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A Becker's Hospital report indicates about 85% of healthcare facilities around the country are short of allied health professionals. (Chanelle Malambo/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

VUMC partners with local schools to tackle healthcare staffing shortage

By Laura Aka for Working Nation.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

In 2022, Tennessee's uninsured rate was 9.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Annap/Adobe Stock)

'Dual-eligible special needs' coverage may benefit TN seniors

Certain health plans offer benefits for eligible low-income seniors in Tennessee who have special medical needs but not everyone knows they are availa…

A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Medicaid expansion could save TN rural hospitals from closing

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

According to the American Lung Association, more than 63 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy spikes of soot pollution. (BCH Photo/Adobe Stock)<br />

TN groups monitoring soot pollution pleased by new EPA standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized stronger air quality standards for soot pollution and one regional organization said it is a step in…

In a 2021 report by the state, about 31% of patients served by Community Health Centers in Tennessee had no health insurance. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

Making TN healthcare headway is goal of 'Day On the Hill'

Tennessee healthcare advocates and leaders are headed to the State Capitol on Wednesday to voice their concerns over issues that affect patients' acce…

Donors have the opportunity to contribute a full blood donation every 56 days, which is roughly equivalent to eight weeks. (Belish/AdobeStock)

Group urges Tennesseans to donate blood amid critical shortage

Blood donations are important year-round, and January, which is National Blood Donor Month, presents a unique challenge due to the holiday season…

The latest America's Health Rankings report showed some strengths in Tennessee, including a low prevalence of excessive drinking, and low rates of income inequality compared to other states. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Report: Tennessee ranks 44th for health outcomes

A new report highlights what Tennessee could focus on to improve the health of its residents. The latest America's Health Rankings report ranks …

Some Marketplace health-care plans offer lower premiums, as the Inflation Reduction Act has extended the federal subsidies that help pay those premiums through 2025. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Tennesseans still have time to sign up before ACA enrollment deadline

In Tennessee and across the country, the deadline to enroll in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is Friday at midnight. More than 4 …

The latest KFF survey reveals one in six respondents say they can't afford to take time off work to get a COVID-19 vaccine, including more than one-third of Hispanic adults and one-in-five Black adults. (Lakshmiprasad/Adobe Stock)

COVID vaccine resources for older minorities in Tennessee

A new survey found 59% of Black and Hispanic adults reported they have already received the new COVID-19 vaccine or intend to do so. According to …

Hispanic and multiracial high schoolers were most likely to report poor mental health, while Black and Hispanic students were most likely to report symptoms of depression, according to The Sycamore Institute report. (Highwaystarz/Adobe Stock)

Report uncovers trends in TN youth mental health crisis

More young people in Tennessee are experiencing poor mental health and symptoms of depression, and suicide attempts have been trending upward…

Black Americans have a disproportionately higher prevalence of stroke and the highest death rate from stroke compared with any other racial group. (Waseem Ali Khan/AdobeStock)

Tennesseans encouraged to act 'FAST' on World Stroke Day

In Tennessee and across the country, this Sunday is World Stroke Day. One out of four people worldwide will experience a stroke in his or her …

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found flu shots lower the chance of getting the flu by from 40% to 60% among the general population. (RFBSIP/AdobeStock)

Seasonal influenza prevention starts now in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Health is offering free flu vaccines at more than 100 county health departments across the state beginning Nov. 1…

Medical interpreter cohort students after completing first half of their training. The vision of Centro Hispano is to see every Latino and Latina in East Tennessee thriving culturally, educationally and economically. (Courtesy of Centro Hispano de East Tennessee)

Knoxville nonprofit bridges language divide in Latino community

For the growing population of Latinos in Knoxville, having a medical interpreter can make a world of difference. The nonprofit Centro Hispano de …

The last open enrollment period saw a record high number of Tennessee residents signing up for health insurance. More than 340,000 people enrolled in private health plans. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Open enrollment for health insurance begins Nov. 1

The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace begins Nov. 1, and experts urge consumers to do some research …

Tennessee is among 17 states where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says infant mortality rates are

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Black Women Face Greater Risk for Maternal Mortality in Tennessee

In Tennessee, a pregnancy shouldn't be fatal - but Black women are three times more likely to die than white women from pregnancy-related causes…

In Tennessee, almost 801,000 people are facing hunger. Almost 198,000 of them are children, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Alisaaa/Adobe Stock)

Working for Better Access to Doctors, Heathy Foods in Rural TN

September is Hunger Action Month, and Tennessee groups are working to get more heart-healthy foods to people in rural communities as well as greater …

A 2020 study found the COVID-19 pandemic affected Gen Z and their views in key areas such as leadership and living with their parents as well as well-being, and how the pandemic has shaped their beliefs about the future of work, education and much more. (Jacob Lund/AdobeStock)

