Public Health

Public perception of the opioid crisis: 6 key findings from 7 national polls

To assess the public's perception of the nation's ongoing opioid overdose and addiction crisis, two public health researchers with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston analyzed findings from seven national polls conducted in 2013, 2016 and…

Marin County to expand $1M psychiatric crisis unit after delay

An expansion project for the psychiatric crisis stabilization unit at Marin County General Hospital in Greenbrae, Calif., was orginally intended to be finished by the end of 2017, but construction will begin this month, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

Major farm groups roll out campaign to address opioid epidemic in rural America

The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union — the nation's two largest general farm organizations — launched a campaign to raise awareness about the effect of the opioid epidemic on rural communities.

North Carolina county targets 24 drug companies with opioid lawsuit

An attorney representing Surry County filed a 165-page federal lawsuit Dec. 29, naming 24 drug manufacturers, distributors and their subsidiaries as defendants, according to a Winston-Salem Journal report.

CMS greenlights first 10-year Medicaid waiver in Mississippi

CMS approved its first 10-year Section 1115 Medicaid waiver Dec. 28, authorizing Mississippi to continue its family planning waiver through 2027.

Orange County officials plan mental health emergency center

Orange County, Calif., officials are planning to open the area's first treatment center for mental health and drug abuse emergencies in a building near the county's largest homeless encampment, according to the Orange County Register.

Disabled Medicare beneficiaries in low income counties more likely to be prescribed opioids

Local economic factors significantly influence opioid prescribing practices for Medicare beneficiaries under the age of 65, according to a study published in the journal Medical Care.

HCA warns patients they 'will feel pain' in effort to curb opioid use: 4 things to know

Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America and Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health are working to change patients' pain expectations to help curb the nation's opioid overdose crisis, according to a report from Nashville Public Radio.

Self-inflicted shooting prompts lockdown of Minnesota ER

North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minn., put its emergency room on lockdown Saturday night after a self-inflicted shooting occurred, according to a Star Tribune report.

UK hospitals may roll out 'drunk tanks' nationwide to ease ER strains

Health officials in the U.K. are considering nationwide deployment of 'drunk tanks' to lessen the strain heavy drinkers place on emergency rooms and ambulance services, according to ABC News.