Alaska has made great strides in reducing tobacco use over the years, but to this day, tobacco is still the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Alaska and across the nation. Approximately 600 Alaskans die every year from direct tobacco use; this is more than deaths from suicide, motor vehicle crashes, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, homicide, HIV/AIDS and influenza combined. Among Alaska Native people, more than 1 in 3 adults (38 percent) are current smokers and ...

Each day, more than 3,200 people younger than 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette and the tobacco industry is using old marketing tactics for new products. Evidence indicates that the more young people are exposed to cigarette advertising and promotional activities, the more likely they are to smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), commonly known as e-cigarettes, are some of the newer products on ...

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new regulations that extend its authority to include new products that meet the definition of “tobacco products.” The new regulations now include the sales and health evaluation of e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah, among others. More information on the new regulations can be found in this article from the FDA: “Extending Authorities to All Tobacco Products, Including E-Cigarettes, Cigars, and Hookah”. These new regulations go into effect on August 8, 2016. ...

March 12-18 marked Patient Safety Awareness Week, an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). ANMC’s Quality Department worked to create awareness on campus by utilizing NPSF educational resources to educate hospital staff and patients. This year’s theme was “United for Patient Safety: Every Day is Patient Safety Day.” The focus of the campaign is to highlight and reinforce that everyone within the health care system has a role to ...

The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation will host the 12th annual Raven’s Ball on Saturday, March 23 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Regarded as one of Alaska’s most elegant black-tie celebrations and vibrant fundraising events, this year’s event continues the tradition of philanthropy to benefit the Foundation. The three key initiatives of the Foundation are: improving medical care, strengthening wellness and prevention efforts, and promoting healthy village environments. An annual highlight of the event is the presentation of the ...

When we’re making a quick trip to the store. Helmets on. When we’re going to bring our auntie some smoked salmon. Helmets on. When we’re scouting a caribou herd for the fall harvest. Helmets on. In Alaska, we use many types of transportation for all kinds of reasons and many of us rely on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or four-wheelers, to get from point A to point B. When traveling anywhere, anytime, everyone should wear a helmet – even if it’s ...