Tribal health insurance coverage rose, but still trailed U.S. average
WASHINGTON - The number of people who showed up at at Indian Health Service facilities with health insurance rose from 64% of patients in 2013 to 78% in 2018, according to a GAO report that said growth was highest in states, like Arizona, that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare.
‘Asthma Alley’: Long Beach ranks worst in U.S. for air quality
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Out of the 100 largest cities in the country, Long Beach, California, ranked last in air quality.
West Nile virus at record high, leads to 16 deaths in Arizona
PHOENIX – The West Nile virus is at a record high in Arizona, with 156 cases so far this year, according to AZDHS. State health reports said that, by late September, 16 people have died.
Native American communities, hard hit by the opioid crisis, seek innovative solutions
Statistics show the opioid crisis is a growing problem among Native Americans, prompting organizations to look for solutions.
Census says 55,000 Arizonans lost health insurance coverage last year
WASHINGTON - The number of Arizonans without health insurance rose by about 55,000 people last year, according to the Census Bureau, as a relatively strong economy was offset by hefty cost increases. The total number of uninsured Arizonans stood at 750,000, or 10.6% of Arizona's population.
Children with a parent behind bars face deeper struggles with mental health
PHOENIX – A new study finds that children with an incarcerated parent are more prone to mental health struggles as kids and adults.
Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em: Flavored vape ban alarms Arizona retailers
WASHINGTON - Arizona vape-store owners were alarmed by the Trump administration's announcement Wednesday that it plans to begin enforcing rules that would drive flavored e-cigarettes out of the market, an industry official said.
House members again push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill, despite long odds
WASHINGTON - Despite repeated failures, Republican leaders rallied Tuesday in support of their latest version of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, called "the most important bill in Congress."
Arizona to get $20 million of $1.8 billion fed fund to fight opioids
WASHINGTON - Arizona will get more than $20 million in State Opioid Response grant funds from the federal government, part of $1.8 billion in grants the Trump administration said it was releasing to states Wednesday.
The mental health struggle of storm survivors: ‘It follows them forever’
MOORE, Okla. – Families, community members, psychologists and school officials say more must be done to help survivors of natural disasters recover emotionally and mentally.
Heat-relief shelters are helpful, but their hours of operation limit effectiveness
PHOENIX – There are scores of locations in metro Phoenix where homeless and low-income people can get relief from extreme heat. But most operate during daylight hours only, leaving the vulnerable to fend for themselves overnight.
Experts: $20 million for school suicide prevention welcome, more needed
WASHINGTON - Education and government officials called a $20 million grant for suicide prevention programs in Arizona schools an important first step to deal with a growing problem, even as they said much more needs to be done.
