COVID-19 exposure app launched in Arizona never reached full potential – KTAR.com
(University of Arizona Website Photo) PHOENIX — The Covid Watch Arizona app could’ve led to fewer COVID-19 cases across the state, but it never reached its full potential. “We have worked with our partners as they’ve developed this contact tracing app,” Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services said. “It’s really […]
$1.9M Grant to Boost Behavioral Health Care Providers in Rural, Medically Underserved Communities
A new University of Arizona Health Sciences program will increase the number of trained, licensed behavioral health professionals available to provide care in rural, border and medically underserved communities in Arizona. Funded by a $1.9 million Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the program will prepare […]
Health Insider weighs in on vaccine protection against Delta variant
PHOENIX — As the more contagious Delta variant spreads rapidly, health experts are worried vaccines won’t be as effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Delta variant spreads more easily and can lead to more severe illness. ABC15 Health Insider Dr. Shad Marvasti and the director of Public Health and Prevention at the University […]
COVID-19 booster shots: What you need to know
PHOENIX — Top US Health Officials are discussing getting COVID booster shots ready after Pfizer requested authorization for a third dose of its vaccine. The company met with the FDA Monday, after announcing a booster shot will be needed in the next 12 months. According to the latest data from TGen, which has been sequencing […]
FDA approves first-ever generic version of insulin, which will dramatically cut costs
PHOENIX — In a win for consumers, the first-ever generic version of insulin has been approved for use, saving hundreds of dollars every month for people with diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Semglee for sale in the U.S. last year but has now approved the drug to be labeled as “generic,” […]
Phoenix, Tempe among places with new mask mandates for city facilities – KTAR.com
(File Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) PHOENIX – Municipalities across Arizona, including Phoenix, are starting to mandate face masks in city buildings again in response to a change in federal COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and rising case numbers. In May, the Phoenix City Council adopted a policy to automatically follow changes in Centers for Disease Control […]
Arizona ban on school mask mandates already backfiring, Hoffman says – KTAR.com
(File Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) PHOENIX – Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said she is on Gov. Doug Ducey’s side when it comes to wanting kids back in classrooms, but a state ban on face mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates is already hindering that goal. “If we’re not doing everything we can […]
Arizona reports 1,759 new COVID-19 cases, 15 additional deaths Thursday – KTAR.com
FILE – A registered nurse gives James Mullen the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination site at NYC Health + Hospitals Metropolitan, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in New York. After months of coaxing people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with incentives like museum tickets and transit passes, New York City is […]
Back-to-school health, safety tips amid rise in COVID-19 cases
Students are headed back to school for the 2021-2022 school year, but coronavirus is again a cause for concern. Data shows a rise in COVID-19 cases among young people and officials at school districts are keeping a close eye on the numbers. We asked ABC15 Health Insider Dr. Janice Johnston with Redirect Health what her […]
Survey shows educational, emotional toll of the pandemic on Arizona teens
(Pexels photo) PHOENIX — A new survey shows how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Arizona teens both academically and emotionally. The nonprofit Junior Achievement of Arizona surveyed more than 1,000 students ages 13 to 17. “We found that nearly 2-in-5 of those students feel that they’re behind educationally because of the pandemic,” Anne Landers, the nonprofit’s […]