COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA announced that department officials requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allow for greater flexibilities in order to expand access to infant formula for families amidst the national formula shortage. “We recognize that many… Continue reading Ohio Department of Health, WIC Aids Families During Formula Shortage

Newly released County Health Rankings spotlights connection between income and health Newly released data from County Health Rankings show that Black Ohioans have the lowest median household income among groups of Ohioans and have, by far, the highest rate of premature death (years of potential life lost before age 75, which reflects the burden of… Continue reading Connection Between Income and Health in Ohio Communities

State to decertify recipients much faster than federal guidelines require Original article published by Marty Schladen | Ohio Capital Journal Ohioans are no doubt greatly relieved that the coronavirus pandemic appears to be winding down — and taking with it the sickness, death and inconvenience of the past two years. But as it does, thousands… Continue reading As pandemic ebbs, fears grow that Ohioans will be improperly forced off of Medicaid

Brady Smalley, a 14-year-old with autism, lives by his dry-erase calendar. He takes comfort in the certainty of dates and planned outings. Now, because of coronavirus precautions, the squares are empty, and his mom, Sarah Smalley, can’t do much to fill them. “Once he saw everything being erased, we had some tears,” Smalley said. “He’s… Continue reading ‘We made it through today’: Coronavirus adds to issues for those with developmental disabilities

Original article by Aubrey Wright in The Columbus Dispatch Cara Pritchett lights up when she talks about family members who have helped her navigate life with cerebral palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The oldest of four siblings, Pritchett, 25, of Upper Arlington, said she was diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy shortly after she being born. The congenital disorder caused her to lose function… Continue reading ‘The pandemic has not been very good to me’: People With Disabilities Feel Forgotten

Ohio will spend millions of dollars to create or expand health care clinics inside schools, including some in Northeast Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday. Thirteen school districts across Cleveland, Akron and Canton will be home to new or expanded health centers that will provide care to students during the school day, DeWine’s office said… Continue reading Northeast Ohio Schools Expand Health Clinics After Gov. DeWine Announces $25.9 Million in Funding

New federal data released last week found life expectancy in Ohio is worse than 41 other states and is the lowest-ranked of the top 10 most populated U.S. states (Read more below: “Ohio’s life expectancy among the worst in U.S.,” Axios-Columbus, Feb 17). The average life expectancy at birth in Ohio is 76.9, according to… Continue reading Ohio’s Life Expectancy Ranks Near Bottom in U.S.

The Biden administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get lost in the transition. Before the public health crisis, states regularly reviewed whether people still qualified for… Continue reading Why Millions on Medicaid Are at Risk of Losing Coverage in the Months Ahead

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new fact sheet that outlines actions that individuals and community groups can take to support the health and well-being of Ohioans of color. “Every Ohioan benefits when Ohio is healthy and economically vibrant,” the fact sheet states. “Though all Ohioans deserve the opportunity to be healthy, stark differences… Continue reading New HPIO Fact Sheet Highlights Opportunities to Support Health, Well-Being of Ohioans of Color