Health Issues / Public News Service

According to a 2021 study by the American Heart Association, people who take at least 7,000 steps a day have a 50% to 70% lower risk of dying than those who take fewer daily steps. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, October 7, 2022

Walking: A Simple Way to Boost Heart Health

Even for people who think they're too busy to exercise, experts say there's one surefire way to squeeze in a modest workout: walking. Although often …

Methane released into the atmosphere is responsible for at least 25% of current global warming, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. (permianmap.org)

Friday, October 7, 2022

Report: Oil-Field Flaring Emits More Methane than Previously Known

Ahead of revised methane regulations expected from the federal government, a new study shows that gas flaring in oil-producing states such as Texas …

An AARP Maine survey finds Democratic Gov. Janet Mills with a narrow lead over Republican challenger, former Gov. Paul LePage, 51% to 46%. Among voters 50+, the race is tied at 48%, with women voters 50+ giving Mills the slight lead. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, October 7, 2022

Older Voters: A Formidable Factor in Maine Gubernatorial Race

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and her challenger, former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, both are courting votes from Maine's largest contingency -- …

According to the Campaign for Action, Black students account for about 20% of nursing school graduates in Georgia, compared with 31.5% of the general population. (Pixabay)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Better Diversity in Nursing Seen as Improving Access to Care

The connection between hospital patient outcomes and nurse staffing has been well documented in health care research, and experts believe a workforce …

Critics of Arizona's long-term care system are pushing state legislators for more money and staff for the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. (godfather/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

AZ Seniors List Social Security, Long-Term Care Among Top Midterm Issues

New polling has revealed older Arizonans, who make up more than half the state's registered voters, are more likely to support candidates with strong …

Americans have had to pay two to three times more for their medications than people in other countries pay for the same drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Lower Drug Prices Expected After Biden Medicare Move

Some 930,000 Colorado Medicare recipients will save money on medications starting next year, thanks to provisions in President Joe Biden's Inflation …

KFF reports MO HealthNet covers two thirds of all Missouri nursing home residents. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Advocates: Missouri Medicaid Expansion Helping Citizens, Saving Jobs

With health care as a hot topic of debate in the contest for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat, attention is being drawn back to the state's Medicaid …

A temporary intellectual property waiver gave countries around the world better access to COVID-19 vaccines, but did not extend to treatments and tests. (tsuguliev/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

WA Students Call on U.S. to Increase Access to COVID Treatments Globally

As the World Trade Organization meets this week, students across the country are pushing the Biden administration to support more access to COVID-19 …

Abortion pills cannot legally be mailed in Arizona, so a Phoenix clinic is counseling women to pick them up in towns just inside the California border. (Kzenon/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Phoenix Clinic Develops Plan to Work Around Arizona's Strict Abortion Law

An Arizona women's health clinic has devised a novel workaround to help women end their pregnancy without running afoul of the state's strict anti-abo…

The U-S. Department of Justice is calling on Nevada to ensure children have access to therapy,<br />behavior supports, crisis services and care coordination in their communities. (Berit Kessler/Adobestock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Feds Find NV Failing Children With Behavioral-Health Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Justice said the State of Nevada unnecessarily institutionalizes children with behavioral-health disabilities, and the problem …

Aging baby boomers expected to retire could mean a deficit of 15,900 nurses in Texas by 2030, according to nurse.com. (RafaelUrdanetaRojas/Pixabay)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Health Equity Work Continues Amid Texas Nurse Shortage

The pandemic took a toll on the nursing profession, resulting in shortages across the nation and especially Texas, ranked the second-hardest-hit …

Nuestras Ra�ces manages nine urban community gardens in Holyoke, plus four for the Holyoke Education System, supporting over 100 families with locally grown, fresh food. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Celebrating 30 Years of Puerto Rican “Agri-Culture” in Western MA

The Holyoke area is home to many Puerto Rican families who say they will do what they can to help people there as they recover from the latest hurrica…

Researchers say improving diversity in the nursing profession starts with a more inclusive learning environment. (Adobe Stock)

Researcher: AZ's Nursing Workforce Should Reflect its Patients

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

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 155 million Americans live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Highlighted on Depression Screening Day

With many people still struggling in the wake of the pandemic, this week's National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 6 is a reminder to Illinoisans …