Groups Provide Vital Resources for Gen Z During Mental-Health Crisis

Mental health has emerged as a pressing concern for young individuals belonging to Generation Z, those born after 1996. A recent study shed light on …

Three in 10 transgender youths aged 13 to 17 live in states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care, according to the Human Relations Campaign. (Adragan/AdobeStock)

Tennessee Ban on Health Care for Transgender Youths Takes Effect

A new law banning gender-affirming health care for transgender youths is now in effect in the Tennessee. The law prohibits medical providers from …

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book reports the median pay for child care workers, who typically must hold a range of credentials, was $28,520 per year or $13.71 an hour in 2022. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

'Kids Count' Data Show Some Improvement for TN Children

The annual Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E Casey Foundation ranked Tennessee 36th among the states for children's well-being. The report found …

Cardiac arrest may be caused by irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias. A common arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, according to the American Heart Association. (Pixelaway/Adobe Stock)

Saving Lives: CPR, AED Awareness Month in Tennessee

In one year alone, 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest. CPR and AED awareness are recognized in June to emphasize the importance of these life-…

In 2022, Save the Children reached nearly 900,000 children in the United States and distributed more than 5 million meals. (AdobeStock)

Summer Break is Broken for Many Rural Tennessee Kids

An advocacy group is expanding summer learning opportunities for families in the Volunteer State. In Tennessee and across the country, isolation and …

The America's Health Rankings 2023 Senior Report shows strengths in Tennessee, including a low prevalence of excessive drinking, a high percentage of older adults with a dedicated health care provider, and low prevalence of severe housing problems. (InputUX/AdobeStock)

Report Ranks Tennessee Among Least Healthy States for Older Adults

May is Older Americans Month, and a new report shows the Volunteer State is among the bottom of states when it comes to caring for its most …

In 2022, Tennessee had close to one million K-12 students enrolled in nearly 1,906 schools in 148 school districts. (WavebreakMediaMicro/AdobeSTock)

TN School Districts Urged to Focus On Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an education advocacy group wants school districts in Tennessee and across the country to focus on critical m…

Adults with ADHD often cope with difficulties at work and in their personal and family lives related to ADHD symptoms. (Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock)

Drug Shortage Leads Some to Alternative Treatment Options

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in Tennessee and across the country there is a shortage of medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperac…

A recent American Hospital Association report reveals price increases for existing drugs continue to outpace inflation, which helped drive a 19.7% increase in drug expenses per patient between 2019 and 2022. (Flamingo-Images/AdobeStock)

Report: Financial Pressures Mount for Hospitals, Putting Patient Access to Care at Risk

A recent report reveals that the mounting financial pressures hospitals in Tennessee and across the country are facing are ultimately affecting access…

The law allows pharmacy providers to appeal their reimbursement from pharmacy benefit managers for drugs and devices, according to the Department of Commerce and Insurance. (Syda Productions/AdobeStock)

Poll: TN Voters Favor Policies that Hold P-B-M's Accountable

In Tennessee and across the country, prescription drug prices are skyrocketing, and a new national poll found most voters want lawmakers to regulate …

The latest drinking water testing (from August 2022) in Nashville by Metro Water Services didn't show any reportable levels of the six types of PFAS that EPA is planning to regulate. (Elena Kharichkina/Adobe Stock)

Officials Take Comment on Tennessee Drinking Water Cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comments on its proposed new drinking water regulations. The agency announced plans to …

According to a new report from the National Association of Community Health Centers, more than 80% of health center patients are either uninsured or publicly insured and covered by Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, or Medicare. (Fizkes/AdobeStock)

Report: Closing the Primary Care Gap for Tennesseans

A new report finds seven million Tennesseans are among 100-million Americans facing barriers to accessing primary care. The report from the National …

A report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families notes Medicaid covers about 83.5 million people, including more than 34.2 million children - a 31% increase since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alena Ozerova/Adobe Stock)

TN Kids' Uninsured Rate Could Rise as Health Emergency Ends

A pandemic-era law to help keep children and families continuously covered with health insurance is set to expire this spring, and advocates are …

Un informe del Centro para la Infancia y la Familia de la Universidad de Georgetown se�ala que Medicaid cubre a unos 83.5 millones de personas, entre ellas m�s de 34.2 millones de ni�os, lo que supone un aumento del 31% desde antes de la pandemia de COVID-19. (Alena Ozerova/Adobe Stock)

Tasa de niños sin seguro de TN podría aumentar si finaliza la emergencia sanitaria

Una ley de la era de la pandemia para ayudar a mantener a los niños y las familias continuamente cubiertos con seguro de salud está a punto …

To reduce glare, consider a matte screen filter for your device. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen and dimming nearby lighting can also help reduce eyestrain, according to The American Academy of Ophthalmology. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Tennesseans to Avoid Eyestrain, Vision Problems

With the increased use of digital devices and computers in daily life, people are exposed to more and more blue light. Staying connected may be …

open enrollment for 2022 coverage, Tennessee saw a record high number of individuals - more than 273,000 - sign up for health insurance. (Annap/Adobe Stock)">

