public health

Oregon voters in 2020 passed Measure 110, a first-in-the-nation law decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of controlled substances such as heroin, methamphetamines, cocaine and fentanyl. Three years later, public drug use has wearied even the most tolerant of Oregonians. Now, the Oregon law faces significant overhaul or repeal, a prospect likely to slow movements in other states to treat addiction as a public health issue.

So far, no humans have tested positive for St. Louis encephalitis.

In mid-July, Jackson County medical examiners identified ten drug overdose deaths in just five days . They believe nine of those deaths were related to the powerful opioid fentanyl.

Democratic lawmakers say that months of work on health care legislation could unravel after a group of senators announced Tuesday they’ll deny the chamber a quorum until the session’s last day.

A new audit, released Thursday, finds California is missing opportunities to learn more about LGBTQ+ health in the state.

Several dozen cases are slowly moving through the appeals process and a few have been sent to collections.

The suicide rate in Lane County is 65-percent greater than the national average. That’s according to a report released Tuesday by Lane County Public Health.

For the third time in as many years, health officials are worried about holiday gatherings. But this year—it’s more than COVID-19 driving concern. Other respiratory illnesses, including RSV, are at historically high levels, prompting the call for a return to indoor masking.

Homeless people often have sporadic or no access to health care, resulting in costly, chronic conditions. A new statewide effort encourages Medi-Cal insurers to partner with street teams to improve care.

Emergency rooms across the state are overflowing and in some cases worried parents are seeking hospital-level care when it’s not needed. But there may be relief on the horizon.

Native tribes in the Columbia River Basin face a disproportionate risk of toxic exposure through their most important food. For decades, the U.S. government has failed to test for dangerous chemicals and metals in fish. So, we did. What we found was alarming for tribes.

Health officials are concerned about three different respiratory viruses this season: COVID-19, RSV and influenza.