According to the Empire Center, the average family health-care plan premium in New York is $23,450. That's 14% above the national average, and the third-highest cost, behind Connecticut and New Hampshire. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

What NYers Should Consider When Buying Healthcare Plans

Many New Yorkers will be shopping for new health insurance plans this month, when open enrollment begins. If you are among them, experts advise it is …

Black students account for about 10% of nursing school graduates in Ohio, compared to 12.6% of the general population. (Adobe Stock)

Researcher: Better Diversity in Nursing Improves Access to Care

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

In Minnesota, an estimated 64-thousand people care for older parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

Caregivers to Candidates: Don't Forget About Us This Election

Issues such as crime and safety are getting a lot of attention on the campaign trail in Minnesota, but those who have taken on the role of family …

Before the EPA's ban, Oregon had planned to phase out the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by 2023. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

As the United States enters into talks over a new trade framework with several nations, America's lax pesticide policy could be a sticking point for …

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 …

The synthetic opioid Fentanyl was present in 93% of the drug-overdose deaths in 2021 for which a toxicology screen was performed, according to the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health. (Adobe Stock)

Narcan Trainers Enlist Public’s Help in Preventing MA Overdose Deaths

At libraries, colleges and even movie theaters, more people in Massachusetts are learning how to prevent an opioid overdose death by administering …

According to the Recovery Ecosystem Index Mapping Tool, a little more than half of drug-related deaths between 2015 and 2019 in New Hampshire were white people with at least a high school education, ages 15-64. (Adobe Stock)

New Tool Maps Substance-Use Recovery Hotspots

A new tool is locating areas in the U.S. in need of robust recovery systems for people dealing with substance abuse. The Recovery Ecosystem Index …

Texas families can keep up with vaccine records at ImmTrac2, the Texas Immunization Registry. (OmarMedina/Pixabay)

Winter is Coming: Is Your Child's Health Protected?

COVID upended many routines, including Texas parents getting kids in for regularly scheduled childhood vaccines. Data from the Texas Department of …

Family caregiving can be a struggle if the caregiver has to be away from the workforce to do it. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Caregiving an Under-the-Radar Issue in OR Election

With the election a little over a month away, some say caregiving and long-term care are issues too big for candidates in Oregon to ignore. There …

A 2021 study in the journal Science found that fine particulate matter, one of the main pollutants produced by gas-burning vehicles, is responsible for 85,000 to 200,000 excess premature deaths per year in the United States. (Aleksandr Kondratov/Adobestock)

Local Officials Call on Feds to Adopt CA Clean-Car Standards

Local officials concerned about climate change are calling on the Biden Environmental Protection Agency to adopt strict national clean car standards -…

Food insecurity among adults ages 65 and older living alone reached the highest rates in 20 years between 2020 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Millions of Older Adults Experience Food Insecurity

Some 35 million people in Wyoming and across the U.S. struggle to put food on the table, and older adults experiencing food insecurity face numerous …

Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River is located near the Oregon town of Cascade Locks. (RG/Adobe Stock)

After Superfund Listing, Hard Work of Columbia River Site Cleanup Starts

A popular fishing site on the Columbia River for members of the Yakama Nation has been listed as Superfund site by the federal government. Now comes …

Pew Research reports 97% of American adults own a cell phone. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Alleges Cell Phones Responsible for Brain Tumors

Evidentiary hearings are underway in a Washington, D.C., courtroom this week, to decide if a massive lawsuit against the cellphone industry will be …

Researchers say long-term exposure to pesticides can result in a range of chronic health issues, including cancer. (Adobe Stock)

As New Trade Talks Evolve, Pesticide Concerns Enter the Discussion

The U.S. is talking with several nations as part of an emerging framework for trade policy. But in the Midwest, there are concerns about the ripple …

According to the Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey, one in seven Kentucky high school students reported having seriously considered suicide within a 12-month period. (Adobe Stock)

Some KY Schools Offering Mental-Health Services Amid Youth Crisis

A pilot program launched by the Todd County School District and the county's local health department offers free mental-health case-management service…

The fine print for most cell phones advises people to hold wireless devices away from the body; not to press it to their ear or carry it in a pocket. (insta_photos/Adobestock)

