The national outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has killed nearly 100 million chickens and infected 67 cattle herds across the nation.
Michigan Health Watch
In-depth reporting on the intersection between public policy and important health topics ‒ such as insurance coverage, hospital admissions, opioid abuse, access to care, medical research and the business of health care ‒ that impact nearly every Michigan resident.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
A push to legalize drug test strips, protect 'harm reduction' tactics in MI
Michigan has made ‘harm reduction’ a focus in spending its opioid settlement funds. Two possible law changes could move that effort forward, better protecting needle-access programs and decriminalizing drug test strips.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan taps opioid funds for tiny drug victims — babies in withdrawal
For decades, newborns whose moms who took illicit or prescribed drugs have been whisked away to hospital nurseries or neonatal intensive care units for clinical care. But ‘rooming in’ together and skin-to-skin contact could be better for Mom, Baby and taxpayers.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan farmworker is 2nd known human case of bird flu in nation this year
A Michigan dairy worker, like the Texas dairy worker earlier this year, reported just one symptom: an eye infection.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As Michigan becomes abortion destination, foes and advocates expand services
Michigan’s pregnancy crisis centers, dismissed as ‘fake clinics’ by some, say they are increasing clinic staff and equipment and uniting for a stronger voice. Abortion providers are expanding services, too.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Ransomware update: Ascension can’t fill prescriptions at its Michigan pharmacies
A ransomware attack at Ascension health system has breached medical records, disrupted patient care, and forced the health care behemoth back to paper records in at least some cases.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Drug deaths drop in Michigan as task force weighs how to spend opioid funds
U.S. drug deaths fell last year — ‘heartening’ news, according to the CDC’s medical director. Michigan mirrored that trend. Still, nearly 3,000 people died.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Flint water crisis: Did ‘myth’ of lead harm become self-fulfilling prophecy?
At the height of the water crisis, Flint children had lower lead levels than many others in Michigan. But low expectations, trauma and constant anxiety did more harm than lead. ‘Instead of scaring families, we should be reassuring them.’
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
For children of Flint water crisis, stigma lives on: ‘I feel like a lab rat’
Ten years after the beginning of the Flint water crisis, the city’s youth are scarred as much by low expectations as by the lead-tainted water. ‘People had already decided who we were. They had ideas about IQ and behavior.’
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Blood lead levels continue to fall in Michigan: Look up your ZIP code
In a major public-health success story, lead exposure in Michigan children has plummeted in recent decades, including in Flint.