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State leaders roll out a 'massive' public-private program to stem the opioid epidemic

State leaders roll out a 'massive' public-private program to stem the opioid epidemic

As Florida grapples with nearly 2,000 overdose deaths so far this year, state leaders on Wednesday announced a “massive” effort to address opioid addiction in counties that need it most. The initiative, which includes Florida’s first statewide director of opioid recovery, is based on a pilot treatment program in Palm Beach County that state health officials touted as a success. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida ranks 35th in the nation for child well-being, says Kids Count report

For the third year in a row, Florida ranks 35th in the nation for children's well-being, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report examines challenges that kids and families face across the nation and compared how states did between 2016 and 2020, with the years following the 2008 recession. It found that although Florida has made improvements in recent years when it comes to families living in poverty, it hasn’t kept pace with other parts of the country. [Source: Health News Florida]

Floridians are smoking less, and it's affecting tobacco settlement revenues

Florida likely will see lower-than-expected revenues from a landmark settlement with the tobacco industry because fewer people are smoking or smokers are cutting back. State economists on Friday released a report that lowered projected payments over the next decade from the 1997 settlement. “Overall, expected payments have been lowered largely because of the changes in the long-term view of cigarette usage,” the report said. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Nurses sue Florida hospital alleging they were not warned of active shooter drill, and thought it was real

Two nurses are suing AdventHealth Ocala, alleging that an unannounced active shooter drill last year left them terrorized and traumatized. Lauren Palazini and Dominique Tucker each seek more than $30,000 in damages. Through their attorney, Patrick M. Hale of Hale Law in Sarasota, the women accuse AdventHealth Ocala of assault, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. [Source: WOFL]

Abortion funds, including those in Florida, see surge in donations after overturning of Roe v. Wade

Even before some states like Florida enacted laws to restrict or limit access to abortion, many people couldn’t afford one. Federal funds, through programs like Medicaid, cannot be used to pay for the medical procedure. Abortion funds focus on providing people with money to pay for abortions, as well as help with logistics like travel and childcare. [Source: WUSF]

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Experts discuss the biggest health care issues facing students returning to the classroom or the college campus. They weigh in on physical, mental, sexual and dietary health care considerations with their best tips for making informed decisions for your students.

› BayCare names Philadelphia health care executive as new CEO
BayCare Health System on Friday named Stephanie D. Conners as its chief executive officer. Conners, 50, began her health care career as a nurse. She currently serves as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Jefferson Health, a Philadelphia nonprofit health care system. She is expected to join BayCare in October.

› Health care outreach in Immokalee continues beyond COVID-19
A street team of health Promotoras, or promoters, is continuing to go door-to-door providing healthcare outreach in Immokalee. Katie Bollbach is the Executive Director of Partners In Health, or PIH, in the United States. The nonprofit provides healthcare in the poorest areas of developing countries. It began its work in Haiti, and over the last 30 years has grown to work in 12 countries.

› Mayo Clinic Jacksonville starts work on $233 million oncology building
Site work has begun on the $233 million Mayo Clinic integrated oncology building in Jacksonville that will include proton beam and carbon ion therapy. Construction will follow on the building for completion in early 2025. The city is reviewing a construction permit for the almost $76.3 million foundation and shell of the building on the Mayo Clinic Florida campus.