Health

Visiting doctor to evaluate locals' marijuana needs

In a meeting room at a Spenard hotel this weekend, Alaskans seeking a medical marijuana card can line up to see a Los Angeles ophthalmologist in town to evaluate their medical need for pot -- at $225 a "patient."

Tuberculosis cases spike in Western Alaska villages

Alaska state health officials say they are responding to an increase in cases of confirmed and suspected tuberculosis in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region.

Bill would require ultrasound before abortion

Women would be required to undergo an ultrasound before receiving an abortion under legislation proposed in the Alaska Senate on Wednesday.

Breast cancer charity drops plan to defund Planned Parenthood

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity today abandoned plans to eliminate grants to Planned Parenthood. The startling decision came after three days of virulent criticism that resounded across the Internet, jeopardizing the pink-ribbon group's iconic image.

Breast cancer charity confronts backlash over grant cuts

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the renowned breast-cancer charity, faced an escalating backlash Thursday over its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. Some of Komen's local affiliates are openly upset, and at least one top official has quit, reportedly in protest.

Anchorage Medicare clinics short of patients

Medicare patients last year flooded two new clinics targeting the older population. But recently, the demand has eased off, and clinic officials are beginning to wonder what happened to the rest of the Medicare patients they were expecting.

Alaska hospitals expand to keep up with the population

Fewer family doctors accept Medicare

Alaska hospitals expand to keep up with the population

A growing population has created a boom in Alaska hospital construction. Providence Health and Services is renovating and expanding a facility in Anchorage. The Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center in Fairbanks is replacing its hospital with a new 150,000-square-foot building.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

Bedbugs return to UAA student housing

Bedbugs have been discovered in at least two housing complexes at the University of Alaska Anchorage this month, reports the campus newspaper The Northern Light.

For TV chef, diabetes leads to 'I told you so'

For 10 years, wielding slabs of cream cheese and mounds of mayonnaise, Paula Deen has become television's self-crowned queen of Southern cuisine. On Tuesday, she suddenly revealed -- as has long been rumored -- that she has Type 2 diabetes.

Nicotine replacements don't help smokers quit, study shows

The nicotine gum and patches that millions of smokers use to help kick their habit have no lasting benefit and may backfire in some cases, according to the most rigorous, long-term study to date of nicotine replacement therapy.

Studies shed light on particulars of fall-related injuries in Alaska

Studies published by the state health department show 8,991 cases of fall-related injury hospitalizations in Alaska from 2005 to 2009.

State effort aimed at boosting childhood physical activity

The state is encouraging Alaska elementary schools to take part in a three-month challenge aimed at encouraging kids to be more physically active.

Exhibit of human bodies coming to Anchorage in September

The first exhibit in Alaska of human bodies preserved using "plastination" will be exhibited at the Anchorage Museum this year.

YouTube: Body Worlds vital

YouTube: Visual tour of Body Worlds

States to receive federal bonuses for covering uninsured children

Alaska is one of 23 states to share $296.5 million in federal payments for encouraging low-income families to enroll their children in public health programs.

ACLU sues state, seeks return of seized medical records

Does the state have a right to access your medical records and keep them while pursuing charges against a medical practitioner? That question was at the heart of more than two hours of oral arguments Friday in the Sitka courthouse.

Homer-area man fighting liver failure hopes for transplant

During this season of giving, Shane Campbell has already received one of the greatest gifts of all: the love and support of his community. Now he's hoping for an equally amazing gift. The gift Campbell waits for might come in January when he visits the University of Washington Medical Center to see if he qualifies to go on the donor list to receive a liver.

Suicide prevention research gets $1.4M

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has received $1.4 million for suicide and substance abuse prevention efforts in rural Yup'ik Eskimo communities in Southwestern Alaska.

Anchorage clinics to offer flu shots over next 2 weeks

The Alaska Division of Public Health has scheduled four clinics to offer free adult flu shots in Anchorage locations during the next two weeks, starting Thursday.

Congress has 18 days to settle tax, Social Security issues

President Barack Obama and a bitterly divided Congress have 18 days to figure out whether to continue a Social Security payroll tax cut, avoid a huge drop in Medicare payments to doctors and maintain many unemployment benefits.

Free flu vaccinations still available in Alaska

The state health department still has about 7,500 doses of adult flu vaccine available for free and is urging providers and organizations who want them to take advantage before National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Alaska officials announce manufacturer recalls Craisins

Alaska state officials say the manufacturer of Craisins is recalling the packaged dried cranberries because of possible contamination of small hair-like fragments of metal.