Drop in vaccination rates puts Arizona at risk of outbreak, AZDHS warns
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health Services issued a report on Friday warning that higher exemptions from vaccines are putting the state at risk this year for an outbreak of preventable diseases like measles and mumps.
Twins peek: Scott, Mark Kelly help NASA study effects of long-term space travel
WASHINGTON – Scott and Mark Kelly were identical twins when Scott went into space, but would they be identical when he came back to Earth 340 days later? NASA says yes – eventually. Long space travel does affect the body, but most changes are reversed within a few months, a study of the twins showed.
Planned Parenthood says Arizona abortion restrictions unconstitutional
PHOENIX – Planned Parenthood Arizona filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday challenging the legality of a number of Arizona abortion restrictions.
Virulent Newcastle disease found in Arizona chicken flock for first time
PHOENIX – Virulent Newcastle disease has been found in an Arizona chicken flock for the first time since the outbreak began last year in California. It’s been found in Arizona near Flagstaff in a backyard flock of eight chickens.
Phoenix officials pleased with cancer screening program for first-responders
PHOENIX – A cancer screening program for Valley police and firefighters has detected several cases of cancer, but all were caught early enough to successfully treat.
A long road: Opioid-addicted rural residents travel hundreds of miles to reach methadone clinics
MORENCI – Most of Arizona’s 12 methadone clinics are in the Phoenix area, leaving rural residents recovering from opioid use to travel miles for such treatment.
Training, change in tactics can reduce dangers to police officers handling drugs
PHOENIX – Newer and more powerful drugs like fentanyl and concerns for officer safety have complicated once routine police work, such as field testing suspected drugs. An Arizona toxicologist and some law-enforcement agencies said training makes a difference. Vertical: Government/health
FDA approves first drug to fight postpartum depression, but its costs are high
PHOENIX – Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 new mothers. Zulresso, an expensive new FDA-approved drug, may help combat this.
Arizona cattle rancher uses science to beef up industry
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS – For 30 years, cattle rancher Chuck Backus used traditional methods to raise his herd in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains. Then, the former scientist turned to gene selection, artificial insemination and humane treatment to breed tastier beef for the multi-billion cattle industry.
As e-cigarette use climbs, schools address the problem with vape detectors and information
PHOENIX – As vaping grows, raising health and addiction concerns, Arizona schools are installing vape detectors in bathrooms and bringing in addiction experts to educate students. State lawmakers also are trying to regulate the growing industry.
Arizona lawmakers hope to close insurance-coverage gap in telemedicine
PHOENIX - Private insurers cover telemedicine in 11 specialties, such as trauma, mental health and cardiology, and even that is limited to rural areas. A Senate bill would expand coverage.
Border communities refine tactics to deal with onslaught of fentanyl overdoses
NOGALES – Law enforcement in border communities are taking a proactive stance against fentanyl overdose deaths through community engagement and naloxone training.
