Valley veteran raising awareness about mental health
As we approach Veterans Day, ABC15 is taking a closer look at issues impacting veterans here in Arizona and across the country. Veterans are 57% more likely to die by suicide – that’s according to a report from the Department of Veterans Affairs. But the mental health concerns extend beyond that. ABC15 recently sat down […]
HEALTH INSIDER: Are plant-based diets safe for kids?
PHOENIX — Whether you are considering switching your family to a plant-based diet or have a child who refuses to eat meat or dairy, some have questions about nutritional safety. In this interview with ABC15 Health Insider Dr. Shad Marvasti, we discuss how to safely implement vegan or vegetarian diets at a young age. Dr. […]
This home appliance can put out more benzene than secondhand smoke
Gas stoves can put out more benzene into your home than secondhand smoke from cigarettes, according to a study. Benzene is a known cancer-causing chemical that is widely used across the U.S. to make things like plastic, resin and synthetic fibers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Stanford-led study published in the American Chemical […]
What’s the latest to know about COVID, flu vaccines as respiratory virus season begins?
As the United States heads into the cold-weather months, respiratory virus season has also arrived, with cases of influenza and COVID-19 likely to increase. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that everyone 6 months and older stay up-to-date and get a flu vaccine and a COVID vaccine, and that it’s safe […]
Tempe raises age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 years old after unanimous vote
TEMPE, AZ — Tempe has voted to raise the age a person can purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old. Following a second and final public discussion Thursday evening, the city council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance, to raise the age. The ordinance also installs fines and fees to ensure retailers are […]
Maricopa County has had more heat-related deaths in 2023 than any year on record
PHOENIX — Maricopa County has officially had more heat-related deaths in 2023 than any other year on record. That’s according to the latest report from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Released Wednesday, the report confirmed 469 heat-associated deaths in 2023. The old record, set last year, was 420. The county tied that record […]
2023 matches record for number of heat deaths in Maricopa County
PHOENIX — Heat deaths in Maricopa County continue to climb, and now 2023 has matched last year for the number of confirmed heat-related deaths. Last year, there were 425 heat-related deaths confirmed, up 25 percent from the previous record set in 2021. 2023 matched the death count of 425 on Thursday, according to the Maricopa […]
Future Arizona State University medical school to be located in downtown Phoenix
PHOENIX — The future medical school at Arizona State University will be located in downtown Phoenix. ASU President Michael Crow and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego appeared in a video announcement that was released Thursday. ASU Health will consist of a medical school built around engineering and a School of Public Health Technology. “We are looking […]
Tucson man opens up about stigma of male breast cancer
TUCSON, AZ — Eric Hanson first noticed the lump in his chest in 2018. “I kept passing it off as many other things,” Hanson said. “I didn’t expect it to be anything in particular, maybe a bug bite or something of that nature. And I realized that it wasn’t going away.” After talking to his […]
Caring Contacts creates support system for teens dealing with mental health crises
PHOENIX — A teen support program aims to fill the gap in care after a suicide attempt when the risk of re-hospitalization is at its highest. Teen Lifeline, a Phoenix-based non-profit, has launched the Caring Contacts program. Based on a decades-old practice that has been successfully used with adults, when a teenager is released from […]