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In a 2022 South Dakota News Watch poll, 79% of South Dakota voters said they think the state tax on groceries should be lowered or repealed. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Measure to end sales tax on groceries could go to SD voters

South Dakotans face high prices at the grocery store and some are working to ease the burden. A new report from the Federal Trade Commission finds …

In 2019, South Dakota ranked lowest in the nation for average Medicaid base payments made to nursing facilities, covering just 60% of the daily costs of care. (Adobe Stock)

Nursing homes get a boost from SD Legislature

Nursing homes across South Dakota will soon receive a boost in support, as part of the most recent legislative session. Facilities caring for …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 36 children around the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Creating a supportive classroom for students with ASD

April is Autism Acceptance Month and as rates grow, support organizations in South Dakota hope more children on the spectrum get the tools they need …

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking. Officials say it can include a walk on your lunch hour, if possible. (Adobe Stock)

Go for a walk and kick workplace sluggishness aside

Tomorrow is National Walking Day in the U.S., and in states like South Dakota, health experts and business leaders are trying to convince more people …

Advocates for community health centers say the extra money they're in line to receive from Congress is the first notable funding boost they've seen in more than a decade. (Adobe Stock)

Community health centers get long-awaited funding lifeline

The bipartisan spending deal approved by Congress provides a boost to community health centers in South Dakota and around the country. The package of …

To date, 40 states, including South Dakota, have expanded Medicaid with help from the Affordable Care Act. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Medicaid expansion becomes ensnared with work-requirement debate

As South Dakota continues to implement a Medicaid expansion approved by voters in 2022, controversy has emerged with some lawmakers seeking approval …

The American Heart Association says 2,552 deaths from total cardiovascular disease occur each day in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

New data show disconnect in understanding heart disease risks

As American Heart Month gets underway this Thursday, experts are trying to create more awareness in South Dakota and elsewhere. But they're …

For a person in a relationship with someone struggling with an addiction, experts recommend asking for help in planning any holiday gatherings, which allows you to avoid some stress while still supporting your partner. (Adobe Stock)

Navigating the holidays for families experiencing addiction

Celebrating the holiday season can be complicated for households with a loved one dealing with an addiction. A South Dakota expert said there are …

AARP estimates family caregivers in South Dakota provide a total of 74 million hours of unpaid care per year. (Adobe Stock)

Caregiver support in SD likely to receive legislative focus next year

South Dakota's next legislative session is right around the corner, and lawmakers are expected to take a close look at recommendations for enhancing …

State health officials say it can take an ambulance 30 minutes to respond in South Dakota's more remote areas. That's why the health department is working with the American Heart Association to spur more communitywide readiness plans for when a resident experiences a heart attack. (Adobe Stock)

It takes a village, or a community, to respond to heart scares

Today is National Rural Health Day - and in South Dakota, some smaller communities are trying to become more "cardiac ready." Across rural America…

According to South Dakota Health Department data, WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling for more than 13,000 participants, including 1,600 pregnant and postpartum individuals. (Adobe Stock)

SD boosts outreach for WIC participation

South Dakota health leaders have said it can be a challenge to reach people eligible for a long-standing nutrition assistance program for at-risk new …

Federal health officials say people living with dementia often receive fragmented care, making it harder on both the patient and their caregiver as they try to manage their needs. (Adobe Stock)

Streamlining Care for Alzheimer's Patients

This fall, a key federal agency will open up applications for providers who want to join a nationwide model to improve Alzheimer's care. South Dakota …

Health and environmental experts say even just low-level exposure to lead in drinking water can negatively affect a child's development. (Adobe Stock)

Education, Environmental Groups Press for Safe Drinking Water in Schools

With kids in South Dakota and around the nation back in school, the issue of whether all students and staff have access to safe drinking water …

Associations for Community Health Centers say if Congress does not extend federal funding, nearly seven million patients around the United States could lose access to primary care. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Centers Juggle Demand, Operational Headwinds

This week is National Health Center Week. The facilities help to close care gaps in underserved communities, and regional and national leaders hope …

Operators of South Dakota's 988 suicide prevention call and text line say in the coming months, they plan to do more specialized outreach among military veterans and farmers. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the Overhaul of Suicide Prevention Line, One Year In

Assessments continue following the first anniversary of 988, the new version of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In a state with a higher …

In South Dakota, those who have applied for Medicaid coverage in the past but were denied are encouraged to apply again with expanded eligibility ready to begin. (Adobe Stock)

SD Enters Enrollment Phase for Medicaid Expansion

July 1st is the official start date for Medicaid expansion in South Dakota, but health organizations involved with outreach say those who fall under …

OSHA says when developing heat illness prevention plans, companies should have a person on their job site to monitor others for potential signs of heat stroke. (Adobe Stock)

In a Smoky Summer, Outdoor Workers Can't Overlook Heat Threats

Periodic smoky air from Canadian wildfires is getting attention over public health concerns. But people who work outdoors in South Dakota and …

In findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the average annual cost of care for one child in the U.S. was $10,600 in 2021, one-tenth of a couple's average income, and more than one-third of a <br />single parent's income. (Adobe Stock)

Child Care Access Hovers Over SD Child Well-Being Report

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like South Dakota fared better in the …

More than 60% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, and almost half do not have a psychologist, compared with 27% and 19% of urban counties, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

New Report Dives into Challenges, Solutions for Behavioral Care in Rural U.S.

