child health

Insurance companies apply to provide Affordable Care Act coverage to Michiganders

Steve Carmody — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:40:31 +0000

More than a dozen insurance companies want to be part of a health care exchange that provides coverage to Michiganders under the new federal health care law.

How healthy is your county? The 10 best and 10 worst in Michigan

Steve Carmody — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:27:00 +0000

A new survey shows your health may depend on where you live in Michigan.

The University of Wisconsin puts out an annual assessment of the health of the nation’s counties. The survey compares different factors, including access to clinical care and personal habits, like smoking.

As you may expect, counties surrounding Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids score high on the survey, but so do several counties in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

4 die in 2 Michigan homes, carbon monoxide suspected

The Associated Press — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 16:20:27 +0000

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Michigan authorities say four people are dead in two separate incidents of what may have been accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Flint police say they found a man and woman dead early Christmas morning and say a child is hospitalized as a result of an apparent accident, and a gas utility truck has been called to the scene.

Mlive.com says police aren't able to confirm that the deaths were due to carbon monoxide poisoning but say no foul play was involved.

New program offers Michigan kids alternative to foster care

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:57:34 +0000

Michigan's Department of Human Services (DHS) is piloting a new program designed to keep "at risk" kids in their homes instead of handing them over to foster care.

The program will target families with children younger than five years of age.

From DHS:

How to avoid burnout and help more people

Sarah Alvarez — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:16:12 +0000

Health insurance is such a political issue, talked about all the time and so dispassionately, that it can be easy to forget just how important it is to some families. But, last year the Census estimated paying for health care pushed at least 10 million Americans into poverty.

Why is lack of exercise the number one health concern for kids?

Sarah Alvarez — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:42:09 +0000

Kids don't get enough exercise, and it's really bad for their heath. That's what many adults told a national survey. Lack of exercise was number one on the list of top-ten child health concerns according to the survey conducted by C. S. Mott Children's Hospital. Obesity and smoking rounded out the top three health concerns for kids.

Childhood health poll: Americans most concerned about inactive, obese children

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:55:15 +0000

People in the United States are more concerned about the physical fitness of their community's children than any other health issue.

That was the finding of a University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital poll on children’s health.

When asked about the nation's most pressing childhood health concerns, 39 percent of adults listed "not enough exercise," trailed by "childhood obesity" with 38 percent.

Improving Michigan's infant mortality rate

Steve Carmody — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:24:47 +0000

The Snyder Administration has outlined its plan to reduce infant mortality in Michigan, but some say the plan needs more state funding to work.