Health
Report: Alaskans dogged by chronic diseases and many lack healthy lifestyles or regular screenings
Alaskans have high rates of chronic health conditions that can lead to death, and they are failing to follow lifestyles that would keep those chronic conditions at bay, according to a newly released state report. Two-thirds of Alaska adults are overweight or obese, nearly a third have high blood pressure and 27% have high cholesterol, […]
Alaska Department of Health turns down new hospital facility in South Anchorage
The Alaska Department of Health has rejected a new $18 million emergency hospital facility in South Anchorage, saying in an analysis that there isn’t enough demand for it. In a public notice published Friday, the state said it will not issue what is known as a “certificate of need” for the facility. Alaska is one […]
Congenital syphilis rates are soaring, but resources to stem infections are lacking
States are seeing an alarming surge in cases of congenital syphilis, a preventable infection that can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death — or lifelong complications such as blindness or deafness. Congenital syphilis, which occurs when a pregnant mother infected with the sexually transmitted infection syphilis passes it on to her fetus, disproportionately affects Black and […]
She received chemo in two states. Why did It cost so much more in Alaska?
Emily Gebel was trying to figure out why she was having trouble breastfeeding. That’s when she felt a lump. Gebel, a mother of two, went to her primary care doctor in Juneau, Alaska, who referred her for testing, she said. Her 9-month-old was asleep in her arms when she got the results. “I got the […]
Behind the hardhats: High suicide rates plague the construction industry
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call, text or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Alaska resources are available at 988 and Careline. For help with grief and loss, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers advice and resources. This article was originally published by Alabama Reflector, which like the Alaska […]
Proposal would prevent physician assistants from providing appropriate care in rural Alaska
Two years ago, the Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants entered into discussions with the Alaska State Medical Board with the goal of updating Alaska’s regulations of physician assistants. Now, the ASMB is proposing regulations which would render it virtually impossible for PAs to practice in rural areas, and which could deprive many Alaskans of needed […]
Alaska relaxes rules for marijuana ads, allows free samples
Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has signed new regulations that allow the state’s legal marijuana businesses to advertise more widely and to distribute free samples of marijuana at retail stores. The regulations, signed Sept. 8, go into effect Oct. 8, and are part of a broad wave of regulatory changes affecting the state’s marijuana industry. […]
U.S. Department of Labor asks federal judge to force inspections of Fairbanks-area gold mine
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration is asking a U.S. District Court judge for an unusual court order requiring a Fairbanks gold mine to open its gates for inspectors. On Sept. 8, attorneys representing the Department of Labor asked Judge Josh Kindred for speedy consideration of their request. According to court documents, mine operator […]
Alaska regulations drop some COVID-19 reporting requirements, add requirement for RSV reports
Alaska medical providers no longer need to report patients’ COVID-19 cases to the states, but there are some new requirements for reporting other diseases and emerging health concerns, under new regulations that went into effect earlier in the month. COVID-19 slips out of the reporting requirements for two main reasons, said Louisa Castrodale, an epidemiologist […]
Americans sickened by radioactive waste press Congress for action on assistance
WASHINGTON — Victims of nuclear contamination rallied in the nation’s capital on Wednesday in support of bipartisan legislation that would extend compensation for those harmed by radioactive waste. U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, and Ben Ray Luján, a New Mexico Democrat, held a rally and press conference outside the U.S. Capitol as part […]
As Alaska works through post-pandemic Medicaid renewals, only about a third of people stay covered
When Brandy Barnes got the first notice that she might be dropped from Medicaid, she was worried. One of her teenage sons is autistic and needs significant care to lead a full life. “My main concern is that my son is disabled,” she said. “He has therapies, medications, doctor appointments that cannot be dropped. I […]
Hospitals plead with Congress to avert $8 billion in cuts in Medicaid funding
WASHINGTON — Health care representatives from across the United States are urging Congress to halt cuts to funding that helps hospitals care for uninsured or low-income patients who rely on Medicaid. More than 250 hospitals and health systems appealed to House and Senate leadership in a letter Thursday asking the lawmakers to avert or delay […]