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The Indiana Department of Health 2022 Pregnancy Termination Report showed March as the month when the most abortions were performed. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Advocates: Ease of access to contraception could lower accidental pregnancies

Vending machines commonly found in workplace break rooms generally contain soft drinks or snacks but one machine in Indianapolis dispenses unconventio…

Access to screenings is supported through insurance coverage and assistance programs for the uninsured or underinsured. (Adobe stock)

Young Hoosiers urged to get cancer screening

The recent health diagnosis for Catherine, Princess of Wales, is shining a spotlight on the importance for Hoosiers younger than 50 to be screened …

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Adobe stock)

IN students fed tasty lessons for healthy eating habits

Schools play a critical role in nurturing Hoosier children's health and well-being which lay the foundation for lifelong eating habits. Throughout …

According to the Indiana Cancer Consortium's Cancer Facts and Figures Report, about two in five Hoosiers will eventually develop cancer. (Adobe Stock)

Purdue researchers see possible link with dog, human cancer treatments

In the first experiment of its kind, Purdue University researchers treated canines diagnosed with cancer using chemotherapy to see if their response …

The 2024 Kids Count Data Book serves as a call to action in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IN youth making progress despite challenges

The newly released 2024 Kids Count Data Book finds the well-being of Indiana is better this year than last. More than 1.5 million children live in …

The World Health Organization says consuming less salt and more fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise can reduce the rate of cardiovascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

Sleepless nights can disrupt healthy heartbeat, internal clock

This is American Heart Month and new findings published by the American Heart Association showed irregular sleeping patterns -- over years, weeks or …

The first World Cancer Day was observed Feb. 4, 2000, at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. (Adobe stock)

Indiana celebrates 'tremendous strides' on World Cancer Day

Scientists, oncologists and patients in Indiana are celebrating years of medical breakthroughs ahead of World Cancer Day on Sunday. Nearly 25 years …

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, about one in two adults who smoke cigarettes want to quit. (Adobe Stock)

Report grades IN on tobacco use rates, public policy

Indiana does not fare well in a new report on what state and federal officials are, or could be, doing to discourage tobacco use. The American Lung …

The two most common methods of suicide by Black youth are by firearm and suffocation, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (Adobe Stock)

Research confirms social media's deadly effects on youth of color

Social media platforms are used by practically everyone, but most widely by teens. One study pinpoints a link between online racism and higher rates …

According to Facts.net, Scottish Terriers live between 11 and 13 years on average. Former presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and George W. Bush had them as beloved pets. (Adobe Stock)

IN researchers hope canine cancer study could help humans

Pets are often considered beloved family members, and like any loved one, their health is a priority. Research from Purdue University has found a …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds loneliness costs the U.S. economy around $406 billion a year, along with an estimated $6.7 billion a year in Medicare costs for socially isolated older adults. (Adobe Stock)

Happier New Year? Post-holiday blues may linger for Hoosiers

As festive as the holidays can be, isolation and loneliness peak at this time of year for some Hoosiers. A 2022 survey found 55% of Americans …

In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease, studies have shed light on several other potential health benefits associated with vacationing, including decreased depression, less stress and improved productivity. (Adobe Stock)

Holiday travel takes patience for Hoosier heart patients

AAA is projecting a record 7.5 million air passengers will travel over the next two weeks. Cardiologists and the American Heart Association suggest …

Gov. Eric Holcomb on Aug. 4 signed into law an abortion ban, making Indiana the first state to pass the restrictive law after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. (Adobe Stock)

IU Prof: SCOTUS taking up abortion pill a 'momentous occurrence'

As the United States Supreme Court decides whether the abortion pill is safe, some legal scholars predict the decision may backfire on anti-abortion …

Holding back feelings and not speaking up when someone makes an off-color comment can lead to depression and health problems including immune dysfunction, hypertension and even cancer. (Adobe Stock)

Defusing holiday arguments before they begin

In today's politically polarized world, holiday office parties and family gatherings can lead to increased tensions, arguments and even long term …

The American Red Cross says a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. (Adobe Stock)

Holiday giving: Red Cross seeks more blood donations

The holiday season of giving has people searching for the perfect present for loved ones. One gift can save lives, but only if you'll roll up your …

Ryan White died in April 1990. He is buried in Cicero, Ind. (Joe Ulery)

World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit

As World AIDS Day turns 35, the mother of an Indiana teen who became the public face of the disease is a reminder of the importance of never …

A 2021 AARP report estimates the hourly economic value of unpaid family caregiving in Indiana at $14.61, and those hours add up to $10.8 million per year. (Adobe Stock)

IN family caregivers need more support

About 790,000 Hoosiers are family caregivers for relatives in declining physical or mental health. But Indiana ranks fairly low in support for family …

According to the Indiana Climate Change Impact Assessments from Purdue University, Hoosiers could see temperatures rise by up to about 6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Warmer temps take the October chill out of IN

