Colleen DeGuzman

Colleen DeGuzman was a Peggy Girshman Fellow at 麻豆女优 Health News until March 2024.

鈥楩ourth Wave鈥 of Opioid Epidemic Crashes Ashore, Propelled by Fentanyl and Meth

麻豆女优 Health News Original

A report based on millions of urine drug tests found the United States is facing a rise in the use of multiple drugs at once, which not only is often more deadly but complicates treatment efforts.

In Fight Over Medicare Payments, the Hospital Lobby Shows Its Strength

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Medicare pays hospitals about double what it pays other providers for the same services. The hospital lobby is fighting hard to make sure a switch to “site-neutral payments鈥 doesn’t become law.

988-Hotline Counselors Air Concerns: More Training Needed to Juggle a Mix of Calls

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Dozens of crisis counselors responded to a survey about their work experiences, painting a picture of uneven training, uncertainty about how long to stay on the line, and different policies on whether to inform a caller when police are on their way.

Many People of Color Worry Good Health Care Is Tied to Their Appearance

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Many people from racial and ethnic minority groups brace themselves for insults and judgments before medical appointments, according to a new survey of patients that reaffirms the prevalence of racial discrimination in the U.S. health system.

Biden Pick to Lead NIH Finally Has Her Day, but Still Gets Caught Up in Drug Price Debate

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Monica Bertagnolli, the president鈥檚 choice to head the National Institutes of Health, appeared before a Senate committee this week. Her confirmation has been held up by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has demanded President Joe Biden work more aggressively to lower prescription drug prices.

A Third of Schools Don鈥檛 Have a Nurse. Here鈥檚 Why That鈥檚 a Problem.

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School nurses treat children daily for a wide range of illnesses and injuries, and sometimes serve as a young patient鈥檚 only health provider. They also function as a point person for critical public health interventions. Yet many states don鈥檛 require them, and school districts struggle to hire them.

Sin mantas, peluches, ni en brazos de sus padres: c贸mo hacer que los beb茅s duerman seguros

麻豆女优 Health News Original

Algunas advertencias claras: los beb茅s no deben dormir con mantas, peluches o protectores que puedan provocar asfixia o estrangulamiento. Tampoco en brazos de los padres.

Texan Activists Thirst for a National Heat Standard to Protect Outdoor Workers

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As much of the U.S. faces extremely high summer temperatures, Texas鈥 Republican governor, Greg Abbott, has taken steps that effectively eliminate mandated water breaks for construction workers. In response, protesters from the Lone Star State came to Washington, D.C., to press for federal protections for such outdoor workers.

A un a帽o del lanzamiento de la l铆nea 988, 驴Funciona? 驴Qu茅 desaf铆os enfrenta?

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Esta l铆nea fue dise帽ada con la idea de que las personas que experimentan angustia emocional se sintieran m谩s c贸modas buscando ayuda capacitada sin tener que llamar al 911.

Congress Considers Easing Regulations on Air Transport of Donated Organs

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A little-noticed provision of sweeping legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration would make it easier to fly human organs from donor to recipient.

An Outdated Tracking System Is a Key Factor in Texas鈥 Foster Care Shortcomings

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The computer program, designed in 1996 to be a secure location for foster children鈥檚 medical and school records and histories of neglect and abuse, is older than Google 鈥 and has had far fewer updates.

Fentanyl in High School: A Texas Community Grapples With the Reach of the Deadly Opioid

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The first fentanyl-related deaths of students in an area south of Austin, Texas, were reported over the summer. The school district, parents, and students are trying to deal with the aftermath.

Texas Revamps 鈥楢ctive-Shooter鈥 Drills at K-12 Schools to Minimize Trauma

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School lockdown drills are designed to prepare students for violent threats. But for some students, especially those with special needs, the drills can trigger or exacerbate mental health problems. Texas is taking a step toward balancing safety and mental health with new regulations around how the drills are conducted. 鈥淚f some kids are coming away traumatized or we鈥檙e magnifying existing trauma, we鈥檙e not moving in the right direction,鈥 one expert says.

Southern States鈥 Lackluster Monkeypox Efforts Leave LGBTQ+ Groups Going It Alone

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The gay community is disproportionally affected by the monkeypox outbreak, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says public health efforts should prioritize gay and bisexual men. But in the South, some LGBTQ+ advocates fear that this is not happening consistently. They say they are having to take matters into their own hands in the absence of a coordinated response from state governments.