Health Wire

FILE - Cantaloupes are displayed for sale in Virginia on Saturday, July 28, 2017. U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 as the number of people sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week. (AP Photo/J.

FDA expands cantaloupe recall after salmonella infections double in a week

November 24, 2023, 12:53pm Health

U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes Friday as the number of people sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week. Read story

Gov. Jay Inslee cuts the ribbon at a ceremony formally opening Olympic Heritage Health Hospital. Nov. 21, 2023.

Over 200 employees hired to staff Tukwila behavioral hospital bought by Washington

November 24, 2023, 7:25am Health

Washington has hired a little over 200 employees to staff a Tukwila psychiatric hospital the state bought in August for nearly $30 million, according to Jo Sahlin, a spokesperson for the newly-named Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health Hospital. Read story

OxyContin maker’s settlement plan divides victims of opioid crisis. Now it’s up to the Supreme Court

November 23, 2023, 12:40pm Business

The agreement by the maker of OxyContin to settle thousands of lawsuits over the harm done by opioids could help combat the overdose epidemic that the painkiller helped spark. But that does not mean all the victims are satisfied. Read story

A mysterious and potentially fatal respiratory illness affecting canines across the United States begins as a cough that can last for weeks, Today first reported. If antibiotics don’t help, your pet can develop severe pneumonia and struggle to breathe. Some dogs have died from the disease.

WA state veterinarian urges caution as mysterious illness in dogs spreads in U.S.

November 21, 2023, 7:45am Health

The Washington state veterinarian is urging dog owners to protect their dogs as an unusual canine respiratory infection that is potentially fatal spreads in the United States. Read story

This National Family Caregiving Month — celebrated every November — Washington advocates are pointing to the new WA Cares Fund as one solution for supporting family caregivers, who they say will likely become even more important in the years ahead.

‘A pragmatic, modest step’: Making the case for Washington’s new long-term care program

November 21, 2023, 7:30am Health Free

In Washington and across the U.S., the number of people in need of long-term care is on the rise as the population ages. Read story

Many Americans facing financial ruin as costs soar for elder care

Robert Ingenito shaves his father, Jerry Ingenito, at their home in Mamaroneck, New York, on July 5, 2023.

November 19, 2023, 6:02am Health

Margaret Newcomb, 69, a retired French teacher, is desperately trying to protect her retirement savings by caring for her 82-year-old husband, who has severe dementia, at home in Seattle. She used to fear his disease-induced paranoia, but now he’s so frail and confused that he wanders away with no idea… Read story

What long-term care looks like around the world

This photo taken on July 27, 2023, shows senior citizens enjoying cool popsicles after playing the croquet-inspired game of “gateball” at a park in suburban Tokyo. (Richard A.

November 19, 2023, 6:00am Health

Around the world, wealthy countries are struggling to afford long-term care for rapidly aging populations. Most spend more than the United States through government funding or insurance that individuals are legally required to obtain. Some protect individuals from exhausting all their income or wealth paying for long-term care. But as… Read story