Health

Why are wetlands so important to preserve?

Monday, 17 June 2013 11:55 EarthTalk®, E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Why are wetlands so important to preserve? -- Patricia Mancuso, Erie, PA

Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, riverbanks, mangroves, floodplains, rice fields—and anywhere else, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that saturation with water is the dominant factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities there. They are widespread in every country and on every continent except Antarctica. If all the world's wetlands were put together, they would take up an area one-third larger than the United States.

Study finds first evidence that PrEP can reduce HIV risk among people who inject drugs

Wednesday, 12 June 2013 14:27

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released the first evidence that daily medication used to treat HIV infection can also reduce the risk of HIV acquisition among people who inject drugs. The new data are published online in the Lancet.

The "All One Ocean" campaign

Monday, 10 June 2013 11:37 EarthTalk®, E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What is the "All One Ocean" campaign? --Bill O'Neill, Los Angeles, CA

All One Ocean is a non-profit campaign launched in 2010 by long-time author, activist and organizer Hallie Austen Iglehart with the goal of reducing the amount of plastic and other trash that ends up in the ocean where it compromises the health of marine wildlife and ecosystems. Iglehart was incensed to learn that a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles die each year from ingesting plastic in the water column—and created All One Ocean to do something about it.

DHS welcomes state’s ranking as healthiest state for seniors

Friday, 07 June 2013 11:09

A report released this week recognizes the direction Minnesota has moved over many years to support older citizens’ access to health care services and long-term services and supports, Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said.

The LADDER - Building the next generation of healthcare providers in North Minneapolis

Tuesday, 04 June 2013 00:00 Dr. Nicole Winbush

I asked Dr. Renee Crichlow to tell me about the Ladder. She is a physician at Broadway Family Medicine and professor at University of Minnesota School of Medicine and one of the founding members of the Ladder. Here is what she had to say.

The Affordable Care Act – How Will it Change Dental Coverage for Kids?

Wednesday, 29 May 2013 13:40 Anna Challet, Special to the NNPA from The Louisiana Weekly via New America Media

Editor's Note: The Affordable Care Act will make pediatric dental care more accessible than ever before, but many children's advocates are concerned about the affordability of coverage and the availability of providers. New America Media spoke with Joe Touschner, a Senior Health Policy Analyst at the Center for Children and Families of the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, about what changes families can expect.

MDH wins national award for efforts to increase vaccinations among uninsured, underinsured adults in Minnesota

Wednesday, 29 May 2013 13:38 Minnesota Department of Health

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has won a national award for its efforts to increase immunization rates among uninsured and underinsured adults in Minnesota.