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Alan Bedtka is pictured in a stand of sorghum-sudangrass, which he was paid to plant to boost soil health and reduce his fertilizer use. (Photo courtesy of Alan Bedtka)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Can taller cover crops help clean the water in farm country?

By Brian DeVore for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News…

State meteorologists in Minnesota say several climate change effects have greatly increased the amount of fuel available for wildfires, which can grow rapidly and be difficult to extinguish. (Adobe Stock)

More summer smoke? Experts monitor climate-fueled events and health effects

Wet weather this spring has improved drought conditions in Minnesota and southern Canada. However, experts remain on alert for increased wildfire …

A team of experts is planning for a potential spillover of chronic wasting disease from deer to humans. They're focusing on public health surveillance, lab capacity, prion disease diagnostics, surveillance of livestock and wildlife, and education and outreach. (Adobe Stock)

Possibility of wildlife-to-human crossover heightens CWD worries in MN

By Jim Robbins for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service …

Leaders with the Minnesota Dental Association said there is a misconception only children can get cavities. It is another reason it's important to establish healthy habits in childhood, to avoid problems with teeth and gums as an adult. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Good oral health starts at a young age

February is Children's Dental Health Month, and Minnesota parents are encouraged to establish good oral health habits early on, so kids can avoid …

Uninsured people are more likely to support public health insurance programs, but are less likely to vote than people with health insurance, according to the American College of Physicians. Studies show this trend has contributed to a lack of Medicaid expansion in states that could benefit from it. (Adobe Stock)

Medical community: Voting plays role in boosting health care access

Voting is not only good for democracy, it is also good for your health, according to one of the nation's largest medical associations. The American …

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure. In Minnesota, outreach work is building on community college campuses to ensure students get a handle on concerning numbers before they advance into adulthood. (Adobe Stock)

Reading, writing and blood pressure screening? MN campuses add outreach

Managing course schedules and studying for exams are priorities for college students. Now, a Minnesota campus wants them to think about their health …

Minnesota lawmakers, leading a task force on Emergency Medical Services shortages, say they have received some initial reports of 90-minute response times in certain rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

MN takes deep dive into solving ambulance shortages

Efforts to close ambulance service gaps in Minnesota are taking shape. A special legislative task force is gathering findings about the severity of …

If your flight is delayed this holiday travel season, experts recommended people with chronic health conditions pack or seek out airport vendors selling healthy snacks. They said it can help reduce the risk of a health problem during your trip. (Adobe Stock)

Making holiday travel manageable for those with chronic health issues

Holiday stress is a concern for most people, but when you mix in travel plans and chronic health issues, those worries might be elevated. A …

According to the most recent Minnesota Student Survey, rates of online gambling increased from 2.4% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the online gaming and gambling risk for MN youth

Minnesota announced this week it has joined a multistate lawsuit against Facebook's parent company Meta, over claims of addictive social media …

New research being presented within the American College of Surgeons showed not only did pediatric trauma cases move higher during the pandemic, but disadvantaged patients also had significantly worse trauma outcomes than less vulnerable patients. (Adobe Stock)

Study links pandemic with uptick in pediatric trauma cases

Medical researchers are out with new findings, which underscore how some communities saw more devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new …

Federal health officials say dementia affects nearly 7 million Americans. That number is projected to double by 2060. (Adobe Stock)

Closing care gaps, finding wellness tools for those with dementia

This fall, a key federal agency is taking applications from providers who want to join a nationwide model to improve Alzheimer's care. Minnesota …

Health coverage aid groups and providers warn if you wait until the last minute and rush your enrollment for an insurance plan, you could end up in the wrong program or with benefits that do not suit your needs. (Adobe Stock)

Health Coverage 101: Early research, expert guidance keep pitfalls at bay

When it comes to open enrollment and navigating health insurance options, experts say starting your research sooner rather than later is the best …

In 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 students felt persistently sad or hopeless. Education observers said it has prompted more demand for mental health services in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Assessing Need for School Counselors Amid SRO Debate in MN

Minnesota lawmakers could soon be called into special session in response to a controversy over school resource officers. The situation has prompted …

Health experts say if a student in the classroom is the only one not frequently raising their hand to answer a question, it might signal a deeper issue, such as hearing loss. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Unaddressed Hearing Woes Could Make School Life Miserable

Parents in Minnesota have been feverishly helping their kids get ready for the new school year. A health expert says if hearing has been an issue for …

The CDC says there are five action steps someone can take in helping a friend or loved one who is having suicidal thoughts. In addition to openly talking about the matter and connecting them with help, a key step is following up after they have been seen by a provider. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Sees Troubling Reversal in Suicide Numbers

New provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide last year. The record …

As of Aug. 1, Minnesota has lifted certain restrictions on marijuana use for adults. For example, people age 21 and older are now allowed to possess up to two ounces of cannabis flower, and up to eight grams of cannabis concentrates. (Adobe Stock)

