public health /tags/public-health public health en-US Copyright Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:44:00 GMT UNM study shows microplastics are increasing over time in human brains /unm-study-microplastic-nanoplastic-brain-liver-kidneys-increasing-doubling-spoon Scientists from the University of New Mexico discussed their recently published research paper Monday wherein they found microplastics are steadily increasing in our bodies over time. The research looked at brains going all the way back to 1997 from different parts of the country, and found a consistent rise in levels that doubles every 10 to 15 years. Tue, 04 Feb 2025 01:44:00 GMT /unm-study-microplastic-nanoplastic-brain-liver-kidneys-increasing-doubling-spoon Daniel Montaño Democratic legislators search for agreement on alcohol tax hike /local-news/2025-01-13/democratic-legislators-search-for-agreement-on-alcohol-tax-hike For the third straight year, lawmakers are trying to raise taxes on alcoholic drinks, in an attempt to reduce New Mexico’s worst-in-the-nation alcohol-related death rate. Mon, 13 Jan 2025 23:42:33 GMT /local-news/2025-01-13/democratic-legislators-search-for-agreement-on-alcohol-tax-hike Ted Alcorn, New Mexico In Depth Cities and counties across New Mexico are joining forces to combat the opioid epidemic /NM-New-Mexico-state-plan-for-opioid-settlement-funds-coming-together-finalizing Cities and counties are joining forces in hopes of making a bigger impact together than they could alone in fighting the Opioid epidemic using funds from settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:25:24 GMT /NM-New-Mexico-state-plan-for-opioid-settlement-funds-coming-together-finalizing Daniel Montaño NM’s behavioral health administrator suggests lawmakers use better data to inform decisions /public-health-new-mexico/2024-12-03/nms-behavioral-health-administrator-suggest-lawmakers-to-use-better-data-to-inform-decisions Lawmakers heard arguments from the state's behavioral health administrator that the Legislature should use updated real-time data systems to inform their decision making, and improve access to behavioral health across the state. Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:13:04 GMT /public-health-new-mexico/2024-12-03/nms-behavioral-health-administrator-suggest-lawmakers-to-use-better-data-to-inform-decisions Daniel Montaño Doctors’ advocacy group urges New Mexico lawmakers to attract more providers /NMMS-medical-society-urges-lawmakers-to-attract-recruit-more-doctors-health-care-workers Representatives of the New Mexico Medical Society recently spoke to state lawmakers about a growing issue in the state: Attracting and retaining medical providers. 91°µÍø's Daniel Montaño reports the state’s short about 5,000 health care workers. Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:22:49 GMT /NMMS-medical-society-urges-lawmakers-to-attract-recruit-more-doctors-health-care-workers Daniel Montaño Whooping cough cases double in New Mexico /public-health-new-mexico/2024-11-15/whooping-cough-cases-double-in-new-mexico NM Health, formerly the Department of Health, announced late last month whooping cough has struck twice as many people in New Mexico than it did last year at the same time, prompting NMHealth to issue a warning. It’s even worse at a national level, with five times as many cases across the country. Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:57:27 GMT /public-health-new-mexico/2024-11-15/whooping-cough-cases-double-in-new-mexico Daniel Montaño Lawmakers and industry leaders spar over possible increased tax on alcohol sales /lawmakers-discuss-raise-on-alcohol-tax-in-nm Some lawmakers want to make another attempt to increase taxes on alcohol sales in the upcoming legislative session. Industry leaders met with some lawmakers Wednesday to state their case against the tax. Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:25:17 GMT /lawmakers-discuss-raise-on-alcohol-tax-in-nm Daniel Montaño Enforcement is falling short in New Mexico’s booming cannabis industry /cannabis-industry-booming-in-nm-but-enforcement-falls-short The cannabis business is booming in New Mexico, according to the industry's top officials, so much so that compliance officers are struggling to keep up. Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:05:12 GMT /cannabis-industry-booming-in-nm-but-enforcement-falls-short Daniel Montaño State lawmakers discuss the future regulation of private equity in healthcare /future-of-nm-mergers-acquisition-regulation Lawmakers met Thursday to discuss the role of private equity in New Mexico’s health care industry. They talked about what a permanent law establishing oversight of hospital mergers and acquisitions would look like. Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:04:43 GMT /future-of-nm-mergers-acquisition-regulation Daniel Montaño UNM researchers find treating inmate addictions reduces recidivism later /Mat-in-jail-prison-helps-reduce-recidivism-unm-research In the fight against the opioid epidemic, Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, is widely considered the most effective treatment for opioid use disorders. Now, research from the University of New Mexico shows when given to people behind bars, it’s less likely they’ll end up going back once released. Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:04:41 GMT /Mat-in-jail-prison-helps-reduce-recidivism-unm-research Daniel Montaño