This time of year, there's usually a seasonal crispness in the air, along with changing leaves and area pumpkin patches. But the warm temperatures …

The National Eczema Association estimates one in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime, with prevalence peaking in early childhood. (Adobe Stock)

National Eczema Awareness Month highlights causes, treatments

October is National Eczema Awareness Month. More than 31 million people in the U.S. have some form of the chronic skin disease, also known as atopic …

USAFacts.org reports in 2020, $12,268 was the average amount spent on health care per Indiana resident. (Adobe Stock)

Time to check out health insurance options for 2024

Open enrollment begins soon for employer-sponsored health insurance for coverage starting Jan 1. Most people will have multiple options to choose …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in five people reports mistreatment while receiving maternity care. Mistreatment is reported most often by Black, Hispanic and multiracial moms, and those with public health insurance or no insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Pregnant Patients of Color Report Mistreatment by Medical Providers

A new study finds that people of color often experience different treatment during and after their pregnancy than do their white counterparts in encou…

According to an Indiana University Public Policy Institute study, nearly 68% of the state's unhoused population identifies as male, 32% as female, and less than 1% as transgender. (Adobe Stock)

Extreme Heat Creates Dangerous Conditions for Unhoused in IN

An excessive heat warning and an air quality alert are making life challenging in Indiana and across the Midwest this week. For those who are …

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Indiana ranks 18th among states for the rate of dis-enrolling Medicaid enrollees after pandemic-era

Help Available to Hoosiers Navigating Medicaid Purge

Thousands of Hoosiers who got their health coverage through Medicaid during the COVID-19 outbreak risk losing it now that the pandemic has ended…

In the 2018-2019 academic year, the Indiana Dept. of Education identified 16,380 unhoused students enrolled in Indiana schools, or about 1.5% of the total student population. (Adobe Stock)

A New Resource for Indiana Youth Facing Homelessness

The number of homeless adults in Indiana was at a troubling level even before the pandemic, and today, another demographic is facing the same …

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 29% of fireworks-related injuries involve hands and fingers, while head and leg injuries each account for 19% of injuries. (Joe Ulery)

Severe Drought Increases Risks at IN Fireworks Shows

For nearly 250 years, Americans have proudly shot fiery red, white and blue explosions high into the night skies. According to one report, Indiana …

Indiana House Bill 1015 allows the state to use cameras to capture and ticket drivers speeding through highway construction zones when workers are present. (Adobe Stock)

Hundreds of New Indiana Laws Start This Weekend

More than 250 new laws take effect Saturday in Indiana. They range from legalizing the ninja weapons known as throwing stars, to creating a 25-foot …

En un informe de 2020, los Centros para el Control y la Prevenci�n de Enfermedades dijeron que los Hoosiers enfrentar�n un costo promedio de por vida de $510,000 para tratar su infecci�n por VIH. (Adobe Stock)

IN VIH/SIDA insta a participar en el Día Nacional de la Prueba del VIH

Antes considerada una sentencia de muerte automática con el primer diagnóstico en 1981, la infección por el virus de la …

According to the Kids Count Data Book, in 2020-21, 9% of children between birth and age five in Indiana lived in families in which someone quit, changed or refused a job because of child care problems. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Child Care Remains Out of Reach for Many Hoosiers

Working Hoosiers are fighting to find child care to mesh with their work schedules, placing Indiana 24th in child well-being, according to a new …

The hazy, smoky conditions that blanket much of the Northeastern U.S. are not expected to improve right away. (Adobe Stock)

Sensitive Respiratory Issues? Stay Indoors

Smoke from wildfires raging in Canada has created the most polluted air on record in New York City. Although Indiana is hundreds of miles away…

A new measure in this year's report shows many older adults spent more than 30% of their income on housing. (Adobe stock)

Report: IN Struggles Turning Around High Early Death Rate

Indiana ranks closer to the bottom of U.S. states where you will find healthy seniors living than the top, according to a new report. …

Late-stage Alzheimer's patients generally need around-the-clock assistance with daily living tasks like eating and bathing. An estimated 6.7 million older Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. (Adobe Stock)

Alzheimer's Diagnoses Expected to Rise as IN Population Ages

Stress and normal aging often are blamed for a misplaced cell phone, car keys or the words to a familiar song. But these also could be the warning …

Los pacientes con Alzh�imer en etapa avanzada generalmente necesitan asistencia las 24 horas del d�a con las tareas de la vida diaria, como comer y ba�arse. Se estima que 6,7 millones de estadounidenses mayores viven con la enfermedad de Alzheimer. (Adobe Stock)

Diagnósticos de Alzheimer podrían aumentar mientras envejece población de IN

El estrés o el envejecimiento son razones comunes atribuidas a extraviar un teléfono celular, las llaves del auto u olvidar la letra de una …