Breaking Down Marijuana Legalization in MN

Recreational marijuana use for adults becomes legal today in Minnesota. A professor who has been guiding students on these laws says there are many …

In its most recent year of data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 4,000 American children were killed by guns. (Adobe Stock)

Giving MN Kids a Voice on Addressing Gun Violence

Minnesota children are in summer vacation mode, but some are taking time to call attention to how they and their peers have been affected by gun …

During periods when wildfires are prevalent, the public is urged to check local air quality reports or monitor the news media in case unhealthy smoke drifts into their region. (Adobe Stock)

With Climate Change, Smoky Air Could Become Routine Threat

Summer in Minnesota has come with an unwelcome visitor: periods of thick, smoky air brought on by Canadian wildfires. It has propelled conversations …

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation show Minnesota has an overall high ranking for child well-being. But advocates warn that lack of access to early child education could derail outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Shines in Child Well-Being Report, But Pandemic Shows its Impact

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Minnesota fared better in the …

Beyond wellness checks and important screenings, health experts recommend women take personal time to reflect or relax to keep the stress from building up. (Adobe Stock)

Women's Health Month: Adding Personal Wellness to Your To-Do List

As Women's Health Month continues, experts in Minnesota and elsewhere are reminding women to prioritize their well-being. The Centers for Disease …

Studies have shown that while Minnesota has an overall healthy population, there are glaring health disparities. That has prompted efforts to help racial and ethnic groups have equal access to necessities, in hopes of boosting health outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Steps Outside Doctor's Office to Improve Health Outcomes

Research keeps emerging about social determinants of health, including a new study linking these factors to suicide risks. In Minnesota, nonprofits …

Electric vehicles, which can carry a battery pack with up to 50,000 volts of electricity, can be a danger, both to passengers and first responders, in accidents. (Adobe Stock)

EV Accident Response Training Emerges for First Responders

The auto industry and public agencies are looking ahead to a bigger transition to electric vehicles, and it's not just adding more charging stations…

According to state data, twice as many children in Minnesota died from gunshots than from cancer in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

MN Pediatricians, Coalition Demand Action on Gun-Violence Prevention

Recent mass shootings in Louisville and Nashville add to the list of tragedies that gun-safety advocates say should compel preventive action…

Federal officials say over-the-counter availability of Naloxone could happen later this summer. (Adobe Stock)

Feds OK Over-the-Counter Sales of Overdose-Reversing Drug

States such as Minnesota continue to grapple with recent spikes in fatal overdoses tied to opioids. Now, a federal agency has taken what aid groups …

Smoking prevention groups said because there are thousands of flavored tobacco products on the market, teens are gravitating toward them and picking up health risks along the way. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Flavored Tobacco Ban for MN Back on Table

Youth advocates continue to sound the alarm over the impact flavored tobacco products have on teenagers, and hope Minnesota lawmakers take another …

In 2021, the U.S. maternal mortality rate was 33%. That compares to 24% in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Sees Major Spike in Pregnancy-Linked Deaths

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show another increase in the nation's maternal mortality rate, and a Minnesota expert …

School social workers, who are trained mental health professionals, say working with younger students often allows more access to families as they try to help develop a more nurturing environment. (Adobe Stock)

MN Applies 'Trauma Layer' to Early-Childhood Intervention Work

This week is National School Social Work Week, and in Minnesota, there are efforts to enhance support for students and families in early-childhood …

Clinics providing abortions in Minnesota have reported a surge in patients since neighboring states were given the legal path to enact bans. It has fueled broader concerns about access to the procedure, as well as reproductive care. (Adobe Stock)

New Law Could Add Clarity to Reproductive Care in Rural MN

Reproductive rights advocates are cheering Minnesota's new law centering around abortion access. Supporters predict it could help in other ways for …

Those behind a new report calling for a more robust behavioral-health workforce say like other professions, the pandemic has placed a lot of strain on provider networks around the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Mental-Health Workforce Has Capable Help Waiting in Wings

Like many other states, Minnesota has its share of provider gaps when it comes to mental-health care, and a new report cited steps Congress and other …

The mortality rate among Black infants in Minnesota is nearly twice the rate for white infants. (Adobe Stock)

Minnesota Expands Postnatal Health Coverage

Minnesota lawmakers are back at work for a new legislative session, and changes approved last year are now being implemented, including efforts to …

Roughly 70% of cardiac arrests that don't happen in the hospital occur in homes, meaning a friend or family member is mostly likely to be the person who needs to take action. Health experts say that is why it's important to get CPR training. (Adobe Stock)

NFL Case Prompts Reminders about CPR Training

Lifesaving measures are getting a lot of attention this week after an NFL player went into cardiac arrest during a game, and Minnesotans are being …

Community health workers offer many services, including education on topics related to chronic disease prevention, physical activity and nutrition. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Workers Make Inroads in MN

