WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Working-age Americans are facing mounting problems when it comes to affording health care, a result of what analysts are calling a "perfect storm" of economic woes.

In 2007, 41 percent of working-age Americans -- 72 million people -- reported having medical bill problems or trouble paying off medical debts, up from 34 percent in 2005.

MONDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) -- Hearing loss among American adults may be more common than previously reported, a new study says.

The researchers evaluated 1999 to 2004 survey data from 5,742 people, ages 20 to 69. From 2003 to 2004, 16.1 percent (an estimated 29 million) of American adults had speech frequency hearing loss in one (8.9 percent) or both (7.3 percent) ears, and 31 percent (an estimated 55 million) had high-frequency hearing loss (12 percent in one ear and 19 percent in both ears), the study found.

A new study suggests that more than half of all insured Americans regularly take prescription drugs to treat chronic health problems, with drugs to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol the most widely used, the Associated Press reported.

FRIDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- One in four Americans -- about 12 million people -- who don't have health coverage are eligible for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but aren't enrolled, a new report shows.

By Steven Reinberg
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 25 (HealthDay News) -- One-third of Americans -- even those with health insurance -- say high costs force them to skip needed medical care, a new survey shows.