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.
Anchorage middle school reports suspected mumps case
Romig Middle School staff canceled after-school activities Thursday when they learned of the case. The school is being disinfected, pending test results.
New programs aim to help more mentally ill Alaskans become competent to stand trial
Alaska's only state-run psychiatric hospital plans to launch two new programs for people without the mental capacity to stand trial. The one-year pilot would triple the state’s capacity.
Under a new executive director, Alaska’s LGBTQ+ health clinic is researching what queer Alaskans need
Alaska’s only health clinic centered on the needs of LGBTQ+ people has a new executive director. Identity Alaska in Anchorage serves patients in person and statewide through telehealth.
Alaska beekeepers kill their colonies every fall, but an Anchorage man has another way
An Anchorage beekeeper has learned how to help his honeybee colonies survive to see spring, and he’s teaching others to do the same.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin is high in some subsistence harvests, according to Knik Tribe’s data
The tribe’s scientists looked at shellfish samples that showed levels of the biotoxin almost 50 times higher than the recommended limit.
After Wrangell’s deadly landslide, dogs helped the search and rescue team
After Wrangell’s deadly landslide last month, search and rescue teams worked around the clock for days looking through debris for six missing people. Teams of dogs assisted.
Anchorage therapist suggests how to survive the holidays when feeling sad
For Alaskans who have recently experienced tragedy or loss, the holidays can be especially hard. An Anchorage therapist has advice about how to make them manageable.
Alaska’s Public Guardians are overloaded with cases, but a new court order mandates they must take on more
Alaska's Supreme Court has ordered the Office of Public Advocacy to begin assigning public guardians for patients again.
Alaska organizations teach kids how to avoid online predators
Adult predators are finding new ways to message kids online and manipulate them. So, the FBI and other organizations in Alaska are teaching kids how to stay safe when they’re spending time online.
Girdwood doula helps people plan, prepare for and celebrate death
Julie Raymond-Yakoubian guides people through both spiritual and pragmatic arrangements surrounding end-of-life care and death.
Healthcare professionals consider Alaska’s potential for psychedelic therapies
Most psychedelic therapy is not legal in Alaska, except for ketamine therapy. But a panel of professionals discussed its future.
Abortions in Alaska can only be performed by doctors. Is that about to change?
Only doctors can perform abortions in Alaska, according to a 50-year-old law. Planned Parenthood’s Alaska chapter argues that this limits access to abortion. So, the chapter filed a lawsuit against the state.
Anchorage storms make transportation tricky for all, and worse for people with disabilities
Anchorage residents have faced a series of snow storms this week, and being a pedestrian in the city has been challenging, if not impossible.
Trust land auctions fund mental health care in Alaska
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is selling some of the 1 million acres of federal land it received under the Mental Health Act of 1956.
PrEP prevents HIV transmission and it’s free. Why can’t some Alaskans get it?
Robin Lutz, executive director at the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, or 4-As, said the organization has been talking with people newly diagnosed with HIV. She said Alaskans face many barriers to accessing PrEP.
Why are more Alaskans in the Interior contracting HIV?
Health officials are working to better understand why Fairbanks and the Interior have seen a cluster of new HIV cases over the past two years.
Wait for food stamps continues, but could prompt legislative changes
The state is working through a backlog of thousands of applications for SNAP benefits, after Alaskans waited months for help buying food.
Día de los Muertos celebration offers comfort and community connection
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican and Mexican-diaspora celebration of people who have died and Anchorage is celebrating it for the 19th year.
Birth and death rates fell in Alaska last year; rates of death from alcohol and overdose remain high
The report also shows that deaths from tobacco use and rates of pregnant women using tobacco declined, as did the teen birth rate.
Alaska sees fast increase in early flu cases; experts urge vaccination
Alaska’s chief medical officer, Anne Zink, is urging people to get the flu vaccine this month to protect themselves against an early season.