Black people have the highest opioid fatality rate among all other races and ethnicities in Arizona
PHOENIX – African Americans have the highest opioid fatality rate among all other races and ethnicities in Arizona. As recently as 2015, Blacks were less likely to overdose than other races or ethnicities. Now, due to a steep rise in overdose deaths, Black people have the highest overdose fatality rate, followed closely by Native Americans.
Clinics vow to continue providing abortions, but unsure for how much longer
PHOENIX - One day after the Arizona Supreme Court resurrected a law that makes it a felony to perform an abortion, clinics around the state said they will continue offering care even as they scramble to figure out how long they can do so.
Attempt to repeal abortion ban fails as House devolves into raucous shouting
PHOENIX - The Arizona House blocked two efforts to overturn a near-total abortion ban Wednesday, one day after the 19th-century law was reinstated by the state Supreme Court. The procedural moves to block the repeal sparked an outburst by angry Democrats.
Arizona Supreme Court restores near-total ban on abortions in the state
PHOENIX - A divided Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a 19th-century, near-total ban on abortion, saying it overrides a 2022 law that allowed abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Low-income hearing health care expanded to all three Arizona universities
PHOENIX - The Hearing Healthcare Assistance Project provides hearing care for low-income adults who might not able to afford care. Founded in 2021 by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and ASU, the program now includes NAU and UArizona.
Governor’s office partners with RIP Medical Debt to forgive billions in medical debt for some Arizonans
PHOENIX — Katie Hobbs announced that federal American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to pay off medical debt of Arizonans who meet special criteria.
Advocates hit milestone in push to get abortion-rights question on ballot
PHOENIX - Activists said this week that they have collected more than 500,000 signatures to put an abortion-rights initiative on this fall's ballot, giving organizers a 100,000-signature cushion already with another three months before petitions are due.
FDA considers updating pulse oximeter guidelines to make readings on dark skin more accurate
PHOENIX – The FDA is considering changing pulse oximeter clinical testing regulations after a series of events exposed inaccuracies for patients with dark skin
Menthol cigarettes, heavily marketed to African American communities for years, face possible state and federal bans
PHOENIX – Since the 1960s, menthol cigarettes have been heavily marketed to African American and other minority communities, which have suffered lasting health effects. Now a movement to ban menthol tobacco products is mounting.
Former users and experts debate whether kratom, an herbal substance, helps or harms those who take it
PHOENIX – Former kratom users in the Valley describe their experiences using the herbal substance that originated with traditional uses in Southeast Asia. While users started taking it to deal with depression or pain, they described becoming addicted as they took higher doses. A Banner Health toxicologist and the American Kratom Association discuss its potential risks and benefits.
Affordable Care Act celebrates 14th anniversary following jump in enrollment, continuing political discord
PHOENIX – The Affordable Care Act just celebrated its 14th anniversary this month despite continuing differences in opinions between Democrats and Republicans about the landmark health care law.
Tribes, feds spar before Supreme Court over who pays for health care
WASHINGTON - The San Carlos Apache said Monday it is owed $3 million by the federal government for health services, one of two tribes arguing before the Supreme Court for more support, But the government said allowing tribes to claim additional costs would strap the system.
