Newly released data from the Utah Department of Health shows the dental health of Utah children in first through third grade is improving a bit. Dr. Steven J. Steed, State Dental Director, says the percentage of kids who had experienced dental decay fell from 55 percent in 2005 to 51 percent in 2010.
Salt Lake County can be better managed for less. That’s the message of former county councilman Mark Crockett, who’s now hoping to return to county government, this time as mayor. The GOP candidate says millions of dollars can be saved by cutting waste and not overlapping with city services. We asked Crockett what ideas he has to offer voters and delegates heading into the Republican convention a few months away.
The use of tanning beds by Utah residents under 18 years old would be severely restricted under a bill sponsored by Democratic Senator Pat Jones. Receiving passionate testimony on both sides of the argument, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee discussed Senate Bill 41 for well over an hour on Thursday before signing off on the legislation.
It was 61 years ago today that nuclear testing began on the Nevada Test Site, as many residents of Salt Lake Cityand more rural areas like Kane County know too well. That’s why local leaders are marking a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Nuclear Weapons Testing, which was designated by the U.S. Senate, to commemorate the lives of downwinders, those who were exposed to the radiation. Local resident Mary Dickson is one of them.
As Chief Deputy Utah Attorney General, Republican John Swallow has battled against the federal government on issues like health care reform and public lands. Now, with incumbent Mark Shurtleff retiring at the end of 2012, he’s running for his boss’s job.
Though Utah lawmakers already passed a comprehensive Medicaid reform bill last year, more reforms are on the way. This comes after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rejected a substantial portion of last year’s reforms from the state, which had submitted a waiver. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on how that frustrates one state representative.
(KCPW News) Utah residents continue to be some of the healthiest people in the country. The latest United Health Foundation report ranks the state 7th in the nation based on the overall health of the population. Utah Department of Health Executive Director Dr. David Patton says several factors played into the state’s high ranking.
A new report from the Utah Department of Health and the Utah Cancer Action Network will help health departments across the state fight cancer locally. As State Epidemiologist Dr. Robert Rolfs explains, it looks at 61 different communities, evaluating the number of cases, cancer screening rates and tobacco use.
Longtime Utah journalist Holly Mullen’s career path has taken a new turn. The former Salt Lake Tribune columnist, City Weekly editor and political candidate has accepted a temporary, six-month assignment as interim executive director of the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City, which provides crisis intervention, therapy and advocacy. Mullen takes on the role after serving on the center’s board and following the departure of former executive director Heather Stringfellow. KCPW’s Jeff Robinson asked her what inspired her to take on the task.
Some state Medicaid recipients may soon have to work for their health care benefits. Thursday, a public hearing will be held to discuss a waiver that if signed by the federal government would require some in the program to perform community service. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on the controversial law and how soon it could be implemented.
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