skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, July 11, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Federal judge issues new nationwide block against Trump's order seeking to end birthright citizenship; TX flood Death toll at 121 as search continues for the missing; Hoosier businesses face fallout from tariff shake-up; Sick of moving, MN senior worries about losing federal rental aid; Second mobile unit for helping formerly incarcerated launches in NC.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

NOAA nominee says he supports cutting the agency's budget. Many question why Ukraine's weapons aid was paused. And farmers worry how the budget megabill will impact this year's Farm Bill.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural Americans brace for disproportionate impact of federal funding cuts to mental health, substance use programs, and new federal policies have farmers from Ohio to Minnesota struggling to grow healthier foods and create sustainable food production programs.

Health Screenings Seen as Important Factor for Student Success

play audio
Play

Friday, September 16, 2022   

School students across Wisconsin are still getting settled as the new academic year unfolds. And experts say it's important to get them in for a physical and get their hearing, vision, and teeth checked.

A study from the Urban Institute found almost one in five parents delayed or skipped their children's' preventive visits during the pandemic, so now is the time to catch up.

Dr. Donna O'Shea, national chief medical officer for population health with UnitedHealthcare said some parents don't recognize the importance of regular hearing tests.

"Like vision and dental, early detection of hearing issues is crucial for getting treatment as soon as possible," said O'Shea. "And that's really important because hearing loss can affect a child's ability to develop speech, language and social skills."

O'Shea recommended young people follow the "60-60 rule," which means only using earbuds or headphones for less than 60 minutes at no more than 60% of the player's maximum volume.

The American Optometric Association recommends children get their first comprehensive eye exam before their first birthday, again right before kindergarten, and if no issues are detected, every two years after.

O'Shea reminded parents that the blue-light exposure from screens can affect eye health, and contribute to headaches, dry eyes and neck or shoulder pain.

"Make sure the computer screens are at least 30 inches away, or to make sure that you or your child are taking breaks every 20 minutes from the screens," said O'Shea. "And consider investing in screen protectors or computer monitors that help limit that exposure to blue light."

When it comes to teeth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report says more than half of children ages six to eight have had a cavity in at least one of their baby teeth - and reminds parents that exams are required upon entry into third grade, and again in seventh grade.



Disclosure: United Healthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Close to half of all American whiskey, bourbon and rye is sold internationally, primarily to Canada, Mexico and the European Union. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Hoosier businesses across the state are feeling the ripple effects of rising tariffs and shifting trade policies, especially in farming, …


Social Issues

play sound

Some 15 community and faith-based organizations gathered again this week outside the Geo Group ICE detention facility in Aurora where longtime Denver …

Social Issues

play sound

By Garrett Bergquist for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Serv…


Students at the 2024 Arts Advocacy Day spent time networking and discussing policy issues affecting arts education. (Skye Morse-Hodgson/Snap Yourself)

Social Issues

play sound

More than 400 teen artists will gather this Saturday in Southern California to learn about equity in arts education. The 3rd annual Arts Advocacy Day …

Environment

play sound

New Mexico farmers finding it more difficult to grow historic crops are taking up conservation techniques to meet the challenge. Drought, water …

Places like rural Dutch Harbor, Alaska, rely heavily on diesel powered generators for a majority of their power production. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Despite last-minute concessions in the Trump administration's budget, which removes alternative energy tax incentives, rural Alaska power providers …

Environment

play sound

"Don't go into the water" is a warning Illinoisans may want to heed. A 2024 study released this week found all state-border beaches on Lake Michigan …

Social Issues

play sound

The Trump administration has made it clear it will cut funding from schools continuing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and with record …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021