Oregon Public Broadcasting

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The Oregon Health Authority's Salem headquarters. | OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

Federal program grants $2 million to house Oregonians living with HIV/AIDS

Experts note a “strong connection” between health outcomes and stable housing.

Dec 27, 2022

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STREET CAMPERS ON SOUTHWEST 13TH AVENUE IN PORTLAND ARE CLEARED FROM THE AREA ON APRIL 12, 2022. THE CAMP HAD BEEN HOME TO A GROUP BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24./REBECCA ELLIS/OPB

Portland mayor suggests easing process to involuntarily commit people with mental health struggles

Oregon has long made it difficult to force people to get mental health treatment. But as homelessness worsens, there are growing calls to loosen those laws.

Dec 13, 2022

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PROTECTIVE GLOVES AND EQUIPMENT ARE SEEN AT LEGACY'S GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL IN NORTHWEST PORTLAND./ALAN SYLVESTRE /OPB

Overwhelmed Portland hospitals enter crisis standards of care

Struggling to treat a surge of patients, Portland metro-area hospitals have adopted standards that allow reduced staffing and more triaging.

Dec 10, 2022

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LULIIA BONDARENKO/PIXABAY

Oregon Workers, Employers Will Soon Pay Into State’s New Paid Leave Program

Oregonians should see deductions from their paychecks in January. Paid leave benefits are scheduled to roll out in September.

Dec 8, 2022

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OHSU Hospital on Marquam Hill. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon’s Hospitals Are Struggling With Weeks To Go In Respiratory Illness Season

Emergency rooms across the state are overflowing and in some cases parents are seeking hospital care when it’s not needed — but there may be relief on the horizon.

Dec 6, 2022

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OHSU HOSPITAL/COURTESY PHOTO VIA OPB

OHSU Shifts To Emergency Mode Amid Rise In Serious Pediatric Cases

OHSU says it has no more pediatric ICU beds available and is formally shifting to what’s known as crisis standards of care mode.

Nov 22, 2022

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PIXABAY

Multnomah County Report: Replace Gas Appliances To Reduce Health, Climate Change Impacts

Health officials say gas stoves release harmful chemicals that get trapped indoors — even when the stove is not in use.

Nov 15, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Kids’ COVID-19 Booster Shots Hard To Find In Oregon

More boosters are available in pharmacies than at pediatricians’ offices, but the priority is to get kids their first series of shots.

Nov 15, 2022

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Inside Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. | LYNNE TERRY/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon Governor Issues Order To Help Hospitals Address Rising Pediatric Cases Of RSV

Hospitals are gaining flexibility to staff beds for children and allow them to draw on a pool of nurse and doctor volunteers.

Nov 15, 2022

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In this file photo from 2017, a young girl receives a flu vaccine. An increase in hospitalizations for RSV has prompted the Oregon Health Authority to send out an alert to hospitals and doctors statewide/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | OPB

Increase In RSV Has Oregon Officials Worried About ICU Beds For Children

Usually mild, RSV is a viral infection that can be dangerous for young children and older adults.

Nov 12, 2022