Assemblymember James C. Ramos, thefirst and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature, on Friday announced his 2024 bill package that deals with issues ranging from public safety to youth homelessness to education to mental health services. Ramos' bill package contains a strong emphasis on inclusion of Native American issues, including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People issue. As I enter my sixth year in the Assembly, I plan to continue the fight to address youth homelessness, mental health issues, retail theft, as well as the continuing crisis and tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.
Blood donations are important year-round, and January, which is National Blood Donor Month, presents a unique challenge because of the most recent winter storm. The foul weather caused a drop in donor turnout, putting the blood supply at risk. Joshua Gwin public relations manager for Our Blood Institute Arkansas, said the nonprofit has five donor centers and provides blood products for patients in more than 40 medical facilities throughout Arkansas. .
Public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates. Surveys show the percentage of Americans who believe vaccines are unsafe has nearly doubled since 2021 as social media users falsely claim approved vaccines cause autism, cancer or infertility. Monica Wang, associate professor of community health at Boston University, said falsehoods spread faster than the truth, with damaging results. .
It is the time of year again where it seems many Arizonans are getting sick. State data show flu and RSV cases are on the rise in the Grand Canyon State, along with other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19. Danielle Sebbens, associate director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Arizona State University, said medical professionals have started to use the term "tripledemic" to describe the severity of this year s flu season, with all three viruses hitting Arizona simultaneously. .
As the General Assembly session begins, AARP Virginia is calling on lawmakers to tackle key reforms. In particular, they re looking to establish a prescription drug affordability board. In recent years, prescription drug prices have risen much higher than the rate of inflation. .