Committee OKs bill that boosts age to buy cigarettes, e-liquids to 21
Senate Bill 425, authored by Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, would also prevent anyone under 18 from entering designated smoking areas in clubs and cigar stores.
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Tobacco, opioid epidemics claimed 14,200 Hoosier lives in 2017, studies say
Two reports, sponsored by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, say the state should not let up in fighting twin scourges that claim thousands of lives and cost billions of dollars in health care costs and lost productivity.
Hunger, food insecurity continue to vex Indiana residents
In Indiana, one million people face food insecurity, and in Indianapolis the number is approaching nearly 175,000—or more than 18 percent of the population.
New report moves Indiana out of top 10 fattest states
Of course, Indiana’s improved ranking doesn’t necessarily mean Hoosiers are slimming down, and could simply reflect that other states are getting worse.
Debate rages over Medicaid work rules as state rollout nears
An estimated 85,000 low-income Hoosiers who receive Medicaid benefits will soon need to find a job, volunteer, get job training, or go to school—or risk losing health care for a few months.
Dental care out of reach for many poor Indy residents
In Indianapolis’ 10 poorest census tracts, 60 percent of residents had not visited a dentist within 12 months, according to an IBJ analysis of CDC and Census Bureau research. But in the 10 tracts with the lowest poverty rates, just 25 percent hadn’t.
Indiana experiences record year for drug overdose deaths
Overdose deaths in Indiana rose 18 percent last year compared with 2016 and 37 percent over 2015. A vast majority of the overdoses were caused by opioids.
Health officials urge diners at downtown restaurant to get checked for hepatitis
A food worker at the restaurant tested positive for the virus and might have infected customers on Aug. 6, according to the Marion County Public Health Department.
Indianapolis-based health research group wins $33M federal grant
The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute said Tuesday morning it was chosen to receive the grant from the National Institutes for Health to fund its work in improving the health and economy of Indiana.
Health maintenance organization MDwise struggles to find way forward
The not-for-profit that helps low-income Hoosiers get health care coverage and social services lost $60 million in 2016 and cut about 80 jobs last year.
House panel approves bill to raise state smoking age from 18 to 21
Lawmakers stripped a provision from the bill that would have boosted the cigarette tax from 99 cents a pack to $2.99.
Food insecurity, hunger vex large swath of Indianapolis residents
Nearly 175,000 food-insecure people live in the city. About 47,000 of them are children, whose ability to learn and thrive can be hampered, according to panelists at a local hunger summit on Friday.
FDA’s consumer protection warnings falling under Trump
From January to July, the agency sent 265 warning letters to companies, notifying them of what it alleged to be serious violations of federal rules. That’s the lowest tally for the first seven months of any year since 2008.
State using big data to attack opioid epidemic
Indiana’s Management Performance Hub is organizing and analyzing data to help state agencies make better decisions about fighting the opioid scourge and other systemic problems.
Indiana lawmakers appear unlikely to increase cigarette tax
A proposed $1 per-pack hike in Indiana's cigarette tax appears likely to fail for a second straight year, dismaying public health advocates.
Indiana needle exchange bill heads to governor, who backs it
The state Senate approved the measure Thursday by a 32-16 vote after lengthy discussion about needle exchanges, which aim to reduce the spread of infectious diseases by providing people with clean syringes and discouraging needle sharing
Hospitals, state push to reduce infant mortality in Indiana
Indiana is the 10th highest state for children not reaching their first birthday. Hospitals and public officials want to turn that around.
Indy EMS analyzes data to spot, share trends in public health
IEMS has been at the forefront of big data, unifying granular information into a real-time public health picture and spurring action across other government agencies.
Judge allows state vaping law to move forward
Vaping advocates called Thursday’s decision by Marion County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ayers “a dark day.”
Hospitals try to cut readmissions, avoid steep federal penalties
Across Indiana, 64 hospitals are facing total federal penalties this year estimated at $9.3 million, according to the Indiana Hospital Association. Nationally, hospitals will pay an estimated $420 million.