Wildfire smoke: Hazardous breathing conditions
Since yesterday, the widespread forest fires in the Boundary Waters and Canada have created unsafe air quality throughout the upper […]
News
Heat means added risk for people with disabilities
Just a heads-up: the forecast for a week of hot, humid weather means we need to be extra mindful of […]
The Tabakas and Three Rivers Park District are helping people explore the outdoors this summer
For some Minnesotans with disabilities, venturing into the wilderness can feel intimidating. But for Sam and Tracy Tabaka, nature isn’t […]
Your health, their workplace. When should a caregiver wear a mask?
When you rely on personal care assistants (PCAs) or other caregivers, your home is also their workplace. Managing infection control […]
Advocates and people with disabilities hope that Allina Health merger doesn’t negatively affect Courage-Kenny services
For decades, Minnesota’s disability community has held a deep sense of pride in its local institutions. Chief among them was […]
U of MN TeleOutreach connects rural families to care
Rural families concerned about their children’s developmental milestones often wait years for access to behavioral specialists and developmental pediatricians. Maintaining […]
Minnesota chooses medical associations over CDC in new vaccine guidelines
Minnesotans seeking guidance for vaccines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will find that guidance to be in line […]
Health care coverage is in question with federal and UCare cuts ahead
Many Minnesotans, including people with disabilities, are worried about whether they will have health care coverage in the future and […]
Resources available for life with Long COVID
People living with Long COVID have the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial at the University of Minnesota. […]
Tracking available on COVID trends
Looking for reliable information on COVID trends in Minnesota? The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has answers that people need […]
STAY COOL MN campaign is timely
I’m passing along some good information from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), just in time for our heat wave […]
Autism study involves brain scans
Brain scans may be able to detect autism in children as young as six months old, according to a first-of-its-kind […]
‘Brain fog’ impacts linked to Long COVID are focus of latest studies
Living with debilitating Long COVID may mean adjusting to the challenges of what is often called “brain fog,” an inability […]
Infant screenings expanded
Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham has approved the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee’s recommendation to add metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) […]
Resources available for life with Long COVID
Living with Long COVID and looking for resources to make life easier? Wanting to learn more about the condition from […]
ME/CFS, ties to Long COVID are the focus of ongoing research studies
Understanding the effects of Long COVID may also mean understanding what is called ME/CFS. ME/CFS is myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. […]
Supreme Court takes up case
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide whether a teenager with severe epilepsy can sue her Minnesota school after […]
Find out if you qualify for MinnesotaCare health insurance
Getting cost-effective health insurance can have a big impact on your life.But what if you don’t get affordable insurance through […]
HEALTH NOTE: Improved use of Medicaid eyed for American Indian communities
A new state report – co-created with community leaders – offers reflection, guidance and recommendations for action to better use […]
Take steps to protect against radon
With doors and windows shut tight against the cold, dangerous levels of cancer-causing radon gas can build up in homes […]
Gillette Children’s celebrates $7 million expansion of its complex conditions center
Gillette Children’s supporters, employees and community members celebrated the expansion of its specialty center on November 18. The fifth-floor center, […]
Washington County school nurse receives national immunization award
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that Tara Goebel, a health services coordinator and licensed school nurse from South […]
Despite its nickname, COVID-19 variant ‘FLiRT’ should be taken seriously
Could the United States see a summer COVID-19 surge? The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which carefully […]
Those who live with limb loss hope for improved coverage
By Margie O’Loughlin More than 35,000 Minnesotans are living with limb loss, and thousands more are living with limb difference […]
First statewide post-pandemic health assessment is released
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in collaboration with the Healthy Minnesota Partnership, has published the Minnesota Statewide Health Assessment. […]
Changes in collecting disability info
How are people with disabilities counted as part of the U.S. Census? After a backlash from activists, the U.S. Census Bureau […]
Hearing disabilities pose challenges with COVID-19 but help is available
For many people, taking on COVID-19 means simply going to a clinic and getting a vaccine. For people with disabilities, […]
COVID-19 affected staffing, clients’ lives
Staffing challenges, inadequate wage increases, burnout and depression formed COVID-19’s legacy among the professionals who support people with disabilities in their […]
Focus on Long COVID Resources
Gary is a retired university professor, with a distinguished career teaching English. He was admired by students. An academic award is […]
Board on Aging grants support people with Alzheimer’s dementia
Thirteen organizations across Minnesota will have resources to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis and connect […]
Seasonal changes? Precautions are urged
Leaves turning color, cooler days and nights, and the return to school are among the signs of fall. Another sign […]
Renewals effort results mixed
As part of the nationwide effort to encourage people to renew their Medicaid eligibility, nearly 50,000 Minnesotans took action to […]
Doors open for TEFRA
Many Minnesota families with disabled children are celebrating changes to a key state assistance program. Changes to the Tax Equity and […]
A pooled trust preserves money and protects eligibility for benefits
ISSUE SPONSOR | Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota You can avoid the need to spend down financial assets in order […]
Objections to settlement are heard in federal court
by Jane McClure A decision is expected soon on a federal lawsuit centered on living choices and the promises of […]
Emergency’s end means changes
The federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11. But COVID-19 is still with us and is still […]
Get text messages about health insurance
Minnesotans who have Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare can now get text messages about renewing their health insurance. The Minnesota Department […]
In a public health care program? Eligibility is being checked
Minnesota has started verifying eligibility for people in public health care programs. Notices went to about 100,000 people who have Medical […]
Learn about ‘long COVID’ and be aware of many available resources
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is extending its long COVID work in 2023 with the aim to increase knowledge, […]
Leaders dismissed at veterans’ home
Caregivers at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Hastings say a long-standing culture of workplace harassment, retaliation and bullying has led to […]
Double homicide closes link to St. Paul downtown skyway
Stout chains and padlocks on the doors told the story. St. Paul’s downtown skyway tower remained inaccessible through January. People with […]
Health officials extend community outreach to help those most impacted by COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to be a major health threat, especially for Minnesotans with disabilities. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has contracted […]
Volunteers are needed to represent Minnesota’s long-term care residents
Help is needed for Minnesota’s assisted living and nursing home residents. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota’s Office of Ombudsman for […]
Gummies and chews are now available for medical cannabis patients
Patients registered in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program will be eligible to buy gummies and chews from the state’s medical cannabis […]
Record number of overdose deaths in state are cause for alarm
Minnesota public health officials reported a record number of overdose deaths in 2021, following an alarming pattern seen in many […]
Efforts to combat COVID-19 continue in state
Minnesota’s ongoing efforts to counter COVID-19 continue. As case numbers and variants change, state leaders urge Minnesotans with disabilities to […]
Ripples seen statewide with care
The care crisis, with its health care worker shortage and rising rates of worker burnout, is having a ripple effect […]
As COVID-19 pandemic goes on, National Guard is stepping in
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to greatly affect Minnesotans with disabilities, although some bright spots are appearing. There is hope […]
Children’s vaccines, rapid testing allay concerns
News that children ages 5-11 could get COVID-19 vaccines is welcomed by many families, especially those including children with disabilities. […]
Vaccinations and priority are key topics
The advent of vaccines for COVID-19 brings some measure of relief for Minnesotans with disabilities. But it could be months […]
