Children’s Health

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Addiction experts raise alarm about cannabis use among Oregon’s youth

Attractively marketed, low priced and high-potency marijuana appeals to kids who think it’s safe to use, but it also poses serious mental health risks, including psychosis, for young users

May 13

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Former OHSU oncologist Vinay Prasad tapped by RFK Jr. to head FDA vaccine division

Vinay Prasad rose to prominence criticizing Big Pharma from Portland — then turned his focus to the public health establishment

May 8
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A worker applies an adhesive bandage to a child at a vaccination clinic in Minneapolis’ Corcoran Park in Aug. 2023. Minneapolis is among the cities forced to cancel vaccinations after cutoffs in federal funding. | COURTESY OF CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

As measles outbreaks grow, Trump cuts hinder vaccination efforts

The nation is approaching 1,000 cases across 29 states, including 3 deaths, but funding cuts are shutting down vaccination efforts

May 6

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Bills to permit behavioral health treatment by out-of-state providers were sailing, then hit the rocks

Rep. Ed Diehl said the four bills, intended to address Oregon's critical shortage of behavioral health providers, were pulled by the House Speaker's office at the last minute

Apr 24
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Trump’s war on measurement means losing data on drug Use, maternal mortality, climate change and more

By slashing teams that gather critical data, the administration has left the federal government with no way of understanding if policies are working — and created a lack of information whose consequences could ripple out for decades.

Apr 22

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the Fox Tucson Theatre in Tucson, Arizona in 2024. | COURTESY/GAGE SKIDMORE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

RFK Jr. says he wants to curb measles. His former nonprofit keeps undermining his message.

The Children’s Health Defense has inserted itself into the outbreak with a media operation that repeatedly disputes the MMR vaccine.

Apr 22

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Clockwise from front left: Sophomores Madison Cailteux, Kaden Davis Young, Samuel Stanley, Jack Von Ammon and Pearl Carter participate in cooperative learning during science class at South Eugene High School on Dec. 11, 2023. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

Trio of bills aims to address Oregon's failure to equip kids with needed tools against drugs

Young Oregonians experience more substance use disorder and fatal overdoses than their counterparts in almost any other state. Officials haven't enforced the law requiring kids get science-based prevention tools, but advocates and lawmakers hope to steer a new course.

Mar 11
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Syphilis bacterium. | ILLUSTRATION BY JOMAR JUNIOR/PIXABAY

Oregon faces ‘crisis’ in growing number of babies born with syphilis, officials say

Even as overall syphilis numbers go down in the state, more and more babies are being born with it — particularly in rural areas

Mar 11
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A view of OHSU's South Waterfront campus from its main campus on Marquam Hill. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

With lawsuits tying up Trump’s gender care order, Oregon hospitals still provide services — so far

As politics and legal battles swirl, hospital systems and other providers face conflicting legal and funding threats from state, federal officials

Feb 11
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Rachel Solotaroff at Portland's Old Town Clinic. | COURTESY CENTRAL CITY CONCERN

How Oregon health officials are preparing for change under Trump

Oregonians’ health care could face more change than most states under the new federal administration, and Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of the state health authority, said officials are preparing to respond quickly as things happen

Jan 3
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