Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FILE: A woman uses her vaping device in Harmony, Pa, Oct. 4, 2019.

Health

Utah youth vaping is down, but state reporting changes could skew future insights

Elle Crossley

Utah parents must now opt-in for students to participate in the survey used to collect this data, which could leave holes in future reporting. Regardless, tobacco prevention initiatives in the state are still working to see the declining trend continue.

Garfield Memorial Hospital sees patients across Garfield County, which has just over 5,000 residents.

Health

Urban-rural health disparities are widening, but in Utah, access remains the challenge

Tilda Wilson

Nationally, the CDC is seeing a widening gap in mortality rates between urban and rural communities.

A variety of flavored vapes on the shelves at a Salt Lake City vape shop, Nov. 8, 2023

Health

Utah has made a big dent in teen vaping in the last 4 years

Sean Higgins

State health officials largely credit marketing campaigns and more conversations about the risks associated with vaping for the decline.

Respiratory syncytial virus season in Utah typically runs from December through March. While the virus causes cold-like symptoms in most people, it can be a serious illness for newborns.

Health

Utah hospitals see new RSV drug as a game changer for families and children this year

Ciara Hulet

Dr. Andy Pavia says the tripledemic of RSV, flu and COVID-19 could look very different at Primary Children's Hospital. Last year they had to reschedule surgeries and make kids wait for beds.

Business & Economy

In-N-Out bans employees from wearing masks in Utah and 4 other states

Associated Press

The policy, which goes into effect August 14, applies to all In-N-Out employees in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, except for those who need to wear masks or other protective gear for job duties like working in the patty room or painting.

Black Physicians of Utah, University of Utah panel on maternal mortality, Feb. 28, 2023

Race, Religion & Social Justice

Access to midwives and doulas could reduce the maternal mortality of Black women

Kristine Weller

Black Physicians of Utah hosted a panel to discuss the high rate of maternal mortality in women of color, specifically Black women. One Black mother who nearly lost her life also shared her story.

RSV presents with cold-like symptoms like a cough or runny nose and can be particularly severe for children under the age of 2 and people over 75. There is currently no RSV vaccine.

Health

Utah is still experiencing an RSV and flu surge

Sean Higgins

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say respiratory diseases like RSV and the flu are much more prevalent right now than this time last year.

The place where the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers meet on the floor of the Grand Canyon is known as the Confluence. Many see it as holy ground; others see it as an opportunity for economic development.

Science & Environment

Raft trips hit hard by the Grand Canyon’s largest recorded norovirus outbreak, CDC reports

Luke Runyon

This past spring, Grand Canyon National Park became the site of an extended norovirus outbreak, with more than 200 cases of gastrointestinal illness among rafters and backpackers.

Education

The majority of Utah health teachers want help teaching sexuality and mental health

Martha Harris

A new CDC report said 72.1% of Utah educators want professional development regarding human sexuality and 73% also want help with teaching emotional/mental health. The report is based on surveys from 2020.