Latest news with #TennesseeDepartmentofHealth
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
It's hot in Tennessee. A new law will make it hotter – and you sicker.
Last legislative session, Tennessee lawmakers voted on a bill that, on its face, seemed technical and harmless. The jargon-loaded legislation stated that 'the International Energy Conservation Code's requirements for roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance for low-sloped roofs do not apply in this state.' A roofing industry lobbyist even testified before members of the legislature that the bill was benign, 'simply a fix; not quite administrative, but almost.' Not even close. This deceptive bill — SB 1194/HB 0801 — which passed through the legislature and is now state law, will harm the health of Tennesseans. It will also lead to much hotter temperatures in Memphis and Nashville, and throughout the southern and western part of the state. That's not a 'fix' worth supporting. Which is why I voted against it. Memphis and Nashville are already experiencing dangerous urban heat levels, which disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, outdoor workers, and people who struggle with high energy costs. Propped up by a narrow industry lobbying group, this new law will undermine standards that are crucial for reducing extreme heat impacts. It will have an even more harmful effect on Tennessee's under-served Black and Brown communities, including many of the neighborhoods I represent in Nashville. Unfortunately, this is the same case in countless frontline communities across the nation. Years ago, Tennessee adopted the International Energy Conservation Code's requirements for cool roofing. It required new commercial buildings and multi-family buildings with low-sloped roofs to install light-colored 'cool roofs' in parts of the state. These cool roofs reflect solar energy and reduce heat transfer, both in the buildings and for surrounding communities. Cool roofs are a proven, cost-effective solution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They reduce peak cooling demand by 11-27% and provide annual energy cost savings of up to 7.5%. This ill-conceived legislation stripped out a common part of the energy code that has been saving money and improving the health of Tennesseans. Letter: My neighbors and I served Nashville for years. Now we can't afford to live here. We desperately need more cool roofs in our state. Every year, at least 2,000 emergency room visits in Tennessee are attributed to heat, with over 4,000 heat-related ER visits in 2023 alone, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Research from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville confirms that urban areas across the state experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding regions. This is due to the urban heat-island effect, which occurs when man-made structures absorb and re-emit the sun's heat. With this new law, commercial and multi-family buildings in Tennessee will continue to absorb and trap heat, raising cooling costs and putting residents at risk — particularly seniors, children, and other vulnerable populations. That's why a coalition of pro-health groups wrote letters in opposition to the bill. The coalition included the American Public Health Association, the Tennessee/Kentucky chapter of the American Lung Association, and the non-profit Smart Surfaces Coalition, which includes the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church as a key partner. The lobbyists who pushed the bill through, representing roofing companies that manufacture so-called 'dark roof' products, know they are losing market share because dark roofing materials make buildings less efficient, communities hotter, and often cost more than cool-roof options. Letters: Readers question motivations, actions of Tennessee's elected officials The dark-roofing industry has also created a disinformation campaign about cool roofs, questioning decades-long science. They misrepresented the bill as a minor, technical patch when the legislation has massive health implications for the state. This new law will lead to higher energy costs and cause an increase in heat-related illnesses and deaths, and it will force taxpayers to subsidize structural environmental inequality. I urge my fellow lawmakers to revisit this poorly understood bill and let common sense prevail. Rep. Harold Love, Jr., D-Nashville, represents the 58th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives and is Pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church and President of The National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Rev. Dr. Jon Robinson is the Smart Surfaces Senior Program Director at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee weather is hot. A new roof law makes it hotter | Opinion
Business Journals
14-05-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
WGU aims to address Tennessee's health care workforce shortage (video)
The COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world in the most unexpected manner — questioning all advancements and established norms of a 'routine' life. The blunt reminders of the transient nature of human life and the collective impact of disruptions to everyday behaviors changed perceptions for a multitude of industries and careers. A primary example is the health care industry that was exceptionally resilient, yet acutely impacted and severely altered, perhaps forever. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the state currently faces provider shortages in physicians, dentists and mental health care providers; meaning that many Tennesseans struggle with access to health care providers when they need one. The Tennessee Hospital Association projects the pandemic caused an unprecedented staffing crisis that will last well into the next decade, including an anticipated shortfall of 8,500 registered nurses through 2035. The accredited, nonprofit Western Governors University's (WGU) Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) collaborated with Synergy 3C and HealthCorum to organize HealthEQ Tennessee, a Franklin-based health conference that aimed at converging diverse stakeholders to discuss solutions for elevating Tennessee's health landscape and addressing the state's workforce shortage. With WGU's competency-based model of education, that promotes flexible and affordable learning, the university is steadily addressing the nation's health care workforce shortages. Check out what the state and institution experts have to say about Tennessee's health care landscape and workforce shortage in the video. Learn more about the Leavitt School of Health (
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Beware the blood suckers: It's tick season in Tennessee. Here's everything to know
With warm weather and longer days also comes the beginning of tick season. Tick season in Tennessee has already started and if you like being outdoors, you should be taking precautions. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the number of ticks in Tennessee has been on the rise in recent years, and along with that comes an increase in the diseases that these pests carry. And though the blood sucking insects are small and hard to detect, it is essential to keep an eye out for them in the coming months. There are ways to protect yourself from getting bitten and potentially contracting a tick-borne disease. Here's what to know about ticks, prevention and more for the upcoming season. What do ticks look like? Ticks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all of them have the potential to make people sick with diseases like Lyme's Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and alpha-gal syndrome. Take a look at the different types of ticks in our gallery. The most commonly found ones in Tennessee are the Brown dog tick, the Gulf Coast tick and the Lone Star tick. Where are ticks usually found? Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, dense and wooded areas where they can find hosts like deer, rodents and birds. They can even come from a beloved pet or other animals you come in contact with. According to Terminix, the only way for ticks to spread to new areas is to hitch a ride on their host. Although the insects are usually found outdoors, they can enter your home on pets or clothing. They're not typically found in beds like bed bugs or fleas. What is Lyme disease? Do ticks spread other diseases? Ticks carry a plethora of bacteria with them, and once they bite a human, they can spread a number of diseases. One of the most prevalent is Lyme disease. According to the CDC, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. Humans can get Lyme disease through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash that often resembles a bulls-eye. It is more prevalent in the northeastern or upper Midwest areas of the U.S., but according to the Department of Health, it is making its way into Tennessee. Here are some of the more common tick bite-related illnesses. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Another disease is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and where Lyme disease can affect your health, RMSF could be potentially fatal. According to the CDC, Tennessee is a common place for it. It is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick, often by an American dog tick, brown dog tick or Rocky Mountain wood tick. Most people who get sick with this will have a fever, headache and rash. RMSF could be deadly if not treated with the right antibiotics early. Alpha-gal syndrome This is a fairly new one when it comes to tick-borne illnesses. Alpha-gal syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening allergy to pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, and/or venison, and byproducts of these animals. According to the CDC, it is usually associated with the bite of a lone star tick in the U.S., but other kinds of ticks have not been ruled out as carriers of it. How to check for ticks Ticks most often infect people in the outdoors and are then brought into homes. Here are some tips from Terminix on checking for ticks. Thoroughly inspect your body and your pets after spending time outdoors, especially in areas with tall grass or dense foliage. Begin with your scalp, as ticks can often hide there. Use a mirror or ask someone to help you check hard-to-see areas such as behind the ears, underarms, and around the groin. For pets, check their fur and skin, paying attention to areas where ticks might latch on. If you find a tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping it as close to the skin as possible. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or an antiseptic. Flush the tick down the toilet or throw it away in a sealed bag. Monitor the bite area for any signs of infection or rash, and if any unusual symptoms develop or you have concerns, seek medical advice promptly. How do I remove a tick? If you are bitten by a tick be carful when removing it. Here are some tips on removal from the CDC. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by: putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Document when you discovered the tick and where you could have picked it up. If you are bitten by a tick, keep an eye out on the area for any rashes and contact your doctor. How to avoid tick bites Ticks are known to hide in tall, grassy areas before they latch onto their chosen hosts. Here are some ways to avoid tick bites. Wear long pants, socks, and long sleeves when entering grassy, bushy, and wooded areas. Tuck pants into socks or boots to create an extra barrier. Stick to the center of cleared paths and avoid walking through tall grass and other areas where ticks are more likely to be. Conduct tick checks every two to three hours while outdoors, and thoroughly check yourself, your children, and your pets when you return indoors. Does anything eat ticks? A number of animals find ticks to be tasty treats and are important in keeping the tick population down. Field & Stream put a list together of the tick's natural predators. Here are some of the animals that eat ticks: Chickens Ducks Ground feeding birds Squirrels and other rodents: They will eat them, but are also a primary source for tick-borne illnesses Frogs Lizards Wild turkeys Opossums Reptiles This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What kind of ticks are in Tennessee? Do the carry Lyme's disease
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Trump restores Title X funding for two anti-abortion states - while wiping it out elsewhere
The Trump administration quietly restored federal family planning money to Tennessee and Oklahoma, despite court rulings that the states weren't entitled to funds because they refused to provide women information about terminating pregnancies or abortion referrals on request. The decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to restore millions of dollars for the two states came as it simultaneously withheld nearly $66 million from clinics in the Title X program elsewhere. Title X for more than 50 years has provided sexual and reproductive health services especially to low-income, hard-to-reach people, including minors. The Biden administration in 2023 cut off funding to Tennessee and Oklahoma, saying they violated federal rules by not offering counseling to patients about abortion. The states sued federal health officials. And courts ruled against the states. On March 31, HHS restored $3.1 million in family planning funds for the Tennessee Department of Health and nearly $2 million for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, according to court filings. In the notices, HHS said family planning funds were sent to the two states "pursuant to a settlement agreement with the recipient." Yet "there has been no agreement with Tennessee to settle this litigation," Department of Justice lawyers wrote in an April 23 court filing. Zach West, an official with the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General, separately wrote on April 17 that the state's grant notice "wrongly indicated that a settlement agreement had been reached. No agreement has yet been entertained or discussed in any substantial manner in this case." "To our knowledge no settlement has been reached between the State of Oklahoma and HHS in the pending litigation," Erica Rankin-Riley, public information officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said in an email in response to questions. She said the state's Title X clinics are not providing referrals for abortion or counseling pregnant women about terminating pregnancies. "We are appreciative of all that has been involved in restoring Oklahoma's long-standing and successful Title X grant," Rankin-Riley said, "and look forward to continuing these important services throughout the state as we have done for over 50 years." Spokespeople for HHS and the Tennessee Department of Health did not respond to requests for comment. Title X was established to reduce unintended pregnancies and provide related preventive health care. As of 2023, more than 3,800 clinics across the country used federal grants to supply free or low-cost contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections, screening for breast and cervical cancer, and pregnancy-related counseling. Nationwide, more than 4 in 5 people who use Title X's services are women, according to HHS. Federal law prohibits clinics from using Title X money to pay for abortions. However, HHS regulations issued in 2021 say participating clinics must offer pregnant women information about prenatal care and delivery, infant care, foster care, adoption, and pregnancy termination. That includes counseling patients about abortion and providing abortion referrals on request. HHS under President Donald Trump has not yet revised the Biden-era regulations, which means participating clinics are still required to provide abortion counseling and abortion referrals for pregnant women who request them. After the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which ended the constitutional right to an abortion, Tennessee and Oklahoma enacted strict abortion bans with few exceptions. The states told their Title X clinics they could discuss or make referrals only for services that were legal in their states, effectively cutting off any talk about abortion. "Continued funding is not in the best interest of the government," two HHS officials wrote to Tennessee officials on March 20, 2023. Tennessee and Oklahoma subsequently sued in federal court. A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled against Tennessee, while Oklahoma asked the Supreme Court to review the case after that state lost in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. State officials suggested even they weren't sure why they got some of their funding back before the lawsuits were resolved. "If Oklahoma's award is not being restored pursuant to a settlement agreement, then what is the reason for the partial restoration, and is it permanent?" West wrote. "Tennessee has not yet ascertained the formal position of HHS with respect to