A new report spotlights some of the challenges to accessing behavioral health care for the one in seven Americans who live in rural areas. Those …

South Dakota officials say their new program, which gives rural EMS crews access to telemedicine inside an ambulance, is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

Telemedicine in Motion: SD's Rural EMS Crews Go High-Tech

People might picture a defibrillator or stretcher when they think of a first responder. But what about an iPad? South Dakota says a new program …

According to AARP, South Dakota has roughly 80,000 family caregivers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: SD Sees Big Jump in Economic Value of Unpaid Care

A new report says the efforts of unpaid family caregivers in South Dakota have an economic value of $1.4 billion. The latest estimate from AARP is …

A report published in late February says children of mothers who are abused or neglected were more likely to demonstrate symptoms and behaviors linked to depression, along with other health issues. (Adobe Stock)

New Research Links Child Maltreatment to Generational Health Outcomes

New findings suggest health effects stemming from child maltreatment can be passed on to the next generation. In South Dakota, leaders in early-…

The federal government can have a say in whether states add work requirements to their Medicaid programs. But South Dakota Republicans say it is worth exploring if 2024 brings a change in administrations, despite objections from those who say voters already approved the expansion. (Adobe Stock).

SD Considers Adding Work Requirement to Medicaid Expansion

South Dakota is poised to launch a Medicaid expansion this summer, after voters approved the idea last fall, but there is a legislative push to add a …

South Dakota could soon follow steps taken by states like Utah, which recently approved a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. (Adobe Stock)

SD Plan to Ban Gender-Affirming Care Stokes Privacy Debate

South Dakota is once again locked in a debate over a bill concerning transgender youth. It seeks to ban gender-affirming care, with supporters …

From 2019 to 2020, the U.S. saw a 6% increase in deaths from cardiovascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Heart-Related Deaths Increased During Pandemic's Onset

The U.S. saw a surge in cardiovascular-related deaths during the first year of the pandemic, and voices from South Dakota's health community hope it …

In the past year, consumers saw the biggest inflation hike in 40 years, which took a bite out of grocery budgets. (Adobe Stock)

SD Enters Debate Mode on Grocery Tax Repeal

A South Dakota legislative committee has begun discussions on a plan to repeal the state's grocery tax. It has been a politically divisive issue …

South Dakota's dual-credit program allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credit toward a diploma, while racking up college credits ahead of schedule. (Adobe Stock)

SD Plan: More Students Could 'Make the Grade' in Career Readiness

Like other states, South Dakota has a program allowing high school students to take courses offered at universities and technical colleges. Now…

Those behind a new report calling for a more robust behavioral health workforce say that, as with other professions, the pandemic has placed a lot of strain on provider networks around the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Crisis: Report Offers Clues in Beefing Up Care Network

Most South Dakotans live in federally designated mental-health professional shortage areas, and a new report recommended steps Congress and other …

Roughly 70% of cardiac arrests that do not happen in the hospital occur in homes, meaning a friend or family member is mostly likely to be the person who needs to take action. Health experts say that is why it's important to get CPR training. (Adobe Stock)

Importance of CPR Training Back in Spotlight

Lifesaving measures are getting a lot of attention this week, after an NFL player went into cardiac arrest during a game, and South Dakotans are …

It's estimated that Medicaid expansion in South Dakota will provide coverage to an additional 42,000 people. (Adobe Stock)

SD Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion

South Dakota has joined the more than three dozen states to expand Medicaid. Those who supported the ballot initiative said it goes beyond standard …

Over the past year, several polls have indicated a majority of South Dakotans support Medicaid expansion. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Health Expert Discusses Medicaid Expansion in SD

In less than a week, South Dakota will learn whether voters support expanding Medicaid, where a researcher said approval would especially help tribal …

Federal health officials say falls result in more than three million injuries each year that require an emergency-room visit. (Adobe Stock)

Helping Older Populations Reduce Their Risk for Falls

From COVID infections to dangerously hot weather, older South Dakotans have had a lot of warnings the past couple of years to adhere to. But experts …

