Dept. of Public Health

Opioid Deaths Increase
Opioid Deaths Increase
Opioid Deaths Increase
Boston (AP) - A state report estimates that opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts rose for a sixth consecutive year and that fentanyl is playing a role in as many as three-quarters of the fatalities. The latest figures released Friday by the Department of Public Health show 1,465 confirmed unintentional overdose deaths in 2016, with another 469 to 562 suspected opioid-related deaths awai
Upgrading Oversight
Upgrading Oversight
Upgrading Oversight
Massachusetts health regulators are strengthening oversight of nursing homes by creating a unit to conduct unannounced inspections and promising to fine problem-plagued facilities. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel told The Boston Globe that consumers will also have access to a new online system to file complaints and find more detailed information about nursing homes...
Opioid Abuse Plan
Opioid Abuse Plan
Opioid Abuse Plan
Boston (AP) - Gov. Charlie Baker is asking state lawmakers for nearly $28 million in additional spending to help stem a spike in the number of opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts. The request will be included in a separate appropriations bill Baker plans to file Friday after signing the new $38...
Teen Pregnancy Rate Down
Teen Pregnancy Rate Down
Teen Pregnancy Rate Down
The birth rate among teens in Massachusetts has fallen to its lowest rate since records were kept. That's according to the latest birth report released Friday by the state Department of Public Health. The statistics, for 2013, show 12 births per 1,000 women between the ages of 15-19, down from 14 births per 1,000 women in that age bracket the previous year...
Medical Marijuana
The Mass. Dept of Public Health has approved  four more Registered Marijuana Dispensaries in counties that were not represented in the initial group of dispensaries approved earlier this year. The four new proposals include two in Bristol County: Coastal Compassion, Inc in Fairhaven and Mass Medicum Corp...
West Nile Case Reported
Massachusetts health officials are reporting the state's first human case of West Nile Virus this year. The patient is described only as a man in his 60s who lives in Middlesex County. Officials say the man remains hospitalized, but is recovering...
EEE Found In Mass.
EEE Found In Mass.
EEE Found In Mass.
Massachusetts public health officials say the Eastern equine encephalitis virus has been found in the state for the first time this summer. The Department of Public Health said Friday that the mosquito sample was collected Tuesday in Bridgewater...
Application Process Under Fire
Application Process Under Fire
Application Process Under Fire
Gov. Deval Patrick says he does not believe the process of selecting medical marijuana dispensaries should start again from scratch.       Patrick told reporters on Monday that none of the 20 applicants approved so far have been granted licenses to operate dispensaries and won't be until they verify all the information they provided in their applications...
Twenty Medical Marijuana Licenses Awarded
Twenty Medical Marijuana Licenses Awarded
Twenty Medical Marijuana Licenses Awarded
State public health officials have approved the first 20 licenses to operate medical marijuana dispensaries, the first in Massachusetts under a voter-approved law. The announcement was made Friday by the state Public Health Department, which had been reviewing applications from 100 finalists seeking to operate the dispensaries...
DPH Names Director Of Medical Marijuana Program
DPH Names Director Of Medical Marijuana Program
DPH Names Director Of Medical Marijuana Program
The administrator of community health care programs has been selected to lead the state's medical marijuana program. The state Department of Public Health this week named Karen van Unen executive director of the program. Officials say Van Unen was selected for her extensive experience in public health, nonprofit management and patient access...

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