whether HHS intends to fully restore Tennessee's Title X funding," Whitney Hermandorfer of the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General wrote in an April 7 letter. A report from HHS' Office of Population Affairs said 60% of roughly 2.8 million patients who received Title X services in 2023 had family incomes at or below the poverty line. Twenty-seven percent were uninsured, more than three times the national uninsured rate. In fiscal 2024, the federal government awarded Title X grants to nearly 90 entities, a mix of state and local governments and private organizations. Those grantees distribute funds to public or private clinics. The decision to restore some of Tennessee and Oklahoma's funding diverges sharply from the approach HHS under Trump has taken with other Title X participants. On March 31, HHS withheld family planning funds from 16 entities, including nine Planned Parenthood affiliates. At least seven states - California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and Utah - now do not have any Title X-funded family planning services, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court by the ACLU and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, which lobbies for Title X clinics. Overall, 865 family planning clinics are unable to provide services to roughly 842,000 people, the lawsuit states. "We know what happens when health care providers cannot use Title X funding: People across the country suffer, cancers go undetected, access to birth control is severely reduced, and the nation's STI crisis worsens," Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a statement. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Addiction is about isolation': RFK Jr. speaks to battle against substance abuse
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke Thursday at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, opening up about his own struggles with substance abuse and how communities can be part of the solution. RFK Jr. shared how his addiction began at a young age following the assassination of his father. Now 42 years sober and working in his new role as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, he said the fight against addiction starts with strong community support. 'I go to a meeting every day; I got off the plane last night. I went to a meeting,' Kennedy explained. 'When I came in 42 years ago, I said to a guy, 'How long do I have to keep coming to these meetings?' He said, 'Just keep coming until you like it.' I've been going 42 years, and I still don't like it.' 'Make America safe again': U.S. Attorney General gives update to the fight against opioid crisis Kennedy called the addiction and overdose crisis a national security threat. 'Addiction is about isolation,' Kennedy said. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, 3,814 people died from overdoses in 2021, which is a 26% jump from the year before. Kennedy advocated for 12-step programs and local support systems, saying the key is rebuilding hope, especially for young people. 'I found that in the 12-step program, it is about getting rid of isolation, overcoming isolation, and re-establishing our connection to community,' he said. 'My life made it obvious that I didn't know how to run things, and I had to let someone else, which was God, run them,' Kennedy expressed. 'But when the cash prices start coming in, my inclination was to say, 'Thanks God I got it from here' and take the wheel of the car and drive off the cliff again. And the challenge for me, and I think for all of us who are trying to maintain long-term sobriety, is: how do we stay in a posture of surrender even when everything is going well in our lives?' During his speech, protestors voiced frustration with his previous statements on autism and job cuts. Autism community sounds alarms over 'harmful' RFK Jr. comments These topics were not addressed in his speech on Thursday. But he did touch on topics often associated with the growing issue of substance abuse, including open borders. 'President Trump was in [Mexico] three weeks ago,' Kennedy described. 'He met with Claudia Sheinbaum, the new president of Mexico. He said to her, 'All of the drugs are coming through your country. Do you have an addiction problem?' She said, 'No, not really'. He said, 'Why is that?' and she said, 'Because we have strong families in this country.' And one of the things that addiction is a source of misery, it is also a source of misery.' He continued on to say that while Narcan, border security, and funding are important, they are not enough without community connection. 'We have $4 billion at my agency to finance those solutions, and those attacks on addiction and overdose; that alone throwing money at it is not alone going to work,' Kennedy said. 'We need to really focus on re-establishing these historic ties to the community. We have this whole generation of kids who have lost hope in their future.' ⏩ Kennedy closed with a call for action to help young people find purpose and build a sense of belonging. 'I would encourage you all to think broadly about what our mission is because it is not just about making sure every cop and paramedic has Naloxone on them, though that is important,' Kennedy concluded. 'And it is not just about prevention on the border, that is important. It is not just making sure every addict, when they have those moments when they are willing to ask for help, that there's a rehab ready for them to go to, and that is critically important. But there are bigger issues: how do we restore our families? How do we restore that commitment to the community?' His answer was to prioritize serving one another. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