A new statewide poll in South Dakota showed a majority of likely voters, including 94% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans, don't want the state to hinder implementation of Medicaid expansion if voters approve the idea this fall. (Adobe Stock)

Latest Poll Shows Continued Support for Medicaid Expansion in SD

New poll results released today showed a majority of South Dakota voters support the expansion of Medicaid. This fall, South Dakotans will be asked …

An annual report measuring child well-being puts South Dakota in the bottom half of states in such areas as health, education and family/community. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health is Focus of New SD Child Well-Being Summary

A new report said South Dakota has made strides in the past decade to improve child well-being, but its authors say there are still plenty of …

A new national study says the average cardiovascular health score - out of a possible 100 - was 64.7 for U.S. adults and 65.5 for children. (Adobe Stock)

New Study: Most Americans' Hearts Not in Great Shape

Good heart health is associated with avoiding a range of medical issues. But new research shows only one in five Americans has optimal cardiovascular …

South Dakota was one of nearly a dozen states that had so-called trigger bans on abortions ready to take place in the event of federal protections being overturned. (Adobe Stock)

With Ban in Place, Abortion-Rights Rallies Planned for SD

Opponents of South Dakota's abortion ban are mobilizing efforts to get the attention of policymakers. Rallies will be held this weekend as organizers …

Planned Parenthood in Minnesota says it is bracing for an influx of patients from the Dakotas. (Fibonacci Blue/Adobestock)

Special SD Legislative Session Planned on Abortion Policy

The South Dakota state Legislature is expected to convene in a special session to reassess abortion laws. Gov. Kristi Noem vowed to call the special …

Depression and lower rates of academic attainment are among the effects that can persist in a child's lifetime after losing a caregiver. (Adobe Stock)

Losing a Caregiver to COVID: Helping Kids Grieve

Roughly 200,000 children in the U.S. have lost a caregiver to COVID-19. In South Dakota, mental-health experts say these cases can have added …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 13% of adult males in the United States are in fair or poor health. (Adobe Stock)

Men's Health Month: It's OK, the Doctor Won't Bite

June is Men's Health Month, and some providers still are trying to convince more men to make room for wellness visits on their calendar. A South …

As of early May, the nationwide out-of-stock percentage for baby formula is 43%. (Adobe Stock)

Dos and Don'ts for SD Parents in Baby-Formula Shortage

South Dakota is among the states hardest hit by the lack of baby formula in stores. There is debate about the underlying factors, but one health …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Hospitals Up Their Care Game for Stroke Patients

Despite a more challenging environment, rural hospitals still are finding ways to provide critical care. That includes stroke patients, and South …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation's long-term care workforce levels are the lowest they've been in 15 years. The industry says that affects patient volume as well as a facility's ability to stay open. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nursing Homes Under Serious Financial Stress

South Dakota continues to grapple with staffing shortages at nursing homes, and a new report found some might not be able to recover financially…

In addition to providing more coverage to the uninsured, supporters of expanding Medicaid say it would act as a stimulus for South Dakota's economy. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Medicaid Expansion Campaign Pivots Back to Voters

The push to expand Medicaid in South Dakota took a brief detour to Pierre last week. Now that lawmakers have had their say, supporters are amplifying …

Around 24% of rural Americans use a post office box, making it a little harder for them to get free COVID tests sent to them directly. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal, Rural Communities Face Barriers for Free COVID Tests

Households across America are receiving free COVID tests sent by mail after the federal government rolled out the option last month. But in states …

Researchers say there's growing evidence that risk factors related to heart disease often intersect with cases of dementia. For example, people considered obese have three times the risk of dementia as those of normal weight. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Heart and Dementia Risk Factors Overlap

During February, Americans are urged to pay closer attention to their heart health. Experts say new findings suggest it can keep your brain in better …

A national report issued in 2021 says if more states create avenues for legal action tied to abortions, the ripple effect would mostly fall on communities of color and those who are economically disadvantaged. (Adobe Stock)

SD Bill Takes Punitive Approach to Governing Reproductive Rights

South Dakota has taken a step in trying to mirror Texas' strict abortion law, potentially paving the way for citizens to sue those involved in a …

Without Medicaid expansion, supporters of the idea say more South Dakotans would have to travel greater distances for care, because more rural hospitals in the state could close. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Older SD Voters Want State to Expand Medicaid

A coalition working to expand Medicaid in South Dakota this week announced petitions have been approved to get the question onto the fall ballot - and…

A nonpartisan analysis says South Dakota government would have to pay for only a small percentage of Medicaid expansion costs, if approved by voters. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Medicaid Expansion for SD Enters Next Phase

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Secretary of State today is expected to receive signatures from a campaign pushing for Medicaid expansion. The …

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SD: Health