Rachel Margret Sun

Lewiston, Moscow, Pullman

Health Reporter at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Health Reporter at The Lewiston Tribune

Health Reporter at Moscow Pullman Daily News

Articles

Washington, Idaho rank high for public health emergency preparedness

3 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

A new report shows that Idaho and Washington state ranked “high” among states prepared to handle public health emergencies, while Oregon ranked “low.”The report, published by Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health group, evaluated 10 different criteria. The criteria included public health and emergency management accreditation, states’ participation in compacts that allow for cross-state nursing practices, water system safety and vaccination rates.
Washington state reports 7-year peak in influenza-related deaths

1 month ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

The Washington Department of Health reported that flu-related deaths have reached their highest levels since the 2017-2018 season. The state had 296 lab-confirmed deaths so far. There are more than six months left of flu season. Flu seasons are measured from October of one year to September of the next. This is the first “high severity” season in seven years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Blood banks are looking for donors

1 month ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

Blood banks in the Northwest reported a drop in blood donations early this year due to cold weather and poor driving conditions. That kept some Northwest blood donors from making or keeping appointments, the Washington State Department of Health reported late last month. Kristin Conner, communications manager at Vitalant Blood Donation, said the biggest drops in blood donation usually come in the winter and summer months.
Smart Transit director says he’s working to improve vehicle maintenance, customer communication

2 months ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

A three-day service outage earlier this month at the Moscow-based nonprofit Smart Transit was caused by a lapse in insurance coverage, said Casey Green, the organization’s executive director. The outage, which Green estimates may have affected over 200 people, happened between Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. He said he’d been working with an insurance broker to get new coverage after being dropped by their previous provider for having too many claims.
Prison education program is giving incarcerated people in Idaho a second chance

2 months ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

Lance Barnes is almost halfway through a 10-year prison sentence. He’s also in his third semester as a student at Lewis-Clark State College. “I certainly didn’t think I would be coming to prison to educate myself,” Barnes said. Barnes, who’s now 42 and a student with a 4.0 GPA, is one of roughly 150 student inmates at facilities in Orofino, Pocatello and Boise receiving a college education through LCSC.
Regence patients could lose coverage at local hospitals, cancer clinic

2 months ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

People with Regence Blueshield of Idaho insurance may have to pay more for services at St. Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health hospitals beginning next year. Regence’s contract with the hospitals in Cottonwood and Orofino, respectively, has ended. But people can still receive “in network” care until Jan. 1, said Kim Johnson, director of marketing and communications at St. Mary’s Health. Regence says it is trying to negotiate a new contract with the hospitals.
Research says walkable neighborhoods can help you stay active — making them work requires delight - Northwest Public Broadcasting

2 months ago | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

People who live in a neighborhood with features such as sidewalks, a park, coffee shops, restaurants and access to public transportation are likely going to be more active than if they lived somewhere without them. That’s because those features are signs of a walkable neighborhood — and walkable neighborhoods are associated with increased activity level, according to a new twin study led by a researcher at Washington State University.
El kratom: ¿Suplemento herbal o droga peligrosa?

Nov 25, 2024 | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

El kratom se puede encontrar en tiendas naturistas, estaciones de gasolina y lugares especializados en productos para fumadores. Se considera una sustancia similar a los opiáceos y se une a uno de los tres tipos de receptores opiáceos del cerebro. En la mayoría de los estados del país no está regulado. Esto se debe a que el kratom, un producto que suele comprarse en forma de polvo verde o en cápsulas, se vende como suplemento herbal. Su popularidad ha ido en aumento a lo largo de los años.
Nursing union at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center votes to ratify updated contract after months of bargaining

Nov 21, 2024 | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun

Teamsters Local No. 690, which represents roughly 200 registered nurses working at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, recently voted to ratify an updated contract with the Lewiston, Idaho, hospital. Larry Kroetch served as the union’s lead negotiator. He said the agreement, which will last for the next three years, will bring nurses’ wages up to par with other area hospitals and secure existing benefits. “We had been behind in other area hospitals, mainly in wages,” Kroetch said.
University of Idaho polling location sees Election Day difficulty

Nov 19, 2024 | nwpb.org | Rachel Margret Sun |Anthony Kuipers

By Anthony Kuipers, Moscow-Pullman Daily NewsUniversity of Idaho students and other Moscow residents had to wait in line for hours during Election Day to cast their vote as poll workers were “overwhelmed” by the large number of voters, according to the Latah County auditor. Anya Zuercher is a U of I junior and a member of Babe Vote, a nonprofit that encourages students to vote. She said many would-be voters gave up and went home before they filled their ballots.