Either the Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokia or Dr. Caitlin Bernard can appeal the Indiana Medical Licensing Board's decision in Marion County Superior Court. (Adobe Stock)

Board Fines Indiana Doc for Speaking about 10-Year-Old's Abortion

An Indiana licensing board has fined a local physician $3,000 and handed her a letter of reprimand after she went public about a 10-year-old Ohio pati…

Advocates say Mental Health Awareness Month helps fight the stigma that is often associated with mental illness. (Adobe stock)

May in Indiana About More Than Racing

Ask Hoosiers to describe May in Indiana, and you'll likely hear about the Indianapolis 500, but this month is about more than racing. May is Mental …

According to Indiana Suicide Prevention, the state's suicide rate in 2017 was the highest rate observed in over five decades. (Adobe Stock)

Hospital Network Collaborates to Boost Suicide Prevention

Indianapolis-based Community Health Network is part of a new group of hospitals working together to stop suicide. Research shows half the people who …

Women of color, both in Indiana and nationally, experience higher rates of stillborn births and infant mortality. Experts say there are multiple factors, including stress and economic, racial and gender discrimination. (Adobe Stock)

IN Minority Health Coalition Works to Lower Infant Mortality Rates

Indiana ranks eighth in the country for stillbirth and infant mortality numbers, as many counties lack access to obstetric care. One out of every 16…

The Indiana Department of Health says people should properly store products away from children if labels contain these words: toxic, irritant, corrosive or flammable. (Adobe Stock)

Spring Cleaning Priority: Prevent Accidental Poisoning at Home

It's the time of year when people start thinking about spring cleaning and lawn care - which also means more exposure to health risks from products th…

El Departamento de Salud de Indiana dice que las personas deben almacenar adecuadamente los productos fuera del alcance de los ni�os si las etiquetas contienen estas palabras: t�xico, irritante, corrosivo o inflamable. (Adobe Stock)

Prioridad de limpieza primaveral: Prevenir envenenamiento accidental en hogar

Es la época del año en que las personas comienzan a pensar en la limpieza de primavera y el cuidado del césped, lo que también …

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine looked not only at their own data, but at other research indicating connections between adverse psychiatric behaviors and the full moon. (Adobe Stock)

IU Research Finds Suicides Increase During Full Moon

For hundreds of years, sky gazers have speculated the full moon affects human behavior and mental health, and it turns out our ancestors were onto …

Delayed speech and language skills in children could suggest an autism spectrum disorder. Left undiagnosed, a child can struggle in school and lack important socialization skills. (Adobe Stock)

IN Parents Urged to 'Act Early' to Help Detect Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month, and Indiana has made early detection a priority. According to the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at Indiana …

Researchers hope a blood test which detects anxiety will soon have wider use by physicians. (Adobe Stock)

IU Researchers Make Medical “Breakthrough" with Anxiety Blood Test

A new blood test developed at the Indiana University School of Medicine may shake up how doctors treat patients who suffer from anxiety disorders…

Research shows that the rate of bystander-administered CPR is 12% higher in states where high school-age teens are required to learn resuscitation techniques. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

NFL Player's Cardiac Arrest Points up Importance of CPR Training

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

More people in the United States are dying prematurely, including a notable increase in drug deaths, according to a new report released by United Healthcare. (krisana/Adobe Stock)

Report: Drug Overdoses Killing More People in Indiana, Nationwide

More Indianans are struggling with substance use disorders, according to the latest America's Health Rankings report. State data show six Indiana …

Studies show at least 25% of today's global warming is driven by human-caused methane emissions. (bednarek/Adobe Stock)

Tougher EPA Methane Regulations Could Improve Indiana Air Quality

As part of the U.S. clean-energy transition, the Biden administration has made slashing methane emissions a priority, and has new supplemental …

Early diagnosis rates in America have increased 17% over the last five years. (Adobe Stock)<br />

State of Lung Cancer Report has Indiana Behind the Curve

The American Lung Association has released its 2022 State of Lung Cancer report, which shows Indiana has some work to do. The leading cause of lung …

More than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana University Awarded $50 Million to Continue Alzheimer’s Research

November is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, and researchers at Indiana University were recently awarded $50 million to study the field further…

In 2022, more than 156,000 Indiana residents purchased their health coverage online, through the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange. (Adobe Stock)

Open Enrollment for ACA Insurance Begins Nov. 1 in Indiana

Open enrollment season for health insurance is upon us, and Hoosiers who want to get the right kinds of coverage have a lot to consider. More than a …

Hispanic students account for about 4.7% of nursing school graduates in Indiana compared to 7.1% of the state's general population. (Adobe Stock)

Research Makes Case for Expanding Diversity in Nursing

Nurses are at the forefront of patient outcomes, and experts say a workforce that better reflects the population it serves can help reduce healthcare …

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IN: Health