health

This photo provided by Amy Watson of Portland, Ore., shows her during an iron infusion in December 2022. Watson, approaching 50, says she has “never had any kind of recovery” from COVID-19. She has had severe migraines, plus digestive, nerve and foot problems. Recently she developed severe anemia. (Amy Watson)

Long COVID: Could mono virus or fat cells be playing roles?

Scientists are still trying to figure out why some people get long COVID.

This photo provided by Amy Watson of Portland, Ore., shows her during an iron infusion in December 2022. Watson, approaching 50, says she has “never had any kind of recovery” from COVID-19. She has had severe migraines, plus digestive, nerve and foot problems. Recently she developed severe anemia. (Amy Watson)
Wildflower Court, which has been forced to scale back its long-term nursing care to about 75% of capacity due to staffing and other difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, is being acquired by Bartlett Regional Hospital, officials at both facilities said Thursday. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett to acquire Wildflower Court

Long-term facility recently forced to reduce capacity; officials hope merger also helps hospice gap

Wildflower Court, which has been forced to scale back its long-term nursing care to about 75% of capacity due to staffing and other difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, is being acquired by Bartlett Regional Hospital, officials at both facilities said Thursday. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire file photo)
A chart shows non-genital syphilis cases in Alaska have risen about 1,340% between 2017 and 2021, reflecting an enormous increase in cases nationwide. But Alaska is among the states with the highest rates of increase, with the third-highest rates of syphilis and chlamydia in 2020, the most recent year state-by-state comparisons are available. (Alaska Department of Health)

Syphilis cases still skyrocketing statewide

1,340% increase between 2017 and 2021 largely due to state’s relative youth and health care access

A chart shows non-genital syphilis cases in Alaska have risen about 1,340% between 2017 and 2021, reflecting an enormous increase in cases nationwide. But Alaska is among the states with the highest rates of increase, with the third-highest rates of syphilis and chlamydia in 2020, the most recent year state-by-state comparisons are available. (Alaska Department of Health)
SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium opened a new physical rehabilitation clinic at the old Armory Log Cabin on Crest Street in the Mendenhall Valley. The new location replaced the old facility previously located in the basement portion of the Ethel Lund Medical Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

SEARHC opens new physical rehabilitation clinic

The new location at the Armory Log Cabin replaces the old clinic at Ethel Lund Medical Center

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium opened a new physical rehabilitation clinic at the old Armory Log Cabin on Crest Street in the Mendenhall Valley. The new location replaced the old facility previously located in the basement portion of the Ethel Lund Medical Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A totem pole stands outside Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, which is shutting down Wednesday after providing services for about 20 years due to lack of staff. The closure will affect 17 home health and two hospice patients, with program and city officials in discussions with Bartlett Regional Hospital and SEARHC about taking over services for such patients.

Hospice and Home Care of Juneau closing Wednesday

Program halting due to shortage and high cost of staff. Officials hope BRH, SEARHC can offer care.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A totem pole stands outside Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, which is shutting down Wednesday after providing services for about 20 years due to lack of staff. The closure will affect 17 home health and two hospice patients, with program and city officials in discussions with Bartlett Regional Hospital and SEARHC about taking over services for such patients.
High school students run at sunset as they practice for the track and field season Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Shawnee, Kan. New research hints that even simple exercise just might help fend off memory problems. While physical activity helps keep healthy brains fit, it's not clear how much it helps once memory starts to slide. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)

Even simple exercise may help aging brain, study hints

Doctors have long advised physical activity to help keep a healthy brain fit.

  • Aug 2, 2022
  • By Lauran Neergaard AP Medical Writer
  • Newshealth
High school students run at sunset as they practice for the track and field season Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Shawnee, Kan. New research hints that even simple exercise just might help fend off memory problems. While physical activity helps keep healthy brains fit, it's not clear how much it helps once memory starts to slide. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)
This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. The spread of monkeypox in the U.S. in 2022 could represent the dawn of a new sexually transmitted disease, or it could yet be contained. Or it might be too early to tell. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File)

Alaska reports 1st case of monkeypox

Anchorage resident had contact with someone who recently traveled outside of the state.

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. The spread of monkeypox in the U.S. in 2022 could represent the dawn of a new sexually transmitted disease, or it could yet be contained. Or it might be too early to tell. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File)
Donated blood is prepared for storage and eventual transport at the Blood Bank of Alaska's Juneau location. There is a statewide shortage of donated blood. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Blood Bank of Alaska says there’s a critical need for blood

Blood Bank of Alaska is currently in urgent need of all blood types

Donated blood is prepared for storage and eventual transport at the Blood Bank of Alaska's Juneau location. There is a statewide shortage of donated blood. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This combination image shows Ethel Lund Visionaries in Healthcare Scholarship recipients Delainey Steffe, Michael David Del Cesar, Gloria Eyon, Chariety Moler and Trinity Jackson. The scholarship offers funds to Southeast Alaska Native students pursuing studies in the health care field. (Courtesy Photos / Healing Hand Foundation)

Scholarship to help Southeast Alaska Native students help others

7 students earn Ethel Lund Visionaries in Healthcare Scholarships.

