Public News Service

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals child poverty in America increased slightly in 2023. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

Stalled Child Tax Credit leaves Ohio families in limbo

During this week's presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris proposed reviving the Child Tax Credit, which was part of the American Rescue …

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine compares the situation in Springfield to a natural disaster, suggesting the federal government provide assistance to help communities handle large surges in migrant populations. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Tensions are rising in Springfield, Ohio, as controversial claims from Sen. J.D. Vance about migrants in the area have garnered national attention…

An AARP report showed Medicare drug plan enrollees nationwide who reach the new out-of-pocket cap will see average savings of roughly $1,500, or 56%, in 2025 for their prescription drugs. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)

New cap on prescription costs offers relief to Ohio seniors

Ohioans struggling with rising prescription drug prices may find relief in a new law, which caps annual out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D …

Nearly three in five households surveyed are not participating in SNAP. For those that are <br />participating, nearly two-thirds report that their SNAP benefits are exhausted in two weeks or <br />less each month. (mdurson/Adobe Stock)

Food insecurity grows as Ohio food bank demand surges

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks has recently sounded the alarm over worsening conditions in the state's hunger relief network, with food insecurity …

Research indicated between 50% and 70% of coaches are not educators in their school buildings. Although they have community support for athletics, they often miss out on the training and daily interactions that are part of being a teacher. (Anela R/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Coaching beyond the game for student growth in Ohio and elsewhere

The Coach Beyond program, started by Ohio State University's Life Sports, is making waves across Ohio by helping coaches address more than just the …

Ohio public schools have about 100,000 teachers, averaging 16 students per teacher and 220,000 non-teaching staff, averaging seven students per non-teaching position, with nearly all teachers holding a bachelor's degree or higher. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

The quiet preparation: Ohio teachers before the first bell

As Ohio students head back to school, many parents may think the return to the classroom begins when the first bell rings but for educators, the …

Based on input from 162 caseworkers and 85 families, respecting, listening, and being vulnerable were the most important caseworker behaviors in the PACT Behavioral Research Project. (D Lahoud/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Building bridges: How PACT is redefining child welfare through relationships

The Public Children's Services Association of Ohio has launched a groundbreaking new initiative called Practice in Action Together, aimed at …

According to more than 1,000 parents surveyed nationally, the top challenges in forming classroom connections are: Too much time with technology (50%), bullying (30%) and the social effects of the pandemic (22%). (I/Adobe Stock)

Building belonging: Prioritizing mental health in Ohio schools

As Ohio students prepare for the new school year, mental health experts are highlighting the importance of belonging in the classroom. A national …

The 2014 water crisis due to algal blooms had an economic impact of around $65 million. (Elena/Adobe Stock)

Climate change contributes to shift in Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms

By Kathiann Kowalski for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Networ…

The most severe tornado this year occurred on March 14 in Logan County, where an EF-3 tornado resulted in three fatalities. (Nick Fox/Adobe Stock)

Record-breaking tornado number 66 hits Ohio

Ohio is experiencing an unprecedented year for tornadoes, with the latest confirmed touchdown occurring on Wednesday. In 2024, Ohio has seen its 66…

On January 1 and 2, Ohio recorded more 11.3 million betting transactions, the highest in the nation. Cincinnati led the state with 1.9 million transactions. Ohio is expected to see between $8 billion and $12 billion in bets placed in 2023.(ehrlif/Adobe Stock)

Ohio's sports betting boom and its effects

By John Hilber / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. In the first two days …

Ohio House Bill 183 would also restrict students from using overnight accommodations with those of a different gender. (Andre/Adobe Stock)

Controversy continues over Ohio 'Bathroom Bill'

By Eduardo Miranda Strobel / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Concerns of …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults, very young children and people with chronic diseases are at highest risk for heat-related illness. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Heat illness, sunburns top health risks for Ohio families this summer

Prolonged extreme heat is affecting many Ohioans, as health experts urged residents to stay hydrated and stay out of the sun during peak periods…

Rather than seeking help, men are more likely to externalize emotions, which leads to aggressive, impulsive, coercive and/or noncompliant behavior, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. (Adobe Stock)

OH advocates seek to change attitudes about men's mental health

June is Men's Mental Health Month and advocates in Ohio and elsewhere are working to eliminate the shame or judgment guys often face when they struggl…

Chronic absence from school may be driving learning loss. Some 30% of students, about 14.7 million, were chronically absent in 2021-2022, nearly double pre-pandemic rates, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Report: Ohio make has made some progress on child well-being

