Health Issues / Public News Service

Rocky Casillas Aguirre adds a pop of color to 'Twitch the Flame,' a main character in his comic series which focuses on mental health for kids. (Photo courtesy of Casillas Aguirre)

Friday, December 20, 2024

Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collabo…

A survey from the American Heart Association revealed 79% of respondents neglect their health during the holidays. Many say they find this time of year more stressful than income tax season.<br />(deagreez/Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 20, 2024

MO doctor shares holiday travel tips for a healthy heart

Holiday travel is in full swing and for many, so is the stress. The American Heart Association of Missouri has health tips for anyone with heart …

As of October, SNAP benefit levels and income limits have increased. A household of up to 10 people is now eligible to receive up to $2,196, with a maximum gross monthly income of $10,584. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 20, 2024

Impact of Trump's proposed budget cuts cited for Pennsylvanians

As President-elect Donald Trump takes office, federal safety net programs such as Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP, which support 85 million low-income …

Mental health professionals suggest managing depression with healthy strategies, such as staying active. Consider planning family walks to enjoy fresh air and foster social connection. Choose nutritious foods and drink alcohol responsibly, if at all. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Friday, December 20, 2024

Managing holiday blues: Expert tips for self-care

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and celebration but for many Virginians, it can also be a deep emotional struggle. Grieving …

Among adults over the age of 65, 20% do not drive, according to one study on the transportation needs of seniors. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 20, 2024

Helping seniors through loneliness during the holidays

With Christmas less than a week away, experts are giving advice on how seniors and the community can fight against social isolation. A United Health …

According to the Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter, 11% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, December 19, 2024

IN Alzheimer's caregivers can comfort, support patients during holidays

The excitement of the holiday season is celebrated with family get-togethers. For Alzheimer's patients, large groups can produce fear and confusion…

The work of GreenLatinos Texas, centers around empowering frontline environmental justice and conservation advocates. Members are actively engaging with local communities to understand their campaign goals and identify areas where support is needed. (Photo courtesy of Green Latinos)

Thursday, December 19, 2024

TX group works to give Latinos seat at table in fight against methane

Members of the environmental nonprofit GreenLatinos are involved in a push to get more Latinos across Texas involved in the fight against methane gas…

The Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter 2024 report shows 12% of adults over age 65 have the disease. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

IL Alzheimer's patients can enjoy holiday fun

The excitement of the holiday season is celebrated with family get-togethers. But for Alzheimer's patients, large groups can produce fear and …

Misty Coburn formerly worked as a nurse at Options Behavioral Health Hospital in Indianapolis. (J Watson/Mirror Indy)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Whistleblower exposes dangers at Indiana facility

By Mary Claire Molloy for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public …

The Doula Alliance of Arkansas (DAR) was formed with help from a $250,000 grant from Ingeborg Initiatives, a group seeking to improve maternal health. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Doula Alliance of AR works to improve maternal health

Birth doulas across Arkansas have formed a new organization to improve maternal health care across the state and help pass legislation they hope will …

Graduation rates in behavioral health fields at Maryland's colleges and universities have experienced declines from pre-pandemic levels, according to a report from the Maryland Health Care Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Report: MD must address behavioral health specialist shortages

Maryland is facing a significant shortage of behavioral health professionals and a new report from the Maryland Health Care Commission offered some su…

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduate students and 74% of part-time undergraduates were employed while enrolled, with many working over 20 hours per week to cover living expenses. (jaz_online/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

OH students fight for fair, livable on-campus wages

By Hevin Wilkey / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio students are …

Data show rural hospitals cost more to operate because of the smaller number of patients served relative to the fixed costs of the services. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Help available for some rural hospitals on brink of closing

A new federal program launching next year is designed to help rural hospitals struggling to stay afloat. Eight hospitals in Oregon are among about 36…

More than 700 rural hospitals - roughly 30% of all hospitals across the nation - are at risk of closing because of financial problems, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Pilot program to help rural hospitals stanch financial bleeding

A new federal program launching next year is designed to help hospitals struggling to stay afloat in rural places such as South Dakota. About 360 …

