Phoenix company ElectraTect creating marijuana Breathalyzer
PHOENIX – Phoenix company ElectraTect is creating a marijuana Breathalyzer to help medical marijuana users and law enforcement better gauge impairment levels from THC, the major psychoactive component in marijuana.
Phoenix nonprofit addresses need for children’s respite, hospice care
PHOENIX – One of three pediatric hospice homes in the United States, Ryan House provides respite, palliative and hospice care to children with chronic illnesses. The nonprofit addresses how to meet the needs of these children in a space with few solutions.
New sunscreen choices offer ray of hope for people of color
LOS ANGELES – As temperatures rise in Arizona and California, more sun worshippers are reaching for sunscreen. And finally entrepreneurs have woken up to the obvious: the need to cater to people with different skin tones. What they're doing.
Arizona increase in drunken driving deaths among highest in nation in 2021
WASHINGTON - A surge in drunken driving deaths on Arizona highways from 2020 to 2021 was among the highest in the nation both in terms of percentage increase - 43% - and raw numbers, with the additional 126 drunken driving deaths taking the state's total to 421 in 2021.
Have health needs, will travel: ADHS delivers vaccines, tests to underserved communities
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health Services takes COVID-19 tests and vaccines to low-income and other underserved communities, from migrants to Indigenous residents, across the state. Mobile units and pop-up sites offer temporary help, where needed.
State challenges Biden – again – on COVID-19 vaccine mandate for contractors
WASHINGTON - Legislative leaders said they will appeal a federal court ruling that said President Joe Biden had the authority to require COVID-19 vaccinations for workers on federal contracts in Arizona.
Phoenix again ranks among most polluted; people of color more likely to be exposed and develop health issues, report says
PHOENIX – The Phoenix metro area has been ranked as the fifth-most ozone-polluted city in the United States, according to the most recent State of the Air report from the American Lung Association. The report emphasized people of color are especially affected by air pollution and related health issues.
Compassion meditation: UArizona researchers to study impact on breast cancer survivors, caregivers
PHOENIX – The University of Arizona will use a $1.7 million grant for breast-cancer survivors and their partners to practice “compassion meditation,” studying whether the program can ease their anxiety, depression and sense of isolation.
Arizona Senate bill could expand cochlear implant state Medicaid coverage
PHOENIX – The Arizona Senate has passed SB 1017, which aims to expand coverage of cochlear implants for adults through AHCCCS. Advocates say it would have a positive impact on people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill is now being read in the House.
Arizona providers confident abortions will continue despite court challenges
WASHINGTON - Arizona health care providers are confident they will be able to continue providing safe abortions, even as courts tangle over an order that could halt distribution of a key abortion medication.
Text ‘join’ to get COVID-19, health updates in rural Arizona
PHOENIX – The Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona sent texts about COVID-19 to 3,000 subscribers living in rural areas during the pandemic. Since then, the texts evolved to include other health-care issues for POC and other underserved communities.
Nosotros program helps identify liver disease with free fibroscans
TUCSON – The Nosotros Comprometidos a Su Salud public health program helps the Hispanic community in southern Arizona identify and combat health issues, including through free fibroscans that identify levels of liver disease.
