Public News Service

Some 36,000 Arkansas Medicare beneficiaries used insulin in 2020. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

AR seniors to benefit from Medicare prescription drug cap

Arkansans who are on Medicare will see big savings next year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act will cap prescription drug costs…

Food deserts are regions where people have limited access to healthful and affordable food due to income, location, or transportation issues. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

AR officials consider new ways to address food deserts

By Daniel Breen and Josie Lenora for Little Rock Public Radio.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Little Rock …

The group submitted more than 101,000 signatures. If they had all been verified it would have been enough to put the measure on the ballot. (Rawf8/Adobe Stock)

AR abortion rights advocates say they are not giving up

Now that the Arkansas Supreme Court has denied a petition to put an abortion rights measure on the November ballot, proponents for women's …

According to the Urban Institute, low-income people with medical debt are likely to forgo needed medical care, have difficulty meeting other basic needs and face an increased risk of bankruptcy. <br />(Andy Dean/Adobe Stock)

Routine medical care out of reach for some low-income AR residents

By Tess Vrbin for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop Rockefe…

Advocates said Arkansans who lost Medicaid coverage are missing vital doctor's visits. (AnnaStills/Adobe Stock)

Medicaid troubles continue for many AR residents

In preparation for the upcoming legislative session, workers at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families are interviewing Arkansans about their …

Doctors advised a well-child visit is an opportunity to understand your child's health needs better.<br />(Evgeniy Kalinovskiy/Adobe Stock)

Doctor visits should be part of back-to-school prep for AR students

Arkansas families have a lot of things on their "to-do" list as they prepare for the start of school. In addition to buying school supplies and new …

Mental health professionals said therapy can play a crucial role in helping ALICE populations cope with mental health issues. (ibreakstock/Adobe Stock)

Financial strains create mental-health issues for AR ALICE population

By LaGanzie Kale for KLEK-FM.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for the KLEK-FM-Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation-Publi…

Organizers says Providence Park, featuring

'Tiny Home' community in AR aims to combat homelessness

By Nathan Treece for Little Rock Public Radio.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Little Rock Public Radio-Win…

With 988 available nationwide, it is up to states to ensure there are crisis services - 24/7 local crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization options - so 988 callers receive the help they need. (DedMityay/Adobe Stock)

Mental health advocates: AR lawmakers can do more to support 988 helpline

Mental health workers are urging lawmakers to draft bipartisan policies to expand access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The service …

The approach aims to make nutritious foods more accessible and affordable, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for mothers and their babies. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

AR health center aims to get more healthy foods to expecting mothers

A southeast Arkansas healthcare system is using grant money to help increase its patients' access to healthy foods. Mainline Health Systems will …

In 2023, Arkansas' Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program increased the capacity to process and serve more specialty crops to students through the school cafeteria. (Cheangchai/Adobe Stock)

Arkansas students learn importance of healthy foods through school gardens

School children in Arkansas are learning how to grow their own fruits and vegetables through the Farm to School and Early Childhood Education program …

The newest data for Arkansas Food Bank's 33-county service area highlights disparities and reveals the need for community action. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Food insecurity continues to rise in Arkansas

The Arkansas Food Bank said it's prepared for an increase in food demand as we go into the summer months. The latest "Map the Meal Gap" report from …

Arkansas is among eight states disenrolling so many children in 2023 that fewer were enrolled at year's end than before the pandemic in early 2020. (Nina Lawrenson/Adobe Stock)

Report: AR among top states for children losing health coverage post-COVID

A new report showed the number of children covered by Medicaid varies widely between states as pandemic-era protections were lifted, with Arkansas …

Among adults in Arkansas, 32.6% report symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, almost identical to the national average. (Halfpoint/AdobeStock)

Expert reveals how neuroscience, practical tools helps build mentally strong kids

As Children's Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off in Arkansas, an expert said parents can help their children have a healthy brain to thrive…

Women ages 35 and older in Arkansas have the highest mortality rate, which was 3.9 times the rate of women younger than 25. (Andrey Popov)

Arkansas group raising awareness during Black Maternal Health Week

Arkansas is taking critical steps to address its high maternal mortality rate, especially among women of color. In the Natural State, Black women …

Women, Black, Hispanic and Latino people are less likely to receive bystander CPR. (Asier/AdobeStock)

Black Arkansans urged to prioritize heart health

During Black History Month, the American Heart Association is emphasizing the significance of heart health education and establishing a heritage of …

Since the most recent avian influenza outbreak began, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates almost 82 million birds have been affected in 47 states. (Anton Dios/Adobe Stock)

Avian flu outbreak highlights need for improved wildlife disease tracking

In the wake of the latest, highly contagious bird flu outbreak in Arkansas and across the country, Congress is considering a bill to improve the …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data tracker in the most recent week this month, more than 32,000 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

Health misinformation vs. science: Can you tell the difference?

