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Rachel Cassandra
Health and Wellness ReporterRachel Cassandra is the health and wellness reporter and producer. As a reporter, she covers statewide health and mental health news. A few of her areas of focus include addiction and the opioid epidemic, food and health care insecurity, rural health care, mental health care and stories of how communities thrive. She also occasionally produces shows for LineOne: Your Health Connection. She’s worked in Alaska Public Media’s newsroom since May 2023.
Before working for AKPM, Rachel was a reporter in Petersburg for KFSK. She also interned for Sitka’s radio station, KCAW. She worked for many years as a freelance journalist, reporting for a range of publications including KQED, Mindsite News, The Atlantic, Atmos and VICE. She graduated from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
When Rachel is not reporting, she might be running, hiking, crafting, illustrating, reading, playing board games or playing with her two cats — Indigo and Persephone.
You can reach Rachel at rcassandra@alaskapublic.org.
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Older Alaskans struggle to find primary care providers and specialists. And, as the demographic grows, the issue is likely to worsen.
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The state is working with federal partners to seize more drugs in airports and in the postal system.
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Alaska has a low breast cancer screening rate. So, a few businesses offer evening parties with food and drink, where friends all get mammograms.
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It's a similar number to the troubling record the year before.
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The loss means Anchorage area mothers can only access one other birth center with certified nurse midwives.
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The 2024 Arctic Report Card also documents increasing sea traffic and thriving ice seals.
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The National Labor Relations Board will investigate the unfair labor practice charges in the coming months.
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A bulletin released by the Alaska Department of Health shows that rates of obstetric hemorrhage have increased by more than 25% since 2016.
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A forensic training program prepares providers to support patients who’ve experienced violence and to document evidence of violent crimes.
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Marti Guzman is a family service coordinator. She helps families overcome challenges so their kids can stay in school and thrive.