thanksgiving Day matchup against Wellesley, 21-7.The defense played a critical part with a pair of red zone stops, bringing the Frederick J. Gorman Centennial Trophy back to Needham for the first time since 2018.Wellesley still owns the 66-61-9 all-time record.“It means a lot,” said Rockets head coach Doug Kopsco. “We haven’t even had our team meeting yet because everyone is still clustered around the trophy. You see all the alumni coming back here, being a part of that. I wish we could’ve given that to them, but for them to share in that experience this year, it means everything.”“I’...