In Arkansas and across the country, public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline …

Our Blood Institute provides blood products to more than 244 hospitals across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. (Aidman/AdobeStock)

Arkansans urged to donate blood amid critical shortage

Blood donations are important year-round, and January, which is National Blood Donor Month, presents a unique challenge because of the most recent …

Prior to the start of this 2024 open enrollment period, about 1.5 million more people enrolled in marketplace coverage nationwide from March to Sept. 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.<br />(STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Arkansans still have time to sign up before ACA enrollment deadline

In Arkansas and across the nation, open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act ends on December 15 at midnight. The …

When it comes to physical health, the United Health Foundation says a number of factors drag down Arkansas' ranking, including frequent physical distress and high blood pressure. (Adobe Stock)

Rankings show continued health struggles for AR women, children

Arkansas again ranks near last in the country for the overall health of women and children. But policy experts are hopeful that can change. The …

In the latest annual survey on the website BroadbandNow, Arkansas ranks 49th among states for internet coverage, speed and availability. (Maria/Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Improving telehealth access in rural Arkansas

In rural Arkansas, access to healthcare can be a distant dream - literally - as almost 60 counties in the state do not have enough providers to serve …

In Arkansas, sale and distribution of vapor products, e-liquids or any component thereof are prohibited to be sold to persons younger than age 21, unless the person is an active-duty member of the military. (And.one/AdobeStock)

Report Calls for Ending Disposable Vape Sales in Arkansas

In Arkansas and across the country, disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat, according to a recent report. The U.S. Public …

In an average year, 549 people die by guns in Arkansas. With a rate of 18.1 deaths per 100,000 people. (AndriiKoval/AdobeStock)

Survey: Young Arkansans Want Stricter Gun Laws

In Arkansas and across the country, 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws…

Only about 20% of the water a person needs to survive comes from the foods they eat; they get the rest from the fluids they drink. (Goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Prioritizing Mental, Physical Health in AR Summer Heat

It seems the summer heat wave has made news headlines for weeks, and Arkansas is no exception. When temperatures soar, the heat can affect not only …

In March of this year, Arkansas had enrolled 1,047,062 individuals in Medicaid and CHIP. That was a net increase of 88.03% since the start of the Marketplace and related Medicaid program changes in October 2013. (Momius/Adobe Stock)

AR Sees Medicaid Coverage Loss in Redetermination Process

In Arkansas, thousands of people have lost Medicaid coverage since April, as states recheck everyone's eligibility, a process known as "unwinding." …

A College Futures Foundation report found in higher education, Black, Latino and Asian American college students consistently experience racial microaggressions when their academic abilities are questioned or their presence is ignored. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

AR Addresses Rising Demand for College Mental Health Services

In Arkansas and across the country, student mental health has been the focus of increased attention on campuses. A recent report from the College …

The Kids Count Data Book reports in 2020-21, 15% of children from birth to age 5 in Arkansas lived in families in which someone quit, changed, or refused a job because of problems finding or affording child care. (ShunTerra/Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansas Ranks 43rd in Child Well-Being

A new report found Arkansas consistently ranks toward the lowest 10 states for child well-being. The annual Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

An American Hospital Association report revealed net losses in 2022 for some of the nation's largest nonprofit health systems were well above $1 billion, and in some cases, approached $2 billion. (AntonioDiaz/Adobe Stock)

Report: Hospitals Face Mounting Financial Pressures

The mounting financial pressures hospitals in Arkansas are facing are part of a national trend affecting people's access to care, according to a …

More than 470,000 students are enrolled in K-12 schools in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Education Data Center. (Kawee/AdobeStock)

Group Urges Arkansas Schools Districts To Focus On Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a national education advocacy group wants school districts in Arkansas to continue focusing on and investing …

People with ADHD have characteristic behaviors which are frequent and severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living such as school, work and relationships with others. (ALEX/Adobe Stock)

With ADHD Medicine Shortage, People Seek Other Treatment Options

In Arkansas and across the country there is a shortage of medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which affects more than 1…

Males and overweight people are more likely to have snoring problems, which usually worsen with age, according to the Central Arkansas ENT Clinic. (Baranq/AdobeStock)