A new study found children who lose family members to overdose often suffer long-term harm to educational attainment, economic stability in adulthood, and mental well-being. (Irena_geo/Adobe Stock)<br />

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

USC study: More than 1.4 million children have lost family to overdose

A new study found more than 1.4 million children in the U.S., including many in California, have lost a family member to overdose, emphasizing the …

Despite strong federal regulations governing child labor, some states, such as Iowa, have weakened protections in order to compensate for what industries say is a labor shortage. (Creative Commons)

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Worker shortage pushes Iowa employers to hire children for dangerous jobs

A conflict between federal child labor regulations and those passed by the Iowa Legislature has increased the number of businesses fined for hiring ch…

A report from the Child Health and Development Institute found 74% of kids were discharged after completing treatment through Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Report: CT mobile crisis services aids child mental health system

A new report found Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services are improving. The Child Health and Development Institute report showed more …

Even with holiday shopping needs and planned celebrations, health experts emphasized taking time for yourself this time of year to avoid unnecessary stress. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Holiday stress warnings are nothing new, but heart data doesn't lie

From hosting family to higher credit card bills and increased alcohol consumption, the holiday season, while fun, is not always friendly to our …

In 2013, New Mexico became the 16th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. (RobertPeak/Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 16, 2024

NM's LGBTQ+ advocates say 'now is not the time to panic'

Inauguration Day is still five weeks away and gay married couples are already watching for signs conservative lawmakers and the courts may attempt to …

Tooth decay affects nearly half of U.S. children, according to research from the National Institutes of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky sees soaring child dental decay rates

Dental decay rates for Kentucky children age 2-5 are far higher than the national average, according to new data from the University of Kentucky's …

Iowa is the nation's top hog producer, with a population of 23.4 million pigs. This means that for every Iowan, there are 7.3 pigs. Hogs are routinely raised in large confinements, which are known to pollute air and groundwater. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 16, 2024

Iowa livestock producers increase antibiotic use

Livestock being raised with antibiotics is on the rise in Iowa, the nation's number one hog producer. Doctors say the trend increases the risk of …

In 2021, there were 72% fewer detention admissions of youths on delinquency charges across the country than in 2005. Still, Wyoming incarcerates youth at a much higher rate than any other state in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

WY has highest rate of juvenile incarceration, rejects federal funding to help

Wyoming has the nation's highest rate of juvenile incarceration, and is one of only two states refusing federal funds to help. In 2021, nearly 270 …

Almost half of LGBTQ+ youths aged 13-17 faced bullying in the past year and those who did were significantly more likely to attempt suicide compared with those who were not bullied, according to a Trevor Project survey. (Andrii Zastrozhnov/Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 16, 2024

TN awaits decision in case on gender-affirming care for trans youth

A Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti, challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, is expected by mid-2025. Since 2021…

More Texans than ever have signed up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act, with more than one in nine residents covered under government-subsidized health plans.<br />(C Davids/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Cuts to ACA, Medicaid, CHIP could affect millions of Texans

More than 3 million Texans could be affected if changes are made to the Affordable Care Act. During the 2024 campaign, President-elect Donald Trump …

The total number of children in foster care has decreased annually since 2017. (ibreakstock/Adobe Stock)

Support available for AR kids aging out of foster care

Nonprofits working with foster care children want them to know services are available to help them navigate life once they are out of the system…

The Maternity Care Coalition connects families seeking doula services with providers from its doula network and offers free childbirth workshops to educate and empower those giving birth and their families. (Maternity Care Coalition)

Advocate: Doulas essential to birth justice in Pennsylvania

Nationwide, Black women face a maternal mortality rate three times higher than white women. To address the disparity, the Maternity Care Coalition …

In an October report from the Minnesota Department of Health covering 2017-2021, it was noted health care spending growth in the state had exceeded 5% in four of the past five years. (Adobe Stock)

In challenging health coverage times, MN union victory seen as hopeful sign

The tragedy surrounding UnitedHealthcare has brought renewed focus on cost barriers within the health care system. A group of Minnesota unions said …

More than 5.3 million people across the United States enrolled in a Marketplace health insurance plan during the first part of open enrollment, from Nov. 1 through Dec. 4, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Adobe Stock)