It's been three years since COVID-19 cases first surfaced. While doctors and nurses have treated those patients, community health workers continued …

Minnesota nurses have been working without a contract for several months. In September, 15,000 walked off the job in what was believed to be the largest private-sector nurses' strike in U.S. history. (Adobe Stock)

Working Conditions Hang Over Another Possible MN Nurses Strike

Barring an agreement, 15,000 Minnesota nurses will go on strike next week. It would be the second walkout in recent months in a labor dispute that …

State health officials say lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in both men and women in Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Putting Spotlight on Lung Cancer and How to Prevent It

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, bringing the spotlight to the country's deadliest form of cancer. There will be an estimated 130,000 lung …

Along with Illinois, Minnesota is poised to be one of the last Midwestern states to still allow abortions following the recent Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Adobe Stock)

MN Election Brings Clarity to Future of Abortion Policy

Minnesota is preparing for a state government described as a "pro-choice" trifecta. Those supporting abortion access say having Democrats in control …

Despite having one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, Minnesota officials say racial disparities in health coverage have worsened in the state. (Adobe Photo)<br /> <br /><br />

Minnesotans Urged to Do Careful Research Ahead of ACA Enrollment

At 4%, Minnesota has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the U.S., but those still looking for a health plan, or who want to change their policy…

A new report found in the first year of the pandemic, 44% of continuously enrolled Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries had a telehealth visit. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Don't Stop Now in Providing Expanded Telehealth

In Minnesota and nationally, the medical community is highlighting research measuring the effect of expanded telehealth during the pandemic, and the …

In Minnesota, an estimated 64-thousand people care for older parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

Caregivers to Candidates: Don't Forget About Us This Election

Issues such as crime and safety are getting a lot of attention on the campaign trail in Minnesota, but those who have taken on the role of family …

Researchers say long-term exposure to pesticides can result in a range of chronic health issues, including cancer. (Adobe Stock)

As New Trade Talks Evolve, Pesticide Concerns Enter the Discussion

The U.S. is talking with several nations as part of an emerging framework for trade policy. But in the Midwest, there are concerns about the ripple …

Minnesota recorded 570 gun-related deaths last year, and a majority of them were listed as suicides. That's promoted calls for increased education about the safe storage of firearms. (Adobe Stock)

MN Report Amplifies Concerns About Guns, Suicide Link

For the second year in a row, suicides represent nearly 70% of all gun deaths in Minnesota. Those working to stop gun violence hope the new data …

Earlier this year, nearly 1,300 Minnesotans participated in a new initiative that provides free schooling for people who want to become certified nursing assistants. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Shortages, MN Seeks to Train More Future Nurses

This fall, additional free classes will be offered in Minnesota for people thinking about a career as a certified nursing assistant. It follows an …

While there are continued disparities, an annual report says Minnesota has seen progress in elevating kids out of poverty, with 12% of children falling into that category. (Adobe Stock)

Disparities, Mental Health Cloud MN Child Well-Being Summary

Minnesota once again gets a high ranking among states for child well-being, but an annual report says the state's disparities remain a challenge…

More than a billion young people are at risk of developing hearing loss, according to UnitedHealthcare. (Adobe Stock)

When Escaping with Music or Podcasts, Be Mindful of Your Ears

Distraction has been a coping mechanism during the pandemic, but one method can have a lasting impact on health: cranking up the volume on your …

State health officials say the number of suicide deaths and the suicide rate in Minnesota have increased consistently for 20 years. (Adobe Stock)

MN Embraces 988 Line, But Mental Health Care Concerns Linger

Mental-health advocates hope the revamped National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and its new simplified number of 988, allows more people in crisis to …

As neighboring states such as South and North Dakota implement abortion bans, Minnesota is building capacity to provide care for patients traveling from those areas. (Adobe Stock)

Certain Abortion Restrictions Lifted in MN

Minnesota's status as a "safe-haven" state was enhanced Monday after a court ruling lifted several abortion restrictions. The procedure remained …

A new report says Minnesota has a low percentage of older adults with a dedicated health care provider. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MN Ranks High for Senior Well-Being, But Concerns Emerge

Minnesota is among the top five states in a new report measuring a range of well-being factors for older populations, but some concerning trends …

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it has seen almost unprecedented pressure on the state's waterways and expects many boats on lakes again this summer. That's prompted the agency to remind watercraft operators to take safety very seriously. (Adobe Stock)

After Deadly Year, MN Officials Stress Boat Safety in 2022

Water recreation season is officially under way in Minnesota, and the Department of Natural Resources hopes to see less tragedy on lakes this year…

In a recent survey, 69% of Minnesota nursing homes and 29% of assisted living locations placed limits on new admissions because of staffing shortages. (Adobe Stock)

MN LTC Workers: Hero Checks Help, But More Support Needed

Minnesota officials announced this week that frontline workers can likely start applying for hero checks sometime in June. As those plans take shape…

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