NPN benefitsBlog

20% Can't Get Health Care in US

20% of Americans cannot afford health care, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Disability Cost of War Won't Go Away

Just a reminder of a study in January at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government that the total projected cost of providing medical care and disability benefits to veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan at $350 billion to $700 billion.

Alzheimer’s and Wandering

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 60 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease will wander, and up to 70 percent of wanderers do so repeatedly. Research estimates that over 127,000 critical wandering incidents occur each year. What's worse is, if they are not found within the first 24 hours, 50% will become seriously injured or die.

© Daniel Scarborough, 2006

68% Parents of Disabled Children Have No Will

Sixty percent of parents don't expect their child with special needs to be financially independent, but 68% of parents haven't written a will, and 29% have done nothing to plan for the child's financial future.

Parents are aware of the need to make plans, but 66% say there is little financial planning information available that focuses on children with special needs. Surprisingly, 85% parents turn to their doctor for financial advice.

The Torn Security Blanket: Children with Special Needs and the Planning Gap

© Daniel Scarborough, 2006

What is the leading cause of injury deaths in in older Americans?

Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths (Murphy 2000) and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma (Alexander 1992).

Sources:

Alexander BH, Rivara FP, Wolf ME. The cost and frequency of hospitalization for fall-related injuries in older adults. American Journal of Public Health 1992;82(7):1020ñ3.

Murphy SL. Deaths: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports, vol. 48, no. 11. Hyattsville (MD): National Center for Health Statistics; 2000.

© Daniel Scarborough, 2005