TN Latinos Urged to Get Health Coverage as Deadline Approaches

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act ends Jan. 15. More than 600,000 Tennesseans, including almost one-third of the …

One highlight of Tennessee's overall health ranking in the new report is 33% of people 18 and older have received primary care from a healthcare provider. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Report: Tennessee Ranks 44th for Health Outcomes

A new report highlights what Tennessee could focus on to improve the health of its residents. The America's Health Rankings 2022 report from United …

Over the life of the program, Tennessee has trained more than 2,000 Certified Peer Support Specialists, according to the Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

TN Peer Recovery Specialist Program Reaches Milestone

Tennessee now has over 1,000 people across the state who are actively using their past experience with mental-health and substance-use challenges to h…

According to the Power to Decide survey, about four in 10 people surveyed said they have received information about birth control from social media in the last year. (Tilialucida/Adobe Stock)

Survey: TN Young Adults Concerned about Birth-Control Access

A new survey shows many young people are worried about losing access to birth control. The survey from the nonprofit Power to Decide found that …

Every year, close to 48,000 people in Tennessee are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. (Minerva Studio/Adobe Stock)

Healthy Lifestyle Changes Can Help Prevent Prediabetes, Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month, and health experts believe Tennesseans can reverse prediabetes, and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Dr…

According to the Maternal Mortality Annual Report, Tennessee's pregnancy-related mortality rate in 2020 was 58.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. That's a 51% increase from 2017-2019.(MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee Works to Reduce Pregnancy-Related Deaths

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Health has received a $5 million federal grant to fund …

Medicare supplement policies are often referred to as Medigap coverage, because they cover expenses in the gap basic Medicare does not. (Hafakot/Adobe Stock)<br />

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Time for Seniors in Tennessee

Medicare's annual open enrollment period has started this month and continues through Dec. 7. It is the time close to 1.4 million Tennesseans …

During open enrollment for 2022 coverage, Tennessee saw a record number of individuals getting health insurance. Over 270,000 people signed up, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

TN Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Begins Nov. 1

Thousands of Tennesseeans will be shopping for new health insurance plans for next year when open enrollment begins November 1. The experts say it's …

About one in five adults in the United States has experienced some form of mental illness in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (Momius/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month in TN: 'You Are Not Alone'

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to spotlight this issue in Tennessee and across the country. Almost 1,300 …

In Tennessee, more than 800,000 people are facing hunger, and more than 230,000 of them are children. (Africa Studio/AdobeStock)

Advocates Calling on Congress for Better Investment in Kids

Advocates for children's well-being are in Washington, D.C. today, calling on lawmakers to invest in kids. The Save the Children advocacy summit is …

Earlier year, the FDA temporarily banned all Juul products from the market, but was forced to reverse that decision after the company challenged the agency in court. (Adobe Stock)

TN to Receive $13 Million in Juul Deceptive Marketing Settlement

After an investigation found the e-cigarette maker Juul Labs deliberately targeted young people using a variety of marketing practices, Tennessee is …

Fentanyl and carfentanil, a derivative used to anesthetize elephants, are driving overdose deaths in Tennessee and across the nation, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.(Adobe Stock)

TN Officials Work to Separate 'Fact from Fiction' on Fentanyl

Across the state on Wednesday, events are being held to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day in Tennessee. State data showed in 2020…

In September 2021, around 40% of Tennessee youths reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless nearly every day for the past two weeks, according to new state-level data released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

New Data Indicates TN’s Kids Struggling with Mental Health

An increasing number of Tennessee kids are experiencing chronic anxiety and depression, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 50% of people age 12-35 are exposed to unsafe levels of sound from the use of personal audio devices. (Adobe Stock)

Heavy Use of Earbuds Could Trigger Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Many people are returning to recreational activities they suspended during the pandemic, and hearing experts warn cranking up music using earbuds can …

From a 2020 study in Public Health Reviews:

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Ahead of Aug. 4 TN Primary, Studies Link Good Health to Voting

More than 30,000 people have chosen to vote early for the Tennessee primary election this Thursday, and research finds what happens at the ballot box …

At least 40 states have used a variety of laws to punish certain behaviors during pregnancy over the last five decades, according to the group National Advocates for Pregnant Women. (Adobe Stock)

States Have Long Used Laws to Govern, and Sometimes Jail, Pregnant Women

The Conversation/Tennessee News Service Collaboration. Tennessee's trigger ban on abortion is slated to go into effect next month, and some experts …

More than a dozen states, mainly in the southern United States, are under extreme weather alerts with triple-digit heat indices, according to the National Weather Service.

TN Public Health Experts Urge Precaution in Extreme Heat

Southern states including Tennessee are in the grip of an unrelenting heat wave. According to the National Weather Service, heat indices could reach 1…

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TN: Health