Summer is in full swing at the Colorado Health Institute, with summer interns, summer vacations and, of course, crazy summer weather patterns outside our window.
Inside, though, we’re as busy as ever. Here’s what is going on in the office this week.
A new paper by Research Analyst Nina Roumell based on data from the Colorado Health Access Survey finds some surprises when it comes to prescription drugs in our state. While it’s true that prices are rising, the percentage of Coloradans who said they can’t afford to fill a prescription is at a six-year low. Check in later this week to find out why.
How has the uninsured population shifted geographically in Colorado? A new interactive map by Policy Analyst Natalie Triedman visualizes the change between 2013 and 2015. The interactive map accompanies a report published earlier titled “Uneven Progress: 2015 Health Insurance by ZIP Code in Colorado.”
And moving right along through the alphabet, we have published “I,” “J” and “K” in our series of maps delving into data from the 2015 CHAS. Under “I,” we mapped individual market coverage. “J” was job-based coverage. And “K” is kids’ dental coverage. Visit the Insight and Analysis section of our website to review all of the letters so far.
Policy Analyst Tamara Keeney hopped in an Uber and headed to the Mount Vernon Country Club in the foothills of Golden to join a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Colorado Providers Association Wednesday morning. She talked about the demographics of the opioid epidemic in Colorado.
Finally, CHI has a new addition to our staff. Ian Pelto is our new Public Interest Fellow from Colorado College. The year-long fellowship program connects students and graduates with non-profits in Colorado Springs and Denver. Ian graduated in May with a degree in International Political Economy and a minor in Arabic. Outside of class, he stayed busy captaining the varsity Lacrosse team and working as an EMT.
Meanwhile, in case you missed it, Nina wrote a blog about new rules for employee wellness programs that are sparking some controversy. And Natalie and Tamara worked with Manager of Creative Services Brian Clark to create a very cool infographic on Colorado’s aging population titled “65 and Older: Not All the Same.”