Health
Latest IN HEALTH NEWS
Some families flee Kansas as gender-affirming care ban for minors takes effect
In January, all access to hormone treatments and other gender-affirming care for transgender youth will end in Kansas. Some families have already moved to avoid the ban.
MORe HEALTH NEWS
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health launches virus transmission indicator tool; county currently in Yellow phase
A new tool from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health officials hopes to offer simple guidance to community members and help people understand current levels of COVID-19 transmission.
Prescription for faulty communication in operating rooms: Be explicit, not polite, study shows
Research by a University of Kansas linguist and University of Missouri-Kansas City physicians pointed to the potential medical harm of ambiguous communication in operating rooms that also complicated the training of surgeons.
Abigail Censky / Kansas News Service
Who can tell you to wear a mask in Kansas as COVID surges? It’s complicated
As the delta variant pummels Kansas, there’s confusion about who has the authority to issue pandemic restrictions that could curb the spread of COVID.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kelly recommends mask policies, COVID testing and community partnerships for Kansas schools
New guidance Friday from Gov. Laura Kelly ahead of the start of classes recommends schools actively plan vaccination clinics, implement universal masking policies and create a robust testing plan for faculty and students.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Walk-ins welcome for COVID vaccines starting Monday at Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health
Anyone in need of a COVID-19 vaccine can get one without an appointment at Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health starting Monday, Aug. 2.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health: Masks encouraged indoors for everyone ages 2 and up; schools to mandate masks
Story updated at 5:07 p.m. Tuesday: Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health issued a news release encouraging locals ages 2 and older to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.
Kansas racial equity panel calls attention to early childhood, maternal health disparities
A Kansas racial equity panel report has pinpointed maternal and early childhood health, vaccine equity and Medicaid expansion among areas that could improve racial inequities in healthcare.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kansas governor: ‘We’re trying everything we can’ to get people vaccinated from COVID-19
Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday reaffirmed the state’s commitment to convincing the unvaccinated half of the state’s population to get a life-saving shot. Only 51.4% of eligible Kansans are fully vaccinated from COVID-19.
Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector
Attorney general to appeal emergency-power decision, warns of ‘legal anarchy’
The Kansas AG wants the state Supreme Court to consider overturning a ruling that struck down a law that granted students, parents and employees the opportunity to challenge public school district policy and reduced a governor’s authority during statewide emergencies.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district will mandate face masks for unvaccinated this fall
Lawrence public schools will require students and staff who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to mask up in August, but it will be based on an honor system rather than requiring proof of vaccination.
Chris Smith / Public Domain
COVID-19 surge: Unvaccinated frustrate Sebelius, socialist ‘lunacy’ irritates Colyer
Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius generated political blowback by comparing people rejecting COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals who brazenly threatened the health of others by driving while intoxicated or by fouling air in public spaces with cigarette smoke.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
KDHE report affirms education, income, race and gender influence health risks
The state’s newly released survey of public health revealed more than one-third of 18- to 24-year-old adults hadn’t undergone a cholesterol test in the past five years.
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
‘Never pay the first bill’ and other advice to battle a suspiciously high hospital bill
Legal experts say just because you received care doesn’t entitle a hospital to a bonkers high price. Still, fighting an unreasonable bill takes some work. Here’s how to do it.
Lawrence Times graphic
Moving average of COVID-19 cases in Douglas County ticks upward
Douglas County has confirmed 22 new cases of COVID-19 since Wednesday, and the county’s moving 14-day case average continued to tick upward as the United States deals with rising case totals due to the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.
Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3
Here are some of the Kansas hospitals refusing to publish their prices
Hospitals sued unsuccessfully to block the price transparency rule in court. The rule took effect […]


