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Happy Monday, Colorado!
I’m off this week touring our beautiful state, but before I left I made sure to round up the most important health news. So don’t worry, I have a full newsletter for you!
Planned Parenthood leaves federal Title X federal family planning program
Planned Parenthood is pulling out of the Title X federal grant program over the so-called abortion “gag rule,” which prohibits clinics that accept the money from referring women for abortions.
The move will have little impact in Colorado, but now clinics in other states are considering charging new fees and using reserves to maintain services. The exit comes as other organizations also have dropped out of the program, including the Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center.
The withdrawal is reminiscent of what happened to Planned Parenthood’s Colorado affiliate 20 years ago. At that time, then-Gov. Bill Owens cut state family planning money going to abortion providers. This “forced” Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains out of public funding programs in the state, according to Vicki Cowart, chief executive officer and president.
Read more here.
Health must-reads:
- Three months after Denver voters decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms, there are no signs yet of broader public health effects — but therapists are here to deal with traumatic trips.
- A soil sample taken near the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge has elevated levels of plutonium that are more than five times the cleanup standard for the radioactive substance at the former nuclear weapons plant. State health officials were notified about the sample earlier this month.
- Concerns about pneumonic plague will prevent concertgoers from camping during the three days of Phish concerts at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park over Labor Day weekend.
- Concerns about measles outbreaks reemerge as schools start back — especially in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts, where only 88% and 91% of students are vaccinated for measles. Statewide, Colorado misses the threshold needed for “herd immunity,” which a population needs to be protected from a measles outbreak.
- A lawmaker will become the first Colorado state senator to give birth in office and during a legislative session, making her a guinea pig for what maternity will become in the state legislature.
Colorado’s first case of vaping-related lung illness
State health officials have confirmed that at least one person in Colorado has a severe mystery lung illness that has been linked to e-cigarette products in more than a dozen other states. They are also investigating three potential cases of the illness.
Nationally, federal health officials are investigating more than 150 cases of pulmonary illnesses among young adults and teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health officials are unsure about what is causing the illnesses but have said they appear to be linked to the use of e-cigarette products.
Read more here.
Here’s what I’m reading
- A Miami entrepreneur had a “secret sauce” to save rural hospitals, but . — Kaiser Health News
- Some people have discovered that their biological fathers aren’t sperm donors, but . — The New York Times
- Researchers are looking into how , including as it relates to depression and suicide. — NPR
- Federal authorities in U.S. custody despite approaching influenza season. — USA Today
- The White House is considering a project proposal centered on — The Washington Post
Have a story tip or other feedback? Email me at jseaman@denverpost.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at And don’t forget to become a to The Post!
See you in two weeks!
Jessica
