Arizona Humane Society and Soldier’s Best Friend aid military families with pets, service animals

PHOENIX – Arizona Humane Society's Project Active Duty and Soldier’s Best Friend support active-duty military personnel and veterans by providing foster care for pets and service dog training during and after service.

Indoor event with booths, people, and dog, featuring "SOLDIER'S BEST FRIEND" mural on the wall.

Gen Z in Arizona and beyond worries that food choices are driving climate change

WASHINGTON – Gen Zers seek healthier food systems amid concerns about the environmental and health impacts of processed foods. Sustainable practices are a point of pride for Arizona’s Date Creek Ranch among other businesses.

A dry field with sparse alfalfa and a clear blue sky with clouds.

Funding stalled for federal program that’s reducing diabetes among Arizona Native Americans

WASHINGTON – Tribal nations depend on Special Diabetes Program for Indians grants to fuel prevention programs in tribal communities. Congress has still not reauthorized future funding. Type 2 diabetes is especially prevalent in tribal populations.


Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic too costly for Arizona patients on Medicaid, until obesity leads to diabetes

WASHINGTON – Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs have proven to be a powerful — but pricey — way to combat obesity. But a state policy excluding these drugs from Medicaid coverage has put them out of reach for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans.

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has made billions of dollars from its GLP-1s, including pills and injectable drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. (Photo courtesy of Novo Nordisk)

Arizona Department of Education launches STOP-IT Task Force to raise awareness about dangers of fentanyl

PHOENIX – Arizona's STOP-IT Task Force, launched by the Department of Education, aims to combat the growing fentanyl crisis by providing education, prevention resources and support to students, parents and educators across the state.

In Arizona, five people die every day from opioid overdoses, according to data collected by the state Department of Health Services. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)

Bed shortages and inadequate care leave patients with Serious Mental Illness in metro Phoenix at risk

With bed shortages across Arizona for SMI patients following the closure of St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center, other facilities like Phoenix Medical Psychiatric Hospital are left to carry the burden and advocacy groups like Arizona Mad Moms are left fighting for the mental health care their loved ones need.


American Red Cross launches initiative to bring in Latino blood donors tied to Hispanic Heritage Month

PHOENIX – The American Red Cross Southwest Arizona chapter launched its “Los Donates” initiative to bring in more Latino donors during Hispanic Heritage Month.


California panel calls attention to ties between Southwest climate crisis and cancer disparities

LOS ANGELES – A recent California panel highlighted the urgent connection between climate change and cancer disparities affecting marginalized communities in the Southwest. Experts underscored the need for equitable policies to combat these related public health challenges.

Speaker at a lectern with a projection screen displaying conference information at the 17th AACR Conference.

Monitoring reports show prison health care provider NaphCare, Arizona still noncompliant after 2022 case

PHOENIX – A court battle has raged for more than a decade over prison health care and conditions, and only marginal improvements have been made, according to court monitors. There is a stalemate between the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry, health provider NaphCare and Arizona courts.


Navajo and other radiation, uranium mine survivors demand action on stalled RECA compensation program

WASHINGTON – Survivors of radiation exposure from Arizona and New Mexico protested in Washington and demanded a U.S. House vote on a compensation program that expired in June. The Navajo and Laguna Pueblo nations largely made up the group pressuring Speaker Mike Johnson.

Group of people holding signs during a protest about the effects of nuclear testing, with a prominent banner reading "Welcome Navajo Uranium Radiation Victims Committee."

The rise of Guardian Caps: Protecting players, reducing concussions but facing pushback

PHOENIX – Guardian Caps have shown promise in decreasing head injuries but face mixed reactions from players, coaches and experts regarding its effectiveness.

ASU star Cam Skattebo wearing Guardian Cap

Millions in federal aid for homeless students in Arizona schools, unspent after 3 years, about to expire

WASHINGTON – Arizona schools have not used millions of dollars in federal aid for homeless students allocated three years ago during the pandemic. The Arizona Department of Education is “nagging” schools to tap the grants before they expire at the end of the month.

Schoolchildren walking toward a redbrick building in a school courtyard.