Math and reading proficiency among Ohio kids has worsened over the past five years, according to new data. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the …

Ohio House Bill 285, the Nurse Workforce and Safe Patient Care Act, was introduced in Sept. 2023. (Rob/Adobe Stock)

Ohio Nurses Association declares 'Code Red' hospital staffing crisis

By Mara O'Malley / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. The Ohio Nurses Association …

Ohio's Area Agency on Aging District 5 helps older adults by providing clients with transportation, helping them get caregivers and encouraging them to get out of the house more often. (Nattakorn/Adobe Stock)

Experts say Ohio’s older adults need mental health support

By Mara O'Malley for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. …

Michigan, Nevada and Washington prohibit most employers from refusing to hire someone based solely upon a positive drug test. (Sherry Young/Adobe Stock)

Workplace policies begin to evolve after Ohio legalizes cannabis use

By Mara O'Malley for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana in November 2023. (Konstiantyn Zapylaie/Adobe Stock)

Ohio gears up for legal marijuana sales for adult use

This week, Ohio approved adult-use marijuana sales as part of a 2023 ballot measure, with sales anticipated to start mid-June. Ohioans age 21 and …

Seg�n el Centro para el Control y la Prevenci�n de Enfermedades, los ni�os necesitan visitas peri�dicas al pediatra y al dentista para seguir su desarrollo y detectar pronto los problemas de salud, que suelen ser m�s f�ciles de tratar. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio ocupa el 5to. lugar del país en número de niños expulsados de Medicaid/CHIP

Más de 120,000 niños de Ohio han sido dados de baja de Medicaid y del Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños o CHIP, y la mayorí…

Children need regular well-child and dental visits to track their development and find health problems early, when they're usually easier to treat, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio among top states for number of kids kicked off Medicaid, CHIP

More than 120,000 Ohio kids have been disenrolled from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP, and most were removed for …

A flooded site at the Austin Master Services toxic-waste storage facility in Martin's Ferry, Ohio. (Jill Hunkler)

Court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility

Environmental groups say more should be done to protect people's health from what they call toxic, radioactive sludge. A court granted a temporary …

Hospitals provided 33% of abortions in 2020, according to data from the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on abortion access in emergency rooms

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments today in a case about whether patients have access to emergency room abortions in states banning …

From 2017 to 2019, Ohio ranked 46th among 50 states for pollution exposure, including exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

Recent data ranks Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S., highlighting concerns about common pollutants, like smog and vehicle …

In 2021, an estimated 38.4 million people in the United States were living with diabetes, a disproportionate share of them Black or Asian, according to Policy Matters Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Insulin price gouging continues despite attempts to rein in the industry

Nearly one million Ohioans have been diagnosed with diabetes, but the cost of insulin continues to be a barrier for people needing the medication…

Toxic stress increases the risks for obesity, diabetes, depression and other illnesses. (Adobe Stock)

Psychiatrist explains links between toxic stress, poor health

The alarming rise in rates of diabetes, obesity, depression, and other chronic health issues has put the spotlight on toxic stress. Lawson Wulsin…

More than 80% of people with dementia in the United States live at home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 60% of home-based patients are unable to routinely eat or prepare food on their own. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Meals on Wheels benefits people with dementia living at home

Meals on Wheels programs could be a powerful tool for addressing the needs of people living with dementia, according to a study from Ohio State …

State and local officials expect millions of people to view the April 8 eclipse, which will cut across the United States in a swath from Mexico and South Texas through the upper Midwest and Canada. (Adobe Stock)

Millions expected to view total solar eclipse across Ohio, North America

Excitement is building for a rare celestial phenomenon that has not occurred in the United States since 2017. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will …

Out-of-school suspensions contribute to Ohio's high chronic absenteeism rates, according to a new report from the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Suspensions, expulsions on rise in Ohio schools, report finds

Ohio's Black students are more likely to face excessively harsh discipline practices such as expulsion and suspension, according to a recently …

According to the American Lung Association, children face special risks from air pollution because their airways are small and still developing, and because they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than do adults. (Adobe Stock)

Nurses voice support for new EPA light/medium vehicle air pollution rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has set new air pollution standards under the federal Clean Air Act for cars and light/medium vehicle models from …

A new survey of parents in predominantly Appalachian Ohio counties find most had positive experiences with a new social work model called Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Peer-mentor centered program helps Ohio families struggling with substance use

An evidenced-based social work model to help parents struggling with substance use stay connected to their children is offering hope to Ohio counties …

