Mothers of children who are Black and autistic help other families find their voices
The African American Conference on Disability, which wraps up this week in Arizona, included a session in which two mothers of children who are Black and autistic advised other families of color about getting support and services amid longstanding disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of autism.
Experts spotlight disparities in contraception, family planning as Supreme Court weighs key abortion case
PHOENIX – As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a key case that could scale back or overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion rights advocates are spotlighting disparities in family planning and health care access, noting women of color and those living in poverty are most likely to be affected by any change in law.
Blood providers call for donors amid first national blood crisis
PHOENIX – Amid what the American Red Cross is calling the worst blood shortage in more than a decade, blood providers are urgently calling for donors. Vitalant, an Arizona nonprofit that collects blood, says thousands of blood drives have been canceled over the past 18 months.
Count the Kicks campaign to combat stillbirths expands to Arizona
PHOENIX – Shawn Soumilas lost her second child in a stillbirth 12 years ago. Today, the Prescott mother is part of an effort expanding to Arizona this month to teach expectant mothers about fetal movement and tracking the health of their unborn babies.
Mom honors daughter by getting food, health care to underserved kids
MESA – After Joan Leafman’s daughter died of breast cancer, the Mesa woman started a foundation in her honor to provide food and health care to children in need. Today, Corbin’s Legacy helps operate a clinic in one Mesa elementary school, providing important screenings to underserved kids.
Arizona Humane Society mobile clinic provides free pet care for underserved communities
PHOENIX – The Arizona Humane Society’s Healthy Tails mobile clinic offers free veterinary services, from surgery to vaccinations, deworming treatments, flea and tick prevention and microchipping.
Pima County schools strained by lack of COVID-19 testing as FEMA sites open
TUCSON – FEMA has opened two COVID-19 testing sites in Pima County to ease the shortage of PCR and rapid COVID tests needed to keep schools open.
On second anniversary, COVID-19 still racks up grim milestones in Arizona
WASHINGTON - Two years after Arizona's first confirmed case of COVID-19, the state has racked up close to 1.8 million infections and the virus has killed almost 26,000 - one of the highest death rates in the country - part of what one expert called the pandemic's "really long journey."
American Lung Association gives Arizona a failing grade for lack of regulation on tobacco products targeting teens
PHOENIX – More than 20% of high schoolers in Arizona use tobacco, especially e-cigarettes, the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control report says. Overall, Arizona gets an F for its attempts to regulate the sales of flavored tobacco.
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project projected to serve thousands of people
PHOENIX – The ongoing project aims to bring drinking water to the Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Gallup, New Mexico. Some residents have received water while others are still waiting.
DHS tightens vaccination requirements for travelers at border crossings
WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security began requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination over the weekend for essential as well as nonessential travel across the U.S.-Mexico border.
With end to Roe possible, thousands brave cold at upbeat March for Life
WASHINGTON - Arizonans were among the thousands in Washington for the 49th March for Life, an annual anti-abortion rally that could be closer than ever to its goal of having the Supreme Court overturn a 1973 ruling that recognized a right to an abortion.
