Elizabeth Lenz has been working at the pediatric ICU of Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno since she started working for Note-Able Music Therapy Services three years ago. For two hours, three days a week, she brings her Radio Flyer wagon full of musical instruments into patients’ rooms and offers them a chance to bang… [Read More]
Overdoses among Hispanics spiked in 2020; advocates point to lack of services, stigma
As the battle against COVID-19 took center stage over the last two years, another health crisis — drug-related overdoses — was worsening, particularly in the Hispanic community. Overdose deaths among Hispanic residents in Nevada increased by 120 percent between 2019 and 2020, according to data released in October by the state Department of Health and… [Read More]
How Nevada’s new prescription drug savings program works
Nevadans will soon be able to save big on prescription drugs after the state joined a coalition that negotiates lower drug costs, according to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. Last month, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that Nevada will join Oregon and Washington in the Northwest Prescription Drug Consortium, a partnership that allows residents to use drug… [Read More]
‘Those patients are still out there’: How COVID-19 complicated Latinos’ access to health care
Latinos face high rates of COVID-19 and diabetes. But one community clinic in Reno is seeing sharp decreases in patient numbers, deepening the risk for people with chronic illnesses. On a recent weeknight in Reno, Sonia Figueroa was leading a class on nutrition for people with diabetes offered through the volunteer-run Student Outreach Clinic. She’s… [Read More]
Nevada officials encourage immigrants to apply for public health insurance following rollback of public charge rule
State officials said this week that eligible immigrants should apply to Medicaid now that a rule penalizing people for using public assistance has been rolled back. In February 2020, changes made by the Department of Homeland Security to the public charge rule created greater restrictions for immigrants seeking admission to the U.S. through visas or residency from… [Read More]
Board of Health votes to mandate COVID vaccine for Nevada college students
The state Board of Health voted unanimously in an emergency meeting Friday to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students enrolling in Nevada’s public colleges and universities this spring, adding the state’s seven degree-granting schools to the more than 740 nationwide that have implemented similar requirements. Amending an existing regulation that requires certain vaccines for enrollment, the new mandate will… [Read More]
How COVID-19 will impact Latino children and families in the long term
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted millions of families in the United States, whether due to job loss, disruption to schooling, or even worse, the loss of a loved one. But one of the most abruptly and severely affected groups have been Hispanic families. Health experts are raising concerns about the long-lasting consequences the year may have… [Read More]
Delta Variant: Deaths and cases on the rise in Nevada; doctor urges vaccinations
In recent weeks, the arrival of the delta variant in Nevada has caused public concern. On June 2, Washoe County announced the first case of this variant of COVID-19, and to date, a total of 65 cases and two deaths have been reported in the area, a number that is expected to continue to rise…. [Read More]
Talking COVID-19 with Dr. Elieth Martinez (Podcast)
In our most recent conversation we spoke with Dr. Martinez about the pause in the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause, and how to protect yourself from COVID-19 variants to get ready for the Summer season.
Sisolak announces COVID-19 vaccine incentive program with $1 million grand prize
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced on Thursday a new state-run incentive program that will award some $5 million in prizes — including a $1 million grand prize — to Nevada residents who get the COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement of the program, called “Vax Nevada Days,” comes as the state lags behind President Joe Biden’s goal of having 70 percent of adults at… [Read More]