The warm-season months — May through September — of 2023 were the hottest ever recorded in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which also reports that heat-related emergency room visits nationally hit a six …
ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson appeared on the July 26 episode of Arkansas PBS’ “Arkansas Week” with host Dawn Scott to discuss Arkansas’s maternal mortality crisis and ongoing efforts to analyze and address the issue. Maternal and infant health …
A new KFF analysis finds that health insurance premium payments for Arkansans buying coverage through the health insurance marketplace could increase by an average of 84% — or $828 in annual payments, an increase from $984 to $1,812 — if Congress allows …
Health insurance carriers in Arkansas are proposing average rate hikes of 4.2% for individual market plans and 9.6% for small group plans for the 2025 plan year. Insurers file proposed rate adjustments each year in response to market trends, healthcare …
A new report that ranks states for women’s health and reproductive care places Arkansas near the bottom. The Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care gives Arkansas an overall ranking of 47th among the 50 states and …
Solving Arkansas’s maternal health crisis requires clear information about the many points of risk Arkansas moms face along the birthing journey. In his latest column for the Healthcare Journal of Arkansas, ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson discusses …
It’s easy to take an air-conditioned home for granted when the power is working, but when you lose electricity during a heat wave, your home can change from a refuge to a danger zone. The following tips can help you avoid heat-related illnesses during a …
When it comes to fireworks, the safest approach is to leave them to professionals. Many communities across Arkansas are planning professional displays in celebration of the Fourth of July, and those are your best bet for enjoying some patriotic …
On Tuesday, June 25, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory declaring gun violence a public health crisis. The advisory, issued as the recent mass shooting in Fordyce, Ark., heightens awareness of gun violence, emphasizes the pervasive …
Hospitals in rural Arkansas are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain labor and delivery services, ACHI Health Policy Director Craig Wilson writes in an opinion piece published Thursday, June 27, by Talk Business & Politics. Wilson identifies …
The report also finds that eight fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2023. Five were associated with misuse of fireworks, two were associated with device misfires or malfunctions, and one involved unknown circumstances. The American Academy of …
Healthcare providers should refer children 6 or older who are obese to comprehensive, intensive behavioral interventions, according to a recommendation released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on Tuesday, June 18. Obesity in children …
Arkansans may soon have medical debt information eliminated from their credit reports under a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued Tuesday, June 11. The CFPB’s action follows a 2022 report which found that about 20% of …
Arkansas continues to be among the worst-ranked states for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation (49th), motor vehicle deaths (49th), physical inactivity (48th), and tooth extractions (48th) among older adults. Notably, Arkansas’s …
In a story published online Sunday, June 2, Talk Business & Politics reports on our analyses of teen births and teen birth spacing in Arkansas and discusses the findings with ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson. The analyses are part of our …
As state agencies, hospitals, community groups, and other organizations across Arkansas work to address the state’s maternal health crisis, a key focus of these efforts is expanding support for mothers throughout the birthing journey. To improve maternal …
A new class of prescription weight-loss medication is transforming the U.S. healthcare system. In his column for the May-June 2024 issue of the Healthcare Journal of Arkansas, ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson discusses how drugs such as Ozempic and …
Commercial insurers’ payments to hospitals in 2022 were closer to Medicare’s payment rates in Arkansas than in any other state, according to a new research report by the RAND Corporation. Commercial Insurance Payments vs. Medicare The report examines …
Women ages 40 to 74 should be screened for breast cancer every two years, according to an updated recommendation released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on Tuesday, April 30. Previously, the USPSTF recommended that screening begin no …
A new federal rule will phase in limits on added sugars and sodium in school meals, aiming to provide students access to healthier and more balanced dietary options. The final rule, issued by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of …
