Childhood vaccination rates in Michigan are at their lowest since 2011 and remain slightly lower than national rates.
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.
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In Michigan, naloxone has reversed over 6,600 overdoses since 2020
Michigan spent $7 million this year from its slice of opioid settlement funds for naloxone, or Narcan, to reverse overdoses.
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COVID-19 mini-wave back in Michigan, just in time for Thanksgiving
Hospitalizations are up 50 percent in the last month and case counts are rising, especially in metro Detroit and Kent County. Even so, that’s a fraction of the cases, hospitalizations and deaths during worst of pandemic.
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For the holidays: Another batch of COVID tests for Michiganders
Michigan households can order another four free COVID tests, while the state continues to offer free at-home tests and testing sites, too.
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Michigan has just half the child psychiatrists it needs amid health crisis
Child psychiatrists oversee the care and medication of some of the most complex mental health cases. And yet Michigan has only about half the specialists it needs amid a surge in anxiety and depression among young people.
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Embattled Michigan health officer expected to get $4 million — to go away
Adeline Hambley has been fighting to keep her job as Ottawa County health officer. She clashed with conservative county commissioners in a battle emblematic of tensions across the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Shortage of new RSV shots could endanger Michigan babies
A first-ever immunization against RSV for babies was approved with much hope in July; already, there’s not enough to go around, according to the state’s pediatricians’ group. That, and a flagging interest in flu and COVID vaccines, have some doctors worried.
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Michigan unveils spending on $1.5B opioid settlement, amid secrecy fears
Even as the state posted at least some details on a new website Wednesday about where settlement money is going, the chair of the Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission told lawmakers that the panel has struggled to get more detailed information from state health officials.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Experts: Henry Ford, Ascension Michigan venture likely to impact care, costs
Some worry that another health care consolidation means higher costs for care, but hospitals argue that staff wages and inflation in supplies and equipment drive the prices for care.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Battle lines form as Michigan Democrats eye 15 weeks paid family leave
Lawmakers want to mandate employees are paid after births of a child or to care for a sick relative. They say it’s not a payroll tax. Business groups lining up in opposition say that’s exactly what it is.