Health

All Alaska health news.

Interior: a hotel room and bed.

Sleep apnea and Inspire | Line One

Host Dr. Justin Clark and his guests discuss sleep apnea and treatment options on this Line One.

Alaska’s foster care shortage | Talk of Alaska

A new campaign seeks to raise awareness and recruit new foster care families. We learn more on this Talk of Alaska.
a news conference

United Healthcare shooting ‘person of interest’ Luigi Mangione arraigned in Pennsylvania

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Juneau

Southeast Alaska set to lose nearly a fifth of its population by 2050, report says

The state document bases the projection on a mixture of increased outmigration and deaths outnumbering births in the region.
Sitka

Renewed Southeast Alaska wastewater discharge permits require better bacteria controls

The six affected communities have exemptions allowing them to perform only rudimentary "primary" wastewater treatment.
water

Kiana in Northwest Alaska has been without running water for days

With temperatures falling into the minus-30s, local crews are scrambling to thaw the city’s water system. 
A person wearing blue gloves draws liquid from a vial into a syringe

What happens when preventative health goes right | Line One

Earthquake-resistant buildings can protect us in a disaster, just like strong preventative health measures can keep our health systems resilient.
a plant

How a hydroponic garden at Angoon’s high school is cultivating food sovereignty

The facility is a way for the community to have more control over its food, much of which is barged or flown in.
Newtok

Newtok shuts down its critical infrastructure

On Sunday, local tribal leadership decided to shut down the power and water plants in the tiny Bering Sea coastal community.
a care facility

Recently unionized home care workers in Alaska approve first contracts

Home care workers, whose services are needed more as Alaska's population ages, have negotiated for better pay and other benefits.
alcohol pads, tourniquets and cookers

Alaska crests fourth wave of opioid epidemic as more people combine methamphetamine with opioids

The rate of methamphetamine found in tests with fentanyl has increased seven fold in the Pacific region since 2015, which worries experts in the field.
An American flag and LGBTQ+ flag

Health providers for transgender Alaskans worry next Trump administration will jeopardize patient care

On the day after the election, therapist Margie Thomson had four new requests from patients asking for referrals for gender-affirming care — in case they lose access to it.
A girl with glasses and a pink sweater.

Anchorage 8th grader wins first ever National Civics Bee

Emily Brubaker has been civically involved since kindergarten due to a rare medical condition she advocates for.
Donald Trump

Trump’s promise to fix the fentanyl crisis appealed to voters and alarmed experts

Donald Trump has promised a crackdown that could include military strikes in Mexico. Many experts worry his plan will do harm than good.

Co-occurring mental disorders | Line One

We discuss the challenges of diagnosing and treating individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions.
the outside of a multi-story building at night.

Anchorage water utility asks thousands of residents to check pipes for possible lead

About 20,000 customers are being asked to check water intake pipes, in a survey required under federal regulations.
a road

‘Enough is enough’: King Cove officials hail Biden Administration backing for Izembek road

While residents call the road a matter of life and death, environmental advocates say it could threaten vital wildlife habitat.
Street lights with cars going by.

Making Alaska roadways safer | Talk of Alaska

Anchorage has had a lethal stretch of pedestrian deaths in recent months. We discuss what’s being done to lower these tragedies on this Talk of Alaska.
a family

Make-A-Wish sends Shishmaref boy’s family to Disney World

Ten-year-old Owen Ningeulook suffers from aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder that results in low red blood cell counts.
a poster

Sexually transmitted infections top Alaska’s annual disease list, reflecting high rates

Alaska has some of the nation's highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea, according to the state's annual infectious disease report.