Lawsuit Goes to Court Alleging Cell Phones Cause Brain Tumors

Evidentiary hearings are underway in a Washington, D.C., courtroom this week, to decide if a massive lawsuit against the cellphone industry will be …

Data from a national survey of adults found that excessive drinking increased 21% during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Sober October Highlights Health Benefits and Raising Money for Charity

Marylanders who want a new health challenge can participate in Sober October, which -- in addition to the sobriety pledge -- offers the chance to …

According to the Recovery Ecosystem Index Mapping Tool, 61.8% of drug-related deaths between 2015 and 2019 in the state of Virginia were white people with at least a high school education, ages 15 to 64. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

New Tool Maps Substance-Use Recovery Hotspots

As part of National Recovery Month, a new tool identifies different areas in the U.S. in need of a stronger recovery system for people dealing with …

Nearly 640,000 people were considered food insecure in Washington state in 2020, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (timonko/Adobe Stock)

White House Convenes First Hunger Conference in 50+ Years

It's been more than 50 years since the White House held a gathering about the effects of hunger across the nation. In 1969, the White House held its …

Studies show women of color who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest often have a poor prognosis, due in part to longstanding racist policies and poor access to health care. (9norg/Adobe Stock)

Lack of Training, Hesitancy to Perform CPR Put Latino Women at Risk

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation can save lives after a heart attack, but in some communities, too few people know how, or are hesitant to, perform the …

The Suncor Line 1 Rocky Mountain Pipeline Project would replace an existing 10-inch pipeline with a 16-inch pipeline. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Groups Petition Leaders to Halt Suncor Line 1 Pipeline

More than 40 environmental groups are urging federal regulators and Colorado's Congressional delegation to put a pause on a pipeline project under way…

About one in five adults in the United States has experienced some form of mental illness in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (Momius/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month in TN: 'You Are Not Alone'

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to spotlight this issue in Tennessee and across the country. Almost 1,300 …

Around 68% of Kentucky's total population has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Adobe Stock)

COVID Boosters, Seasonal Flu Shots Can Prevent Illness this Winter

State health experts are warning the flu and COVID season could be severe, and are urging Kentuckians to stay on guard. With COVID restrictions …

About 18,000 Montana kids will experience the loss of a family member by the time they're 18. (Africa Studio/Adobe Stock)

MT Hosts Conference on Supporting Grieving Children

A touring conference from the National Alliance for Children's Grief comes to Montana this week. The event will be in Whitefish on Tuesday. The …

Experts in end-of-life care urge families to discuss their wishes with loved ones before serious illness strikes. (Fotos 593/Adobestock)

Report: Inequities Persist in End-of-Life Care for Latinos

Latinos and other underserved communities face persistent inequities in end-of-life care, according to a new report from Compassion & Choices and the …

The Hispanic community in America represents 60 million Latinos - or one in five residents. (magazine.medlineplus.gov)

Report: Latino Families Should Prioritize End-Of-Life Conversations

End-of-life planning, hospice, medical aid in dying - all are difficult decisions, and a new report says Latinos and other underserved communities …

Roughly 50% of small-business owners in the United States offer health insurance, but some worry about being able to keep it if costs continue to rise. (Adobe Stock)

Health-Care Subsidy Extension a Relief for WI Small Businesses

Average Affordable Care Act premiums in Wisconsin would have been 56% higher this year without temporary subsidies from the federal government…

IA Small Businesses Get a Lifeline with ACA Credit Extension

Average Affordable Care Act premiums in Iowa would have been 72% higher this year without temporary subsidies from the federal government, and small-…

Some 46% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, but research shows 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. (Orawan/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month: A Focus on 'Zero Suicides' in Georgia

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to shed light on what continues to be one of the toughest topics to discuss for many …

Trouble sleeping and insomnia are often overlooked symptoms of anxiety disorders. (Adobe Stock)

Treating Anxiety Not Seen as One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Expanded anxiety screenings could have a long-term positive impact on the health of Missourians, according to mental-health advocates. The U.S…

After a positive anxiety screening, an assessment from a mental-health professional can determine if a patient should be diagnosed with a specific anxiety disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Anxiety: Experts Say Don't Suffer in Silence

Expanded anxiety screenings could have a long-term positive impact on the health of Ohioans, according to mental-health experts. The U.S. Preventive …

