Features

Tobacco Use Among New Mexico High School Students At All-Time Low

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NMDOH News:

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports that rates of cigarette smoking by New Mexico high school students are lower than ever before – dropping by more than 50 percent over the last decade.

According to data from the 2017 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS), youth cigarette smoking has dropped from 24.2 percent in 2007 to nearly one in 10 (10.6 percent) New Mexico high school students in 2017.

Usage rates for other tobacco products including cigars, chew/spit tobacco, and hookah (a large water pipe used to smoke tobacco) have also fallen to historic Read More

UNM-LA EMS And Science Faculty At ScienceFest

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UNM-LA Instructor Leslie Dendy, right, offered a pH testing activity, which drew participants of all ages during ScienceFest 2017. Photo by Nancy Coombs/UNM-LA
 
EMS Instructor and LAFD Battalion Chief Joseph Candelaria talks to community members during an open house in August 2016. EMS Instructor/LAFD Deputy Chief Steve Dewald looks on from the simulated ER/hospital room. Photo by Kateri Morris/UNM-LA

EDUCATION News:

The community is invited to participate in University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Sciencefest activities. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training

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Cancer Foundation For New Mexico’s Support Groups – Free Community Resource

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CFFNM News:
 
SANTA FE — The Cancer Foundation for New Mexico (CFFNM) is a local non-profit organization that provides life-critical services to northern New Mexican cancer patients and their families. Founded in 2003, CFFNM offers mileage reimbursement, overnight lodging and grocery cards to in-need northern New Mexican cancer patients to ensure access to their treatment in Santa Fe.
 
One of its vital services is a comprehensive schedule of support groups to offer healing and hope for cancer patients as well as caregivers and family members.
 
“Our support groups are available
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Local Clinician Recognized As IFM Certified Practitioner

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Dr. Kristen L. Biggs
 
IFM News:
 
The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the global leader in Functional Medicine, has announced Kristen L. Biggs, MD, RPVI, RPhS, FACS of Los Alamos as a member of the May 2018 graduating class of IFM Certified Practiitioners.
 
As an IFM Certified Practitioner of The Intitute for Functional Medicine’s Certification Program (IFMCP), Dr. Biggs is uniquely trained in the Functional Medicine model to identify and treat the root causes of chronic disease. In order to achieve the designation of IFM Certified Practitioner, Dr. Biggs
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Functional Medicine May Be Key To Optimal Health

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Dr. Carmen Solano in front of her office at 1460 Trinity Dr. Suite 8. Courtesy photo
 
By CARMEN SOLANO, MD
Los Alamos

No matter where our summer adventures take place, we don’t want to be slowed down by dis-ease. No energy, brain fog, weakness, low mood, anxiety and a myriad of other symptoms can leave us feeling … well, simply bad.

This is where Functional Medicine can help. It is what is known as lifestyle medicine since the focus is not only about addressing the symptoms, but finding the reason for those symptoms and then restoring functions that are out of balance.

As an example, hypothyroidism Read More

Lujan Grisham Calls For House Hearings On Expanding Radiation Exposure Compensation Program

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U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement Wednesday after the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled, “Examining the Eligibility Requirements for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program to Ensure all Downwinders Receive Coverage.”
 
Under current law, New Mexicans who were impacted by radiation exposure from atomic bomb testing and worked in uranium mines during the Cold War do not have access to compensation.
 
“I am encouraged
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Nancy Partridge Walks To Find Cure For Breast Cancer

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Nancy Partridge participating  in a fundraising 60-mile endurance walk to raise funds for breast cancer research, education and treatment in 2001 in Colorado. Courtesy photo

 
By NANCY PARTRIDGE
Los Alamos
  • Part one in a series

Stage III fire restrictions closed the trails in Los Alamos County. This is a good thing; because, there are people out there who do stupid things that make life harder for the dedicated men and women who protect our community during wildfires. I count myself among them.

At the time of the Cerro Grande Fire I was a news reporter in Colorado. Driving my red Subaru Read More

Health IG Launches Inquiry After Senators Demand Investigation Of Health Department’s Treatment Of Children Separated From Parents

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would conduct a comprehensive review of the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) program after U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to the Office of Inspector General requesting they look into the issue.
 
The request for an investigation follows weeks of uncertainty about the Health Department’s ability to appropriately care for children placed in its custody as a result of President
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U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Releases Plan To Fight Opioid Epidemic In New Mexico

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U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
STATE News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham has released her plan to tackle the opioid epidemic in New Mexico.
 
“Fighting the opioid epidemic will be one of my first priorities as governor. Opioid addiction is ruining lives and communities across New Mexico. It destroys families, contributes to child neglect and abuse, increases crime, and hurts our economy,” Lujan Grisham said. “My plan offers a comprehensive strategy that invests in prevention, and treatment, increases access to
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Udall Fights For Justice For Victims Of Radiation Exposure In Key Senate Hearing

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In a major step forward in the fight for justice for victims of radiation exposure, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) testified Wednesday in a key Senate hearing on the need to enact his legislation to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and provide compensation to all New Mexicans, Tribal members, and families throughout the country affected by exposure to radiation during the Cold War.
 
 
The hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee was held eight
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