Health briefs: Calls for artwork in sun safety contest

Calls for artwork in sun safety contest

Roxanna Green: Stand with moms, not the NRA

Roxanna Green, whose 9-year-old daughter was gunned down on Jan. 8, 2011, has a Mother's Day message.

Arizona spent $9M on exchange decision

Gov. Jan Brewer spent $9 million in federal money researching whether Arizona's health-insurance exchange should be run by the state or the federal government, her office confirmed Friday.

Nonprofit a new Arizona health-insurance option

Several Tucson health executives are part of a network that's using a $93 million federal loan to set up a unique, nonprofit Arizona insurance company.

Health Briefs

New rehab center set at NW Medical Center

Busy mental crisis center fined, but officials see bigger picture

The state fined Southern Arizona's only 24-hour mental health crisis center twice in the last year for multiple state violations, but officials with the busy center insist the public should not worry about patient safety.

Arizona testing for new strain of avian flu

In response to a new strain of influenza reported in China, the Arizona State Laboratory has obtained H7N9 influenza test kits from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pima County plans continued financial aid to former Kino Hospital

Pima County's new budget includes $15 million for a south-side hospital operated by the University of Arizona Health Network.

Health Briefs

AZ requests test kits for influenza strain

Journey from victim to activist a reluctant one for Christina-Taylor's mom

After her fearless, joyful 9-year-old daughter was shot dead on Jan. 8, 2011, Roxanna Green did not want to talk about guns, let alone get involved in advocacy for stricter gun laws.

Gabby Giffords toasts Christina-Taylor Green

At Tuesday night's TIME 100 gala in New York City, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband toasted the 9-year-old girl she came so close to meeting on Jan. 8, 2011.

Air Force officer given clemency in sex-assault case is at D-M

An Air Force lieutenant colonel at the center of a national outcry about sexual assaults in the military has been reassigned to Tucson, the hometown of his accuser.

Health Briefs

Health Dept. reports recent norovirus cases

County still seeks patients in dental scare

Pima County health officials say they've contacted nearly half of the patients who may have been exposed to hepatitis or HIV at a local dental clinic.

Tucson Medical Center will open new multimillion-dollar surgical tower May 6

Tucson Medical Center is no longer the country's largest single-story hospital.

Olympian Amanda Beard to talk about her eating disorder tonight

Olympic gold medal winner Amanda Beard is scheduled to talk about her book, "In the Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir," at an event in Tucson tonight. In her book, the international swimming star reveals some of the demons she battled along the way to becoming an Olympian, including al…

HIV, hepatitis scare affects 174 treated at Marana dental clinic

Patients at a now-closed Marana dental clinic could have been exposed to hepatitis or HIV, county health officials said Wednesday.

Pima County Health officials: Patients of closed dental office need disease screening

Former patients of a now-closed Marana dental clinic could have been exposed to hepatitis or HIV, county health officials say.

Slain Giffords aide Zimmerman to be honored Tuesday in DC ceremony

Constituents called Gabriel Zimmerman for all kinds of reasons - veterans needed help getting medals, people were angry about health reform, ranchers were worried about the border.

Free, public talk with Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard

Olympic gold medal winner Amanda Beard is scheduled to talk about her book, "In the Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir," at an event in Tucson next week.

Homeless Tucson teens seeking help at a record-breaking pace

A growing number of Tucson-area youths are becoming casualties of economic and family instability.

Service for University of Arizona medical student today at 3 p.m.

A memorial service for University of Arizona medical student Zach Orman ia scheduled for 3 p.m. today - Wednesday, April 10 at Temple Emanu-El in midtown Tucson.

Pima County Supervisors give 3-2 nod for Medicaid expansion

The Pima County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday morning voted 3-2 in favor of expanding the state's Medicaid program.

University of Arizona medical student dies in paragliding accident

Students and professors at the University of Arizona College of Medicine are mourning the loss of a third year medical student.

Pima County supervisors support governor's plan for Medicaid expansion

Updated: The Pima County Board of Supervisors today voted 3-2 in favor of expanding the state's Medicaid program.

Drug shortage forces county to suspend routine TB tests

Pima County will temporarily halt routine tuberculosis screenings beginning April 15.

Health briefs: Public-health expert to speak on "Obamacare"

Impact of 'Obamacare' topic of expert's talk

Forum about new health law in Tucson Wednesday

Nationally-recognized public health expert Dr. Jonathan Weisbuch, who is the former director of the Maricopa County Health Department, will speak at a free public forum Wednesday evening.

Pima County temporarily halting routine tuberculosis tests

Beginning April 15, Pima County will temporarily halt routine tuberculosis screenings.

TMC quits project for hospital in Green Valley, but plans go forward anyway

Tucson Medical Center says it will not move forward with a partnership to open a hospital in Green Valley.

Doctors disagree on AHCCCS expansion

A 50-year-old Tucson man had lost his job after a heart attack. He needed a new battery for his defibrillator, but had no access to health care.

Health Briefs

Mental health walk to raise awareness

Acclaimed doctor in mind-body research joins University of Arizona

You'd have thought it was a rock concert, not an arthritis lecture.

Prominent UA physician V. Fulginiti dies

Pioneering Tucson pediatrician and internationally recognized scientist Dr. Vincent A. Fulginiti died of cancer March 19. He was 81.

Local Valley Fever cases have spiked significantly, CDC says

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as valley fever, has increased significantly in its "endemic area," which includes Arizona.

Few in county probably know about free discount Rx card

A free discount prescription card offered by Pima County has had a low usage rate, even though it allows an average 68 percent in savings.

University of Arizona Medical Center's lung-transplant program returns, and other health news

UA lung-transplant program returns

Arizona student who took on Aetna has died of colon cancer

Arijit Guha, who earned national attention for challenging Aetna over its health insurance policy for students, died Friday of colon cancer.

Vaccine billboard in Tucson misleads, health officials say

A billboard along Interstate 10 is disingenuous and misleading parents about childhood vaccinations, some local public health officials say.

Drug overdose deaths up in Pima County

More than 300 Pima County residents died of drug overdoses in 2012, a new county report says.

Armless Tucson woman taking her message of hope to Ethiopia

A Tucson woman born with no arms is taking a message to impoverished and post-conflict countries, where people with physical impairments are often shunned and prevented from going to school.

Hospitals get behind AHCCCS expansion

Local hospitals and emergency rooms are at risk of closing if the Legislature doesn't expand a state-run health insurance program to include more people, Arizona Medicaid officials were told Thursday.

Kicanas: New pope is a 'sign of unity'

The newly elected pontiff is from an area of the world with a flourishing Catholicism that will be relatable to many Southern Arizonans, local Catholic leaders said Wednesday.