The World Health Organization links indoor air pollution, including pollutants from burning natural gas, to increased chances of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. (Vladimir Semenov/Adobe Stock)

Groups Plead with Public Utilities Commission to 'Supercharge' Electrification

Nevada needs to move away from natural gas and toward clean energy - that's the view of climate action groups that spoke up on Tuesday at an open foru…

Falls among adults age 65 and older caused more than 34,000 deaths in 2019, making it the leading cause of injury death for this group, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Risk of Falling Increases with Age; Prevention Tools Can Help

One in four Americans age 65 and older takes an unexpected fall each year. During Falls Prevention Awareness Week, experts are encouraging older …

Falls among adults age 65 and older caused more than 34,000 deaths in 2019, making it the leading cause of injury-related death for the age group, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Across MD, Community Workshops Help Older Residents Prevent Falls

One in four Americans age 65 and older take an unexpected tumble each year, and during Falls Prevention Awareness Week, experts are encouraging them …

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PNS Daily Newscast - October 7, 2022

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Health

Walking: A Simple Way to Boost Heart Health

Report: Oil-Field Flaring Emits More Methane than Previously Known

Older Voters: A Formidable Factor in Maine Gubernatorial Race

Better Diversity in Nursing Seen as Improving Access to Care

AZ Seniors List Social Security, Long-Term Care Among Top Midterm Issues

Lower Drug Prices Expected After Biden Medicare Move

Advocates: Missouri Medicaid Expansion Helping Citizens, Saving Jobs

WA Students Call on U.S. to Increase Access to COVID Treatments Globally

Phoenix Clinic Develops Plan to Work Around Arizona's Strict Abortion Law

Feds Find NV Failing Children With Behavioral-Health Disabilities

Health Equity Work Continues Amid Texas Nurse Shortage

Celebrating 30 Years of Puerto Rican “Agri-Culture” in Western MA

Researcher: AZ's Nursing Workforce Should Reflect its Patients

Mental Health Highlighted on Depression Screening Day

What NYers Should Consider When Buying Healthcare Plans

Researcher: Better Diversity in Nursing Improves Access to Care

Caregivers to Candidates: Don't Forget About Us This Election

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

Research Makes Case for Expanding Diversity in Nursing

Narcan Trainers Enlist Public’s Help in Preventing MA Overdose Deaths

New Tool Maps Substance-Use Recovery Hotspots

Winter is Coming: Is Your Child's Health Protected?

Caregiving an Under-the-Radar Issue in OR Election

Local Officials Call on Feds to Adopt CA Clean-Car Standards

Millions of Older Adults Experience Food Insecurity

After Superfund Listing, Hard Work of Columbia River Site Cleanup Starts

Lawsuit Alleges Cell Phones Responsible for Brain Tumors

As New Trade Talks Evolve, Pesticide Concerns Enter the Discussion

Some KY Schools Offering Mental-Health Services Amid Youth Crisis

Lawsuit Goes to Court Alleging Cell Phones Cause Brain Tumors

Sober October Highlights Health Benefits and Raising Money for Charity

New Tool Maps Substance-Use Recovery Hotspots

White House Convenes First Hunger Conference in 50+ Years

Lack of Training, Hesitancy to Perform CPR Put Latino Women at Risk

Colorado Groups Petition Leaders to Halt Suncor Line 1 Pipeline

Suicide Prevention Month in TN: 'You Are Not Alone'

COVID Boosters, Seasonal Flu Shots Can Prevent Illness this Winter

MT Hosts Conference on Supporting Grieving Children

Report: Inequities Persist in End-of-Life Care for Latinos

Report: Latino Families Should Prioritize End-Of-Life Conversations

Health-Care Subsidy Extension a Relief for WI Small Businesses

IA Small Businesses Get a Lifeline with ACA Credit Extension

Suicide Prevention Month: A Focus on 'Zero Suicides' in Georgia

Treating Anxiety Not Seen as One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Anxiety: Experts Say Don't Suffer in Silence

Groups Plead with Public Utilities Commission to 'Supercharge' Electrification

Risk of Falling Increases with Age; Prevention Tools Can Help

Across MD, Community Workshops Help Older Residents Prevent Falls