Public News Service

Gov. Josh Shapiro ensured $100 million for mental-health services for students and $20 million for mental health support at the county level, in Pennsylvania's 2023-24 budget. (JenkoAtaman/Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Expert: Practical tools, neuroscience help parents build mentally strong kids

As Children's Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off in Pennsylvania, an expert said parents can help their children have a healthy brain to thrive…

According to the American Lung Association, nearly four in 10 people in America live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. (Pcess609/AdobeStock)

PA groups monitoring soot pollution pleased by new EPA standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized stronger air quality standards for soot pollution and one regional organization said it is a step in…

A GeoHealth study reveals census tracts with high Hispanic and Latino populations accounted for 40% of 73,000 childhood asthma cases. (Hihitetlin/Adobe Stock)

Study: PA ranks high for health impacts of oil and gas flaring emissions

A new study raised red flags about respiratory health in Pennsylvania, particularly for those living near oil and gas activity. The study by …

In Pennsylvania, more than 400,000 people are living with Alzheimer's disease. (C. Nathaniel Brown)

Documentary on dementia in African American communities in PA

Alzheimer's disease is the eighth-leading cause of death in Pennsylvania. A documentary on the topic debuts Saturday in Pittsburgh. "Remember Me: …

In Pennsylvania, infants and toddlers qualify for Early Intervention services if they exhibit a 25% or greater developmental delay in one or more key areas of development. (santypan/Adobe Stock)

PA Early Intervention programs vital for child development

A new study highlights the importance of Pennsylvania's Early Intervention program and its services for infants and toddlers at risk of developmental …

A 412Justice report reveals many nearby communities experience higher rates of childhood asthma and more emergency room visits during bad air days, which are happening more frequently. Residents also have experienced higher risk of cancer. (Breathe Project)

Environmental groups rally at U.S. Steel for 'voice at the table'

People working for environmental justice are rallying today at the downtown Pittsburgh headquarters of U.S. Steel, voicing their concerns to company …

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is seeking $112 million in new funding to produce more graduates in six high-growth jobs, including social services. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

'Empowering Social Workers,' in March and beyond

Social workers are in the spotlight in March for National Professional Social Work Month. They play a crucial role in addressing society's most …

Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who do not. (Georgerudy/AdobeStock)

Expert tips to prevent cavities for Children's Dental Health Month

During Children's Dental Health Month in February, parents are encouraged to establish good oral health habits early on so kids can avoid dental …

Black children are more than six times more likely to re-enter foster care than white children.<br />(Jade M/peopleimages.com)<br />

Report: Strengthening PA child-welfare system for kids, families

The 14th annual "State of Child Welfare in Pennsylvania" report is out. It shows some progress but also highlights ongoing areas of concern. Reports …

The report reveals that Pennsylvania is ranked 46th in the nation for public health funding, with $136 state dollars allocated to public health per person, less than the $183 per person national average. (Chinnapong/AdobeSTock)

Report: PA needs work on managing, preventing chronic conditions

Pennsylvania ranks 23rd among states for the overall health of Pennsylvanians in a new America's Health Rankings report by the United Health Foundatio…

Asian children are the only group to have continued seeing improved uninsured rates from 2019 pre-pandemic to the present: From 4.4% in 2019, down to 4.2% in 2021 and 3.8% in 2022. (Tom Wang/Adobe Stock)

PA sees drop in health insurance coverage for children as national rates rise

A new analysis of 2022 census data has uncovered a troubling trend: The uninsured rate for Pennsylvania children worsened during the final full year o…

The United Health Foundation's 2023 Health of Women and Children report cited some strengths in Pennsylvania, including a low rate of foster-care placement instability, a high childhood immunization rate and low percentage of uninsured women ages 19-44. (Adobe Stock)

Report shows uptick in maternal mortality for PA women of color

Pennsylvania ranks 23rd among states for the overall health of women and children in a new America's Health Rankings report by the United Health Found…

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60% to 80% of cases, according to a report by the Alzheimer's Association. (Prostock-Studio/Adobe Stock)

Virtual forum to educate Pennsylvanians on Alzheimer's, related disorders

Alzheimer's disease is the eighth leading causes of death in Pennsylvania, prompting state officials to educate the public on the condition and …

New Jersey's Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act requires a physician to determine whether the patient is a New Jersey resident before writing a prescription for the medication. (Jon Anders Wiken/Adobe Stock)

Some Terminally Ill PA Patients Seek Medical Aid Across State Lines

Some Pennsylvania patients with long-term chronic illnesses are hoping to make legal headway, allowing them to seek medical aid in dying across state …

Aspartame has been widely used in various food and beverage products since the 1980s, including diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream and dairy products such as yogurt and more. (Alex Yeung/AdobeStock)

WHO: Artificial Sweetener Aspartame is 'Safe'

Recent media coverage of potential carcinogens in the common artificial sweetener aspartame alarmed people who consume products containing it…

