News
Hepatitis C is a growing concern in Los Angeles’ jails, but it can be prevented.
Hepatitis C is a growing crisis within the Los Angeles County jail system, with thousands of inmates living with the potentially deadly but curable disease. As a former doctor within the system, I witnessed firsthand the lack of adequate treatment for hepatitis C patients and the dire need for a more comprehensive approach to combating this infection.
The prevalence of hepatitis C within the jails is alarmingly high, with more than a third of inmates testing positive for the virus. This indicates that the number of individuals carrying the infection within the nation’s largest jail system is likely in the thousands. While hepatitis C treatment has evolved significantly over the years, with modern medicine offering a cure for almost every patient, the current system in place within the jails is failing to provide proper care and prevention measures.
Untreated hepatitis C continues to claim the lives of approximately 14,000 Americans every year, surpassing the mortality rate of HIV. With the availability of effective treatments, these deaths are entirely preventable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal screening for adults to detect and treat hepatitis C promptly.
Despite the importance of monitoring and managing contagion within correctional facilities, the screening and treatment of hepatitis C in L.A.’s jails remain inadequate. Medical providers often overlook the disease during initial screenings, and treatment is only considered for patients with advanced liver fibrosis, delaying the necessary care for many inmates.
The reluctance to treat hepatitis C within the jails appears to stem from financial concerns and inertia, as the medications are costly and under patent. However, the decreasing cost of these drugs has made treatment more accessible in other states and countries. Furthermore, treating hepatitis C is cost-effective in the long run, as it reduces the risk of severe health complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
While some progress has been made in recent years, such as expanding treatment eligibility criteria and streamlining the medication delivery process, there is still a significant gap in screening and treatment within the jail system. Illicit drug use and unsanitary practices among inmates continue to facilitate the spread of hepatitis C, perpetuating the cycle of infection.
It is essential to address the hepatitis C crisis within L.A.’s jails with a strategic and coordinated plan of testing and treatment. By focusing on eliminating the virus within the incarcerated population, we can significantly reduce infection rates both within and beyond the jails. The current state of affairs is unacceptable in 2024, and urgent action is needed to prevent needless deaths and curb the spread of hepatitis C.
In conclusion, hepatitis C should be the next major pathogen to be targeted for eradication, and Los Angeles’ jails present a crucial battleground in this fight. By implementing effective screening and treatment protocols, we can make significant progress in combating this disease and improving public health outcomes. The time to act is now, and the lives of thousands of individuals within the jail system depend on our commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?