Minnesota recovery community organizations struggle through DHS granting bottleneck
Many recovery community organizations that found out about grant awards in July still haven’t received money from the state Department of Human Services.
Health
Minnesota pharmacy board says it’s ill-equipped to regulate hemp-derived THC edibles
Without licensing of those who make and sell edibles, the board instead relies on complaints from the public to identify and investigate bad actors in the new business created by legislation last spring. Or, in the case of civil litigation it announced Monday, it responds to investigations from the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Report: Assisted living population older, sicker than in the past; facilities often fail to meet needs
Assisted living communities too often fail to meet the needs of older adults and should focus more on residents’ medical and mental health concerns, according to a recent report by a diverse panel of experts.
‘Build that bridge’: Culturally aware approach key to addressing Karen youth addiction crisis
Community bridge building, or tapping the indispensable expertise of people who have lived experience in a specific culture, is one approach that has shown some success in addressing the opioid addiction crisis among Karen youth in the Twin Cities.
Advocates say clinicians can help stem addiction in rural Midwest by prescribing medications
Unlike methadone, the traditional medication to wean people off heroin or other opioids, buprenorphine can be prescribed at primary care clinics and dispensed at neighborhood pharmacies.
Why states’ use of opioid settlement funds could look different from tobacco case
Is the massive tranche of money a target for elected officials to use for politically infused projects that will do little to offer restitution or help those harmed?
Minnesota businesses work to fill increased demand for non-alcoholic beverages
More and more people are seeking out non-alcoholic drinks, and they’re asking for better, more robust options. A few Minnesota businesses are answering the call.
Study aims to show impact of ‘Ecosystem’ of support for people with dementia and their caregivers
A $1.1 million grant from the National Institute on Aging will help researchers at HealthPartners Institute’s Neuroscience Research Center continue to assess the effectiveness of a promising model for dementia care: Care Ecosystem.
Stopping the churn: Why some states want to guarantee Medicaid coverage from birth to age 6
Spurred by pandemic-era lessons, several states are rethinking their enrollment policies for the youngest Medicaid members. Oregon is leading the way after getting federal approval to implement a new continuous-enrollment policy.
‘This problem is real’: Youth opioid addiction puts Minnesota’s Karen community on high alert
Advocates at the Karen Organization of Minnesota say Karen parents from around the state are increasingly concerned that their children are becoming addicted to opioids.
The uninsured entrepreneur
Founders are often reticent to talk health insurance, but the consequences of living without it can be dire. What will it take to start the conversation?
Minnesota health officials weigh whether to allow medical cannabis for opioid use disorder
The Minnesota Psychiatric Society officially registered its opposition. The health department is set to decide on or before Dec. 1.
Breast Cancer Gaps Project aims to improve outcomes for Black women
Most breast cancers are treatable when detected early, but Black women’s breast cancer fatality rate is 40% higher than it is for white women, according to the American Cancer Society.
What a governor, state lawmakers can and can’t do to restrict abortion in Minnesota
Is abortion access settled law in Minnesota? Listening to DFL and Republican candidates might leave you feeling confused. This MinnPost guide to abortion law in Minnesota has you covered.
Teen mental health concerns build audience for NAMI’s Ending the Silence class
NAMI Minnesota began offering Ending the Silence pre-COVID, but demand for the class is up as rates of mental illness among young people continue to rise.
‘It’s a mess out there’: Experts discuss COVID’s impact on weight, health
Nearly half of Americans reported gaining weight after living through this extended period of stress and isolation. And it’s not just weight gain: For countless others, COVID has changed the way we eat in fundamental ways.
Agency staffing shortages put 3,500 disabled Minnesotans on waiting lists for jobs
Agency leaders and advocates are concerned about people’s mental health and are getting ready to ask state lawmakers to help make nonprofit workers’ wages more competitive.
MinnPost poll: In wake of Dobbs ruling, Minnesotans remain supportive of abortion rights in many cases
Minnesotans also tended to express support for abortion in specific scenarios, including in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the woman is at stake.
Hazelden Betty Ford ‘evolves,’ encouraging skills-based approach to family support
Starting this fall, the Center City-based addiction treatment giant will begin to emphasize a program called Community Reinforcement and Family Training that helps family members build skills that move beyond terms like “enabling” and “tough love.”
Minnesota sees an increase in help calls following lifeline number change
In the past months, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received more calls, which can be attributed to the hotline phone number change in mid-July to a shorter three-digit number, 988. But advocates are concerned about frequent callers who might not have access to longer term mental health care.