Health insurance marketplace enrollment deadline is Sunday

Open enrollment for health insurance is underway, and in Wyoming, the number of enrollees so far this year is just below last year's rate. Experts …

Publications before 2020 will become part of the dashboard starting next semester. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona State University tool offers useful medical insight affecting Indigenous communities

Arizona State University has developed a new tool that they hope will help researchers analyze connections between illnesses and health determinants w…

As of October, Florida's Medicaid enrollment stands at 4,307,965, according to the state's Agency for Health Care Administration. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed federal cuts to health programs could impact millions of Floridians

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including millions in Florida…

Through the Clinician-Led Community Response program, Stepping Stones Therapy Center helps residents access mental health resources. (Stepping Stones Therapy Center)

Hoosier care team expands mental health help in Indy

Indianapolis is expanding its innovative Clinician-Led Community Response program, offering Hoosiers a new approach to handling mental health crises…

Out-of-pocket costs increased by $1700 on average for older Coloradans with Medicare Advantage coverage, plans claiming to limit health costs for people living on fixed incomes. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado health care costs rose 139% between 2013-2022

Between 2013 and 2022, health care spending in Colorado surged by 139% to nearly $30 billion, according to a new analysis by the Center for Improving …

In October, the United States allocated $72 million toward avian flu vaccines, aiming to strengthen national preparedness against potential outbreaks. (Adobe Stock)

California expert sounds alarm on avian flu’s threat to humans, livestock

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

The Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program helps 40 million people put food on the table every month. (Adobe Stock)

NY, U.S. could see big effects from Trump’s proposed budget cuts

New York could see major effects from President-elect Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's Department of Government …

A record 93% of marketplace enrollees, or 19.3 million people, receive premium tax credits, according to Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Digiman Studio)

Nevadans encouraged to look at health care options during open enrollment

Nevadans have until Dec. 31 to shop for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period. Katie Charleson, communications …

The orange bag inside the Safe Haven Baby Boxes includes information on trafficking and Safe Haven registry resources. The mothers also have the option to send back identity, ethnicity and medical information for the child if they wish. (Save Haven Baby Boxes)

Expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Mississippi counties underway

Advocates said Mississippi is taking a big step toward infant safety with the expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state. Nationwide, more than …

Nearly half of children in the United States are covered by Medicaid. (michaeljung/Adobe Stock)

Budget cuts may jeopardize health programs for millions in California

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including more than 12 …

Calls to 911 for GLOW users tend to occur in geographic areas where poverty is more concentrated in Longview. (MclittleStock/Adobe Stock)

East TX program connects residents to services, frees up 911

First responders in the east Texas city of Longview are getting help from a recently formed organization. The GLOW program helps connect residents …

Nationwide, more than 9,700 abortions per month were provided via telehealth under shield law protections in the second quarter of 2024, a 5% increase since the first quarter of 2024, according to WeCount. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

Wisconsin law bans telemedicine abortion care, yet new data show an increasing number of Wisconsinites have been getting abortion pills through …

Florida Gulf Coast University student Zoe Horowitz meets the recipient of her stem cells, Kevin Mitchell, for the first time at an women's basketball game. (Sarah Passey)

University student’s stem cell donation becomes lifeline for cancer survivor

At Florida Gulf Coast University, a simple cheek swab led one student to make a life-changing difference. Zoe Horowitz, a senior at the school…

Dementia is the third-largest cause of death for individuals age 70 and older in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Pathways developed to reduce dementia risk in Colorado

Dementia, a disease with profound effects on families, loved ones and caregivers, affects more than 55 million people globally, including 6 million …

So far, the Safe Haven Baby Box hotline has handled more than 9,000 calls, supporting parents across all 50 states, including referring more than 500 women to crisis pregnancy centers, assisting with 10 adoption referrals, and facilitating more than 150 legal Safe Haven surrenders. (Tsado/Adobe)

Tennessee offers new Safe Haven Baby Boxes for parents

Advocates say Tennessee is taking a big step toward infant safety by installing new Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Chattanooga and Atoka. Nationwide…

Obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 or higher, increases risks for serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, while also affecting mental and social well-being. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama task force tackles obesity crisis, explores data and solutions

