Browse Stories in Health & Environment

Opinion: Texas cannot afford to miss the Affordable Care Act

Written by deborah.charnes... on Aug 20, 2012

The Governor and legislative leaders who take a ‘no’ position on implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Texas lack compassion, ignore objective facts, and perpetuate injustice.

Compassion: Texas already has one of the most stringent Medicaid programs in the country, yet in 2010, the 82nd Legislative Session leaders further cut and underfunded Medicaid. These shortsighted decisions heighten our national decade-old standing as the state with the most uninsured and underinsured population in the country.

Do you have unwanted items taking up space in your home?

Written by ashley@mmhome.org on Aug 20, 2012

Do you have unwanted items taking up space in your home? If you do, GREAT NEWS: Methodist Mission Home will gladly accept them. Donate your items to the 4th Annual Methodist Mission Home Rummage Sale, October 12-13. Proceeds from the sale will benefit MMH programs: Adoption Services and SCHI, a program for young adults with disabilities.

Map: Back-to-school events and shots for kids

Written by Heather DiMasi on Aug 07, 2012

UPDATED JULY 2012: Check out this map of back-to-school events, including free backpacks and school supplies, free immunization shots and health fairs and clinics.

Click on the map below to get details, dates and locations. And please help: If you know about an event that isn't listed, add it to the map by submitting a report or emailing it to news@nowcastsa.org.

Going Green in Mexico

Written by deborah.charnes... on Aug 06, 2012

Back when I was young, I remember pretty much the only time you were given a bag or paper wrapping when you bought something in Mexico was if you purchased feminine hygiene products. I used to kid that the wrapping around your purchase was a dead giveaway that it was that time of the month. When we went to the market, we brought our own sturdy reusable bags made out of either ixtli or plastic, and for smaller purchases, it wasn’t a problem to carry them in our hands until we got home.

Protecting our children: Food allergies at school

Written by deborah.charnes... on Aug 06, 2012

A recent study found that one in 13 children in America suffer from food allergies. Unlike other childhood medical conditions, there is no cure for food allergies and they can linger an entire lifetime.

What makes food allergies even more challenging is that trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a reaction. Most are caused by ingestion, but some are due to contact or inhalation, such as cooking fumes or peanut dust.