Research has linked school-based health centers to reduced absenteeism rates, reduced dropout rates, and increased graduation rates, according to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. (Adobe Stock)

School-based health centers expand care access for Ohio kids

Children's advocates are pushing for the expansion of school-based health care to help improve health and learning outcomes for Ohio kids. Dr…

In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for White women, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio Black maternal mortality rates continue to spike

The number of Black mothers in Ohio who die during or following pregnancy continues to climb and health advocates said they hope to shine a light on t…

According to the National Institutes of Health, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. About 80% of women ages 40 to 60 have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: Heart disease on rise among young women

Nationwide, heart-disease awareness among women has declined, particularly among Black and Hispanic women. This Valentine's Day, health experts are …

Ohio has around 15,000 children currently in foster care, according to state data. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)<br />

New Ohio children’s services model aims to promote family healing

A first-of-its-kind social work model aims to provide struggling Ohio families with personalized attention and resources. Mike Kenney - director of …

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Justice 40 Initiative's policy plan includes increasing job energy resiliency and energy democracy and decreasing environmental exposure for disadvantaged communities. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

USDA's climate action fellows to help Ohio farmers/small businesses access clean energy funds

Ohio will soon get a dedicated person to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners apply for federal grants to help fight pollution and climate …

Around 1.1 million Ohioans have received the updated COVID vaccine that became available in September, according to the Ohio Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans lag on vaccines as COVID, flu, RSV cases rise

Nationwide and in Ohio, cases of COVID, influenza and RSV are on the rise, but health experts say Ohio lags when it comes to the number of residents …

In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, nearly three times higher than the rate for white women, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio clinics work to raise awareness of Black moms’ mental health

Research shows the number of Black women experiencing postpartum depression could be as high as 44%. Ohio clinics are working on ways to better …

By 2030, more than 1 in 5 Americans will be at least 65 years old and by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older globally is expected to double to more than 2 billion. (Cala Serrano/Adobe Stock)

Older adults and climate advocacy

While scientists say extreme climate changes are happening more frequently, a new study aims to link aging adults to its risks and their potential to …

Nationwide, Black adults had higher prevalence of high blood pressure and were less likely to have their blood pressure under control compared with white adults, according to data from United Health Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Ohioans struggling with chronic diseases

The number of Ohioans living with kidney disease has jumped by 60%, and arthritis, diabetes and other chronic conditions are on the rise, according …

According to the Ohio Hospital Association, untreated congenital syphilis can have harmful complications for a pregnancy, including miscarriage, low birth weight or premature birth. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio sees surge in congenital syphilis cases

By India Gardener / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. In Ohio, the rate of …

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Experts: Parents should do homework on smart toys for kids

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion industry, and is expected to double by 2027. This holiday season, experts are warning parents …

More than 30 states have expanded Medicaid coverage for new moms to one year after childbirth, according to the group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

WIC funding cuts could worsen Ohio maternal, infant health

Food banks in Ohio say proposed cuts to the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants, and Children would be devastating for …

Black Americans represent 13% of the U.S. population, but 40% of people with HIV. Latinos represent 18.5% of the population, but 25% of people with HIV, according to HIV.gov. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio marks World AIDS Day

Today marks the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day. LGBTQ+ advocates in Cleveland have organized events that include educational seminars, HIV …

The stress of farming is compounded for racial and other minorities, a new study suggests. (Adobe Stock)<br />

For beginning nontraditional farmers, stress is a constant

Women, LGBTQ, and minority farmers in Ohio face compounding stressors, according to a study from Ohio State University. Researchers surveyed and …

States on April 1 began ending Medicaid coverage for people found ineligible or whose redetermination can't be completed for procedural reasons, a process known as Medicaid unwinding. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio sees coverage losses as Medicaid unwinding continues

More Ohioans are at risk for losing their health coverage through Medicaid because of procedural errors, according to a recent analysis. Federal rule …

Harmful chemicals including lead, particulate matter, pesticides, and phthalates added to plastics, impair brain development in children. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio children are being harmed by toxic chemicals

Children of color and from low-income families in Ohio and across the nation are not only exposed to more dangerous toxic chemicals including lead…

Forensic nurses are trained to provide consultation testimony for civil criminal proceedings, courtroom testimony, and to intersect with the legal system in ways other health care professionals typically do not. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Forensic nurses offer trauma-informed care

Sexual assault survivors in rural Ohio may have to travel hours to get a forensic exam. During National Forensic Nurses Week, Ohio advocates say …

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OH: Health