Advocates try again to increase Indiana’s cigarette tax
The American Cancer Society is emphasizing the need to discuss an increase to the state’s cigarette tax, which at 99 cents per pack is the 39th-lowest tax rate in the country.
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Therapists say they can’t meet high demand as anxiety, depression linger
The high demand for therapy is the latest sign of and ongoing U.S. mental health crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Though millions of Americans have returned to normal life, many people feel far from normal.
Loud music might be damaging ears of 1 billion young people, study says
Researchers estimated that between 18 and 29 percent of young people worldwide were regularly exposing themselves to excessively loud noises on headphones, and they estimated just under half were being exposed to unsafe levels in loud venues.
Amazon plans new virtual care offering based on messaging
The retail giant said Tuesday it will launch “Amazon Clinic” in 32 states—but not Indiana—to provide medication refills and care for conditions like allergies, erectile disfunction, hair loss, migraines and urinary tract infections.
State looks for opportunities to reduce overdose deaths
To tamp down on the growing number of opioid overdose deaths, Indiana stakeholders hope to explore ways to intervene earlier by analyzing “touchpoints” between Hoosiers and health care or criminal justice systems.
Roche’s Alzheimer’s drug fails in fresh blow to fraught field
Gantenerumab’s demise is a boost for Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Biogen, which are also developing treatments for Alzheimer’s, said Tim Anderson, an analyst at Wolfe Research. Lilly shares were up 1.8% at midday.
After election, marijuana advocates look to more states
With the addition of Maryland and Missouri, 21 states have legalized recreational marijuana for adults over the past decade—even though it remains illegal under federal law.
MBX Biosciences closes on $115M in drug-development funding
The funding amount is one of the largest in recent years for an Indiana-based science startup.
Roche launches brand for at-home COVID test
The test is the first over-the-counter test distributed in the U.S. by Roche Diagnostics, which has its North American headquarters in Indianapolis.
Kentucky, Michigan voters approve protecting abortion rights
The Tuesday ballot measures came months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion it guaranteed to women nationwide.
Pfizer study says updated COVID boosters rev up protection
Pfizer said people 55 and older who got the omicron-targeting booster had four-fold higher antibody levels than those given an extra dose of the original vaccine.
U.S. agency softens opioid prescribing guidelines for doctors
The previous guidance succeeded in reducing inappropriate and dangerous prescribing, some experts say. But they also were seen as a barrier to care, with some pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions as doctors wrote them.
Abortion doctor files lawsuit against Indiana AG Rokita to stop ‘sham investigations’
Caitlin Bernard, the OB-GYN targeted by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita after she performed an abortion on a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the “baseless investigation” into physicians who provide abortion care.
High demand for amoxicillin causing shortages amid child RSV surge
The supply strain comes as doctors brace not only for the RSV surge to continue but also for the spread of flu and COVID-19 to ramp up.
Franciscan Health nurse pleads guilty to tampering with pain meds
Jennifer L. Adams administered saline solutions instead of prescribed pain medication to between 30 and 40 patients, the court documents said.
Lilly shares stumble on lower profit outlook despite solid quarter
Eli Lilly stock has skyrocketed 36% in the past 52 weeks due to strong sales on newer drugs, but the market reacted negatively to its latest forecast.
Hunger and health panel highlights creative solutions to food insecurity
At a forum Monday morning, much of the conversation involved partnerships between localities, not-for-profits, and health systems and their efforts to offer resources and solutions.
Jim Irsay on mission to spread mental health awareness
The Indianapolis Colts owner, who has publicly battled alcoholism and addiction, has made it a personal mission to help people by breaking down barriers surrounding mental health.
Indiana GOP leaders discuss increased funding for mental health
Republican leaders seemed optimistic they could secure funding for mental health during the 2023 budget-writing session, despite the numerous priorities warring for monies from the state’s healthy surplus.
Indiana’s soaring health care costs linked to market concentration
A high concentration of hospital, physician and insurance markets in Indiana have likely contributed to health care costs soaring 48% in a recent nine-year period, according to a new study commissioned by state lawmakers.