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, about one in three Black Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in his or her lifetime, and studies show that Black men and women have the higher rate of death from cancer than any racial or ethnic group in the United States. (AdobeStock)

Our HAIR Project Empowers Mental Health, Well Being in Communities of Color

In Pennsylvania, the Our HAIR initiative program will provide mental health support for Medicaid members at local Black salons and barbershops…

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book noted Pennsylvania's average annual cost of center-based child care for a toddler was $11,346, or 10% of the median income for a married couple and 35% of a single mother's income in the state. (DenisProduction.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Ranks 22nd Among States in Child Well-Being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children. It is 22nd overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

Pennsylvania adults with disabilities represent 11% of the population, in terms of mobility<br />and/or cognitive challenges. (Jesse B/peopleimages.com)<br /><br />

PA Starts on New 'Master Plan for Older Adults'

A new Master Plan for Older Adults is being developed in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Thursday, directing the …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity that requires moderate effort. (TMdlungu/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Experts: Women's Health Month Prioritizes Health, Well-Being

May is National Women's Health Month, and experts are reminding women to prioritize their health and well-being. Brenda Shelton-Dunston, executive …

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021 more than a third of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alberto/AdobeStock)

Report: Black Girls Speak Out About Public Schools in Pennsylvania

A new report found Black girls across the Keystone State are subjected to "daunting educational barriers" in K-12 public schools and offers recommenda…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 15 minutes a person in the United States dies from an infection that's resistant to treatment with existing antimicrobial drugs.(Tashatuvango/AdobeStock)

Reintroduction of PASTEUR Act to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the PASTEUR Act in Congress, which stands for Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End …

The Philadelphia Public School District purchased its first five electric school buses in 2022 and says it plans to expand its fleet this year to reduce its carbon footprint. (Viktoriia/Adobe Stock)

More PA Districts Look to Upgrade School Buses with EPA Grants

School districts in Pennsylvania and across the country can apply for grant funding to get new buses that run on cleaner fuel sources. There's $400 …

Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program covers dental and vision care, as well as medical care. (Halfpoint/AdobeStock)

Pennsylvania DHS Now Oversees Children's Health Insurance Program

As families enrolled in Medicaid transition to the Children's Health Insurance Program, it is important for them to know Pennsylvania has changed how …

According to the American Lung Association, an EPA review of research on the health effects of fine particle pollution concluded non-white populations face higher risks. (Harold Stiver/Adobe Stock)

PA Group: Stronger EPA Soot Standard Would Save Lives

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing tougher air-quality standards for soot pollution, and a Pennsylvania clean-air advocacy group said …

According to a mental health workforce study, Pennsylvania is one of many states struggling with a shortage of mental-health practitioners, especially in rural communities. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

PA Needs More Mental, Behavioral Healthcare Workers

A Pennsylvania children's advocacy group said the state should be doing more to help end a critical staffing shortage of mental and behavioral health …

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that to reduce glare, consider a matte screen filter for your device. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen and dimming nearby lighting can also help reduce eye strain. (AdobeStock)

Blue-Light Exposure May Affect Your Eyes, Sleep and Health

The increased use of digital devices, computers, television and tablets exposes us to more blue light each day. Eye professionals are concerned the …

A known risk factor for glaucoma is elevated intraocular, or internal eye, pressure. (Nicholas Felix/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Eye Screenings Recommended for Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. It is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and anyone can have it, so a Pennsylvania expert said it is one …

Every four in a half minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Elena/AdobeStock)

National Birth Defects Awareness Month in PA

This is National Birth Defects Awareness Month. Birth defects are common, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they can …

Report: More PA Kids had Health Insurance During Pandemic

A new report says during the pandemic, more children were able to keep their health insurance in the Commonwealth. The "State of Children's Health" …

Every year, close to 90,000 people in Pennsylvania are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. (Tuan_azizi/Adobe Stock)

National Diabetes Month: PA Insurers Focus on More Affordable Insulin

It is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the American Diabetes Association said at least 1.2 million Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with the …

Vaccine-preventable diseases, such as chicken pox, meningitis, measles and whooping cough are still seen across the commonwealth, according to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health. (InsideCreativeHouse/Adobe Stock)

Health Professionals Urge Back-to-School Checkups for PA Kids

As a new school year starts, experts are reminding Pennsylvania parents not to overlook some important health screenings for kids. The required …

In Pennsylvania, one out of 12 high schoolers has attempted suicide. The report suggests students of color need more support, as one in eight Black students and more than one in seven Hispanic students tried to take their own life. (MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pennsylvania Ranks 21st in Nation for Child Well-Being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation …

Abortions are still legal in Pennsylvania through the 23rd week of pregnancy. (TRAC1/Adobe Stock)

PA Groups' Call to Action for Reproductive Rights

The battle rages on after last month's last-minute move in the Pennsylvania Senate to include anti-abortion language in a budget bill, as well as …

Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program covers kids' dental and vision care as well as medical care. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

PA Touts Success of Children’s Health Insurance Program

The Children's Health Insurance Program, covering low-income kids across the country, turns 25 in August, but Pennsylvania has had its own "CHIP" …

The America's Health Rankings report found an 11.5% increase in the number of Pennsylvanians over age 60 experiencing food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Sees Drug Overdose Spike in Older Adults

Older people in Pennsylvania are dying from drug overdoses at much higher rates now compared to a decade ago, according to the latest America's …

A recent survey found that 66% of nurses nationwide experienced burnout and extreme stress because of their experience during COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Urge PA Lawmakers to Pass Patient Safety Act

Since the beginning of the pandemic, several states have passed "safe staffing" laws aimed at balancing patient-nurse ratios in hospitals. In …

Una encuesta reciente encontr� que el 66% de las enfermeras en todo el pa�s experimentaron agotamiento y estr�s extremo debido a su experiencia durante COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Defensores instan a legisladores de PA a aprobar la Ley de Seguridad del Paciente

Desde el comienzo de la pandemia, varios estados han aprobado leyes de "personal seguro" destinadas a equilibrar la proporción de pacientes y …

Other priorities of the Pennsylvania Lead-Free Promise Project include securing an annual $20 million to establish a lead remediation fund for homeowners facing financial hardship. (Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lead-Free Promise Project)

'It's Preventable': PA Campaign Urges Action on Lead Poisoning

Advocates have launched a new push focused on getting Pennsylvania lawmakers to pass legislation that protects children from lead-paint poisoning…

Otras prioridades del Lead-Free Promise Project de Pensilvania incluyen asegurar $20 millones anuales para establecer un fondo de remediaci�n de plomo para propietarios que enfrentan dificultades financieras. (Cortes�a del Lead-Free Promise Project de Pensilvania)

Es prevenible: campaña propone medidas contra envenenamiento por plomo

Defensores han lanzado un nuevo impulso centrado en lograr que los legisladores de Pensilvania aprueben una legislación para proteger a los ni…

In a 2020 survey conducted during the pandemic, 52% of military veterans and service members said their mental health had worsened since socially distancing. (Adobe Stock)

During Mental Health Awareness Month, 'Be There' for Military Vets

May marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month. In Pennsylvania, officials want to ensure that veterans know mental-…

Philadelphia lawmakers present a check for $1 million to Tracy Wood, executive director of Black Doctors Consortium. (Screenshot via Facebook Live)

Philadelphia Lawmakers Secure $13.8M for Health Equity

The gaps in the U.S. health care system were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with racial health inequities laid bare. On Monday, Philadelphia …

Participants in the Little Scandinavia program at SCI Chester will be chosen through a lottery system with the goal of creating a population that reflects the greater prison population. (Commonwealth Media Services)

PA's 'Little Scandinavia' Prison Unit to Focus on Rehabilitation

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has officially launched "Little Scandinavia," a unit in a state prison to focus on rehabilitation and reint…

Close to half of the students who responded to <a href=

the Pennsylvania Youth Survey in 2021 said during the pandemic, they "played more online games with others" than they usually do. (Adobe Stock)">

Parents, Advocates Voice Concerns about Social-Media Impact on Youth

It's no secret that the last two years of the pandemic have taken a toll on young people's mental health. During this Mental Health Awareness Month…

Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers and reproductive-rights advocates gathered at Independence Mall in Philadelphia Wednesday in the wake of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. (Commonwealth Media Services)

PA Officials, Advocates Rally for Abortion Access After Leaked SCOTUS Draft

Advocates from Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania and state officials gathered in Philadelphia Wednesday to stand firm on protecting abortion access…

More than 400 personal-care homes in Pennsylvania that served low-income clients, or 46% of the statewide total, have closed since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

PA Health Officials Want More Funding for Personal-Care Homes

Pennsylvania officials visited a personal-care home in York County on Wednesday to highlight the need for continued investment in the state's long-ter…

Pennsylvanians who suspect their poultry is infected with avian influenza can report concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic<br />Services at 717-772-2852, option 1. (Adobe Stock)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu Found at Lancaster County Poultry Farm

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a flock of commercial layer chickens …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends employees wear a face mask while at work. (Adobe Stock)

Anxious About Returning to the Office? Experts Offer Tips on How to Cope

With COVID cases waning, more employers are asking workers to return to the office for the first time since the pandemic began, and mental health …

Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal includes a statewide minimum wage to $12 an hour on July 1, 2022, with ongoing annual increases until it reaches $15 an hour in 2027. The average wage for a social worker in Pennsylvania is $17 an hour. (Adobe Stock)

Behavioral Health Orgs: $12 Wage a Challenge without Funding Boost

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering Gov. Tom Wolf's final budget proposal, which includes raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by July…

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