Experts Call a Good Night's Sleep Essential to Your Health

Sleep is essential to maintaining good health, but experts say Americans are not getting enough of it. In Arkansas, more than 35% of adults report on …

Community Health Centers would need additional funding in order to extend their network of providers and provide care to more patients, according to a new report by the National Association of Community Health Centers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Closing the Primary-Care Gap for Arkansans

A new report found more than three million Arkansans are among 100 million Americans facing barriers to accessing primary medical care. The National …

The District of Columbia and 35 states have enacted

Telehealth Benefits Rural Arkansans with Internet Service

Telehealth services have increased access to health care for many people living in rural Arkansas, but it requires a good internet connection…

A new study from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families notes continuous coverage protection nearly eliminated churn, protecting children from gaps in health coverage. <br />(Robert Kneschke/AdobeStock)

Arkansas Children's Uninsured Rate Could Rise if Health Emergency Ends

A pandemic-era law to help keep children and families continuously covered is set to expire this spring, and advocates are worried the state's …

In 2021, Arkansas had about 27,900 people working as registered nurses, which is about 76% of the number required (36,900) to provide the national average level of care. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansas Needs More Healthcare Workers

A new report reveals hospitals in Arkansas are having critical staffing challenges for some occupations. The problem is not new, and it is getting …

In 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $4.64 million to health departments and community-based organizations in Arkansas for HIV prevention and care. (Oatawa/Adobe Stock)

AR Program Makes HIV Care, Medication More Accessible

Today is World AIDS Day, observed internationally to remember those lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and raise awareness about the disease. Health …

In 2021, the rate of people without health insurance in Arkansas was 9.2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Joyfotoliakid/Adobe Stock)

Health Centers Clash with 'Big Pharma' Over Drug Savings Program

A case involving "Big Pharma" and Community Health Centers serving low-income and uninsured patients began with opening statements this month…

According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 18,000 people in Arkansas are newly diagnosed every year with diabetes. (Ratmaner/Adobe Stock)

Healthy Lifestyle, Dietary Changes Can Help Prevent Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and one expert believes Arkansans can reverse prediabetes, and prevent the onset of Type Two diabetes…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas ranks first in the nation for its high rate of chronic lower-respiratory diseases, such as emphysema, and third in terms of heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease rates. (Andrii Zastrozhnov/Adobe Stock)

Survey: "Back to Basics" for Living Longer, Healthier in Arkansas

In a new survey, most people say they want to take steps to live healthier and longer, but some are unaware of the lifestyle factors that can make …

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, So chances are you or someone you know has been affected. (Arisha Ray Singh/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month an Opportunity to Address Stigma

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to shed light on a what has been a highly taboo and stigmatized topic. The Centers for …

22% of Arkansans live in poverty, compared with the national average of 17%. (Presha Photography/Adobe Stock)

Report: AR Child Poverty Rate Improves, But Remains High

Arkansas ranks in the bottom ten of states in a new report on child well-being across the nation. The annual KIDS COUNT report from the Annie E…

Arkansas' CHIP program is called ARKids First. There's no charge for children's participation in ARKids-A. For ARKids-B, there are copayments required for some services. (Anatta_Tan Adobe/Stock)

'ARKids First' Coverage Helps Arkansas Children Thrive

A program that ensures that thousands of Arkansas children have health coverage turns 25 this week. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) …

Medicare fraud costs taxpayers an estimated $60 billion each year. (Adobe Stock)

My Health Care Tracker Tool Helps Medicare Recipients Prevent Fraud

A new tool aims to help older adults in Arkansas and beyond who receive Medicare track what happens at their doctor appointments. It also can help …

There are an estimated 18 million kids under age 5 in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Children's Prepares for Kids' Vaccine Questions

The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines were cleared this weekend for use in children under age five by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a…

Research has shown that gender-affirming health care can improve the mental health and overall well-being of gender-diverse children and young people. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Back in Court to Block Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

Oral arguments were held this week on an appeal blocking an Arkansas law from going into effect. The law would prevent young people from getting …

Heat waves are the deadliest type of severe weather events in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Soaring Temperatures in AR Pose Potential for Heat-Related Illnesses

Temperatures across Arkansas this weekend will continue to be in the high 90s, as a heat wave hangs on in the region, and health officials are …

The National Institute on Aging says loved ones of people experiencing depression should encourage them to seek medical treatment and stick with a treatment plan a doctor prescribes. (Adobe Stock)

Older Arkansans Face Mental-Health Challenges During COVID-19

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Arkansas health officials are reminding older adults of resources available, as the social …

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AR: Health