This combination image shows Ethel Lund Visionaries in Healthcare Scholarship recipients Delainey Steffe, Michael David Del Cesar, Gloria Eyon, Chariety Moler and Trinity Jackson. The scholarship offers funds to Southeast Alaska Native students pursuing studies in the health care field. (Courtesy Photos / Healing Hand Foundation)
Alaska Seaplanes assistant chief pilot Pat Ford helps Stuart Woodbury into one of the company’s aircraft during an event celebrating Seaplanes’ expansion of service to Wrangell on May 26, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Seaplanes Wrangells up a new route

The new route will streamline traveling for health care in the Southeast, SEARHC officials say.

Alaska Seaplanes assistant chief pilot Pat Ford helps Stuart Woodbury into one of the company’s aircraft during an event celebrating Seaplanes’ expansion of service to Wrangell on May 26, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Shawen Bueckers, left, meets the girl who she donated bone marrow to, Amelia Bellmore, at a Be the Match event at Brigham Young University in 2022. (Screenshot)

Child cancer survivor meets woman who saved her life

A bone marrow transplant from a woman hundreds of miles away helped this Juneau child survive.

Shawen Bueckers, left, meets the girl who she donated bone marrow to, Amelia Bellmore, at a Be the Match event at Brigham Young University in 2022. (Screenshot)
A Juneau resident receives a flu shot while getting a booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic and about half of those people also received a flu shot. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Experts urge flu shots ASAP

Jabs keep infections down and free up health care resources

A Juneau resident receives a flu shot while getting a booster shot for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Centennial Hall on Oct. 2, 2021. More than 1,300 Juneau residents received booster shots at the clinic and about half of those people also received a flu shot. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital, which was among the 20 facilities for which the state activated crisis standards of care on Saturday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

State activates crisis standards of care for 20 health care facilities, including Bartlett Regional Hospital

Surging COVID cases, strained resources in some hospitals cited as reason.

This photo shows Bartlett Regional Hospital, which was among the 20 facilities for which the state activated crisis standards of care on Saturday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Airlift Northwest flight nurse Diana Paul shows off some of the improved patient care features of the medevac organization’s new Learjet 45XR aircraft, recently arrived in Juneau for service around the Southeast, on Sept. 30, 2021.

Aid aloft: Medevac organization gets new aircraft

It’s not the cheapest way to travel but it may save your life.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Airlift Northwest flight nurse Diana Paul shows off some of the improved patient care features of the medevac organization’s new Learjet 45XR aircraft, recently arrived in Juneau for service around the Southeast, on Sept. 30, 2021.
Bartlett Regional Hospital

Hospital announces vaccine policy, resumes inpatient elective surgeries

The inpatient elective surgeries may be suspended if case counts continue to rise.

Bartlett Regional Hospital
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies may be a good treatment option for some people who test positive for the illness, according to state health officials. However, vaccination remains the best tool for limiting spread of COVID-19 and limiting hospitalizations. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)

Answering questions about antibody COVID treatment

Health officials say vaccination remains best option but treatment may help some.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies may be a good treatment option for some people who test positive for the illness, according to state health officials. However, vaccination remains the best tool for limiting spread of COVID-19 and limiting hospitalizations. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Alaska’s syphilis infection rate increases

State records 49% more cases in 2020

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
Justin Richardson, a pharmacy technician with Bartlett Regional Hospital, prepares the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Healthcare professionals are just one group of caregivers that the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition and the National Alliance on Mental Illness- Juneau hopes to recognize with the opportunity for members of the public to nominate anyone in any walk of life who’s gone above and beyond during the pandemic. (Courtesy photo / Katie Bausler)

Mental health groups hold Care for the Caregivers event

Nominess will be announced on Valentine’s Day

Justin Richardson, a pharmacy technician with Bartlett Regional Hospital, prepares the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Healthcare professionals are just one group of caregivers that the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition and the National Alliance on Mental Illness- Juneau hopes to recognize with the opportunity for members of the public to nominate anyone in any walk of life who’s gone above and beyond during the pandemic. (Courtesy photo / Katie Bausler)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Syphilis infections are surging in Alaska

A variety of forces are leading to the increased numbers.

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)

Going viral: Coronavirus means cruise line changes, but it’s not yet in Alaska

Here’s what you need to know about novel coronavirus.

People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)