health

As measured by the CDC, dispensing rate reflects the number of prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons per year. While the United States’ dispensing rate peaked at 81.3 in 2012, the Kenai Peninsula’s rate was 100 or higher every year between 2001 and 2015. Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.

Borough creates grant program to distribute opioid settlement funds

The Kenai Peninsula Borough will offer hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for opioid remediation using funds it expects to receive through a federal… Continue reading

 

Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Alaska reports 1st case of monkeypox

Monkeypox can spread through close, personal and, often, skin-to-skin contact

 

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. Summer months especially prove challenging for critical blood donations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Blood Bank of Alaska says there’s a critical need for blood

Blood Bank of Alaska is currently in urgent need of all blood types

 

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Alaska’s syphilis infection rate increases

State records 49% more cases in 2020

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Syphilis infections are surging in Alaska

A variety of forces are leading to the increased numbers.

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

COVID-19 harms children in seen and unseen ways

There has been an alarming decrease in all routine health care, including routine vaccinations.

People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)

Going viral: Coronavirus means cruise line changes, but it’s not yet in Alaska

Here’s what you need to know about novel coronavirus.

People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)
‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder

It’s familiar territory for David Eastman.

‘Dangerous and outrageous’: Bill introduced in Alaska House would treat abortion the same as murder
Measles could be getting off the boat in Juneau

Measles could be getting off the boat in Juneau

Rash-causing virus is the most prevalent it’s been in 25 years.

Measles could be getting off the boat in Juneau
In this Aug. 17, 2018 photo, family and friends who have lost loved ones to OxyContin and opioid overdoses leave pill bottles in protest outside the headquarters of Purdue Pharma, which is owned by the Sackler family, in Stamford, Connecticut. (Jessica Hill | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Solving the opioid epidemic starts with cracking down on fentanyl

It’s a problem we can solve with smart and proactive policy choices.

In this Aug. 17, 2018 photo, family and friends who have lost loved ones to OxyContin and opioid overdoses leave pill bottles in protest outside the headquarters of Purdue Pharma, which is owned by the Sackler family, in Stamford, Connecticut. (Jessica Hill | Associated Press File)
Flu cases in Alaska are way up

Flu cases in Alaska are way up

Experts say wash your hands and get vaccinated.

Flu cases in Alaska are way up
Alaska’s tobacco report card grade improves

Alaska’s tobacco report card grade improves

It was positive, with one exception.

Alaska’s tobacco report card grade improves

Breastfeeding women of the world unite: Global breastfeeding event to take place Saturday

For a minute Saturday morning, local mothers will stand up to stigma while sharing some quality time with their children — and one another. At… Continue reading

New diabetes prevention program provides help with healthy lifestyle changes through peer support

New diabetes prevention program provides help with healthy lifestyle changes through peer support

A healthier lifestyle may just be a phone call away. A free diabetes prevention program connecting peninsula residents with lifestyle coaches via telephone is slated… Continue reading

New diabetes prevention program provides help with healthy lifestyle changes through peer support

Kenai Peninsula fifth healthiest borough in Alaska

A broad look into the health of counties nationwide placed the Kenai Peninsula into the top fifth of boroughs in Alaska. The County Health Rankings… Continue reading

Alison Gaines is the nurse manager at the Juneau Public Health Center. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mumps confirmed in Juneau for first time in 20 years

For the first time in 20 years, doctors have confirmed the presence of mumps in Juneau. As of Thursday, there has been one confirmed case… Continue reading

Alison Gaines is the nurse manager at the Juneau Public Health Center. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Electronic cigarette equipment lines the shelves at 5150 Vapes on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Smoking ban moving through committees, as divisive as ever

The debate over whether smoking should be banned in Alaska workplaces is as divisive as ever, despite several years of amendments and discussion. Senate Bill… Continue reading

Electronic cigarette equipment lines the shelves at 5150 Vapes on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

College revives Certified Nursing Assistant program

Kenai Peninsula College is once again offering Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes after struggling to meet the state’s Board of Nurses requirements for instructors. The… Continue reading

Student nurse Jana Cooper gives a flu shot through the window of a truck during Central Peninsula Hospital’s annual free drive-through flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday in Soldotna. Normally held in the Central Peninsula Hospital parking lot, this year’s event was down the street at Soldotna’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, due to paving work in the hospital lot. In past years, student nurses have given over 400 shots at the clinic, and this year’s turnout seemed similarly large. Before the event began at 3 p.m, cars were lined up down the block as far as Rockwell Lane. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Vaccination drive-thru

Student nurse Jana Cooper gives a flu shot through the window of a truck during Central Peninsula Hospital’s annual free drive-through flu vaccine clinic on… Continue reading

Student nurse Jana Cooper gives a flu shot through the window of a truck during Central Peninsula Hospital’s annual free drive-through flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday in Soldotna. Normally held in the Central Peninsula Hospital parking lot, this year’s event was down the street at Soldotna’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, due to paving work in the hospital lot. In past years, student nurses have given over 400 shots at the clinic, and this year’s turnout seemed similarly large. Before the event began at 3 p.m, cars were lined up down the block as far as Rockwell Lane. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Students from across the district participate in games during a Sources of Strength training program at Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Games, lessons and discussions are combined by Sources of Strength, a Colorado-based youth suicide prevention project, to harness the power of peer social networks. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Program aims to help students prevent suicide

In the center of the Soldotna Prep School’s library, two students battled it out in a game of rock-paper-scissors while their peers chanted their names… Continue reading

Students from across the district participate in games during a Sources of Strength training program at Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Games, lessons and discussions are combined by Sources of Strength, a Colorado-based youth suicide prevention project, to harness the power of peer social networks. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)