Alabama leaders are zeroing in on the state's obesity crisis, which now ranks seventh-highest in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease …

New guidance in Washington state is meant to ensure health insurers are complying with federal and state laws on Native Americans' health plans. (doidam10/Adobe Stock)

WA insurance commissioner helps tribal members access heath care

The state of Washington is helping Native Americans access health care after decades of barriers. Health insurers have made it difficult for tribal …

Federal law makes mental health care an essential benefit under most insurance plans. (Adobe Stock)

Same day mental health care now available across Colorado

Some 380,000 Coloradans who need mental health care are not getting it, according to a Colorado Health Institute report. Cost remains the biggest …

West Virginia is a designated Health Professional Shortage Area for dental providers, falling short by 135 dentists statewide, according to the health care advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid expansion critical for ensuring WV dental care access

West Virginia's adult Medicaid dental benefit plays a critical role in helping to reduce oral health disparities, experts said. Expansion changes …

Stem cells are the building blocks for all of the body's organs and tissues. Scientists estimate that a human has between 300 million and 1 billion at birth. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa researchers advance lethal blood disorder treatment with stem cells

A team of scientists at Iowa State University has discovered new ways to use stem cells to treat blood disorders. This advancement in what's known …

In 2020, Pennsylvania reported more than 32,000 abortions, with providers documenting only 239 cases that involved medical complications. (Longfin Media/Adobe Stock) <br />

PA advocates stand firm on reproductive health access

President-elect Donald Trump's second term has some Pennsylvania health care providers and legal experts voicing concern about potential changes to ab…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - December 20, 2024

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Health

Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here

MO doctor shares holiday travel tips for a healthy heart

Impact of Trump's proposed budget cuts cited for Pennsylvanians

Managing holiday blues: Expert tips for self-care

Helping seniors through loneliness during the holidays

IN Alzheimer's caregivers can comfort, support patients during holidays

TX group works to give Latinos seat at table in fight against methane

IL Alzheimer's patients can enjoy holiday fun

Whistleblower exposes dangers at Indiana facility

Doula Alliance of AR works to improve maternal health

Report: MD must address behavioral health specialist shortages

OH students fight for fair, livable on-campus wages

Help available for some rural hospitals on brink of closing

Pilot program to help rural hospitals stanch financial bleeding

USC study: More than 1.4 million children have lost family to overdose

Worker shortage pushes Iowa employers to hire children for dangerous jobs

Report: CT mobile crisis services aids child mental health system

Holiday stress warnings are nothing new, but heart data doesn't lie

NM's LGBTQ+ advocates say 'now is not the time to panic'

Kentucky sees soaring child dental decay rates

Iowa livestock producers increase antibiotic use

WY has highest rate of juvenile incarceration, rejects federal funding to help

TN awaits decision in case on gender-affirming care for trans youth

Cuts to ACA, Medicaid, CHIP could affect millions of Texans

Support available for AR kids aging out of foster care

Advocate: Doulas essential to birth justice in Pennsylvania

In challenging health coverage times, MN union victory seen as hopeful sign

Health insurance marketplace enrollment deadline is Sunday

Arizona State University tool offers useful medical insight affecting Indigenous communities

Proposed federal cuts to health programs could impact millions of Floridians

Hoosier care team expands mental health help in Indy

Colorado health care costs rose 139% between 2013-2022

California expert sounds alarm on avian flu’s threat to humans, livestock

NY, U.S. could see big effects from Trump’s proposed budget cuts

Nevadans encouraged to look at health care options during open enrollment

Expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Mississippi counties underway

Budget cuts may jeopardize health programs for millions in California

East TX program connects residents to services, frees up 911

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

University student’s stem cell donation becomes lifeline for cancer survivor

Pathways developed to reduce dementia risk in Colorado

Tennessee offers new Safe Haven Baby Boxes for parents

Alabama task force tackles obesity crisis, explores data and solutions

WA insurance commissioner helps tribal members access heath care

Same day mental health care now available across Colorado

Medicaid expansion critical for ensuring WV dental care access

Iowa researchers advance lethal blood disorder treatment with stem cells

PA advocates stand firm on reproductive health access