public health

Steadily rising temperatures are part of what the American Medical Association and others have declared a public health crisis, affecting everything from mental health to physical health to social wellbeing.

A team led by a University of Arizona scientist has traced the source of the COVID-19 virus to a wildlife market in China. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports on the research, published this week in Science.

The COVID-19 vaccine was approved for children under the age of five last month. But nationwide, only 2% of kids in that age group have received a shot so far. And only 30% of children ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny spoke with Dr. Emmy Iles of Mountain View Pediatrics in Flagstaff about the slow vaccination rates and what parents need to know.

Northern Arizona Healthcare plans to build a “health and wellness village” in Flagstaff. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, the proposed facilities include a new hospital with expanded capacity to serve patients from Flagstaff, the Navajo Nation, and rural areas of Northern Arizona.

Navajo Nation health officials say 58 reservation communities have uncontrolled spread of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show high levels of COVID-19 transmission throughout most of Arizona, including all counties in the northern half of the state.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says progress on fighting antimicrobial resistant infections reversed course during the COVID-19 pandemic. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, resistant infections rose by 15 percent from 2019 to 2020.

Nine of Arizona’s 15 counties are now in a high level of COVID-19 community transmission including Coconino, Yavapai, Mohave, Apache and Navajo.

Navajo Nation health officials continue to report rising COVID-19 cases on the reservation as Navajo and Apache counties are in high community transmission.

Northern Arizona Healthcare will tighten visitation rules at its Flagstaff and Verde Valley medical centers because of increased spread of COVID-19 in the region.