Rachel Cassandra, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Rachel Cassandra covers health and wellness for Alaska Public Media. Reach her at rcassandra@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Rachel here.
Percentage of Alaska high schoolers texting while driving jumps to a new high
Last year over 40% of high school drivers reported that they texted or emailed while on the road.
UAA launches Alaska’s first in-state training program for school psychologists
University officials say they hope the master’s degree program will boost the number of school psychologists who understand the needs of Alaska schools.
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Experts offer advice as Alaskans head deeper into respiratory disease season
It’s important to stop the spread of disease but make sure kids can be in school and parents can work.
Alaskans are increasingly abusing multiple drugs, complicating treatment
Combining drugs increases risk of overdose and makes withdrawal and getting medication assisted therapy more complex.
Providence Alaska introduces telenurses, but bedside nurses protest the change
The telenurses collaborate with bedside nurses. But a nurse union at the hospital filed an unfair labor practice charge in response.
ACLU raises concerns as Alaska department of corrections works to keep fentanyl out of jails and prisons
Fentanyl is so concentrated that it poses new trafficking challenges. But new screening tactics raise red flags with the ACLU of Alaska.
Yup’ik elder talks about her childhood with her grandson, and gives advice
Akiak elder Helen Ivan shares stories about learning English and tells young people to follow their dreams and avoid drugs.
Alaska healthcare facilities conserve IV fluids during national shortage
After Hurricane Helene hit a major production facility, hospitals aim to prevent a severe crisis.
Unhoused Alaskans are 8 times more likely than housed people to get serious cold injuries
Recent data from Alaska’s Section of Epidemiology shows serious risks for people living outside.
In Akiak, grade schoolers report on why basketball is a way of life in the village
Fifth and sixth graders Yolanda Ramos, Amos Foss and Brian Hunter reported this story about a basketball tournament.
Overdose deaths jumped in Alaska last year, even as they declined nationally
The state is seeing high rates of overdose and more fentanyl cut with xylazine, a dangerous animal tranquilizer.
Alaska Department of Corrections has a new chief medical officer
Dr. Timothy Ballard will head a complex system of care in the state’s 15 jails, prisons and pre-trial facilities.
Alaska’s vaccination rates for whooping cough are well below CDC recommendations
“I think this is a good reminder that if the vaccination rate drops, these diseases can rear their ugly heads again,” Dr. Janet Shen said.
Whooping cough spike reaches epidemic level in Alaska, public health experts warn
The total number of cases reported has reached 286. Officials say case numbers are rising in Anchorage, but falling statewide.
New supportive housing opens for elders experiencing homelessness in Anchorage
The supportive housing complex is a collaboration between Providence Alaska, Southcentral Foundation and other community partners.
Governor vetoes bill requiring insurance to provide a year of birth control
Supporters of the bill said it would increase access to birth control, especially for rural Alaskans, and reduce reliance on abortions.
Anchorage School District student tests positive for whooping cough
One confirmed case and two suspected cases of the infection were reported to the district this week.
Here’s where money from Alaska’s opioid settlement is going
About $8.5 million will go to 18 organizations in the state helping with prevention and addiction treatment for the state’s deadly opioid crisis.
Arctic residents face high risk from toxic effects of plastics, report finds
The report is based on over 250 peer-reviewed studies and shows the Arctic environment and people are disproportionately impacted by microplastics, plastic chemicals, and contaminated sea life.