Health director's priorities: end overdose deaths
Rhode Island Department of Health director Dr. Michael Fine says Rhode Island must address prescription drug abuse. Fine’s comments come as part of a list of priorities he’s shared with...
View ArticleFine on flu vaccination: "We can do better"
While flu season is technically still here, Rhode Island’s Department of Health has lifted its declaration of “widespread” flu. More on the state’s response to a tough season.Department of health head...
View ArticleFlu Vaccine Less Effective but Still Urged for Seniors
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates this year’s flu vaccine was effective about fifty percent of the time. But the vaccine was much less protective for older adults.The CDC found that...
View ArticleStudy: Rhode Island Has Too Many Hospital Beds
Rhode Island could do with the equivalent of one fewer hospital. That’s the conclusion of a draft report meant to guide the state’s health care planning.
View ArticleAS220 Spotlights Health Care in Rhode Island
AS220, the downtown arts organization, and the Roots Cafe are hosting three public panel discussions about health care in Rhode Island. And one of them features someone you might know from such...
View ArticleFighting Prescription Drug Abuse, One Log In At a Time
For Rhode Islanders between 15 and 44 years old, the leading cause of death is accidental drug overdose, usually involving prescription painkillers. State health leaders are calling it an epidemic....
View ArticleThe Doctor Is In...Central Falls
Last night I attended one of what could be the first of 39 more public forums, put on by the state's health department, around Rhode Island. And it wasn't what I thought it would be.
View ArticleLandmark's New Owner Must Use Rx Monitoring Program, Invest In Primary Care
California-based Prime Healthcare Services won approval earlier this week to buy Woonsocket’s Landmark Medical Center. But the approval came with conditions. One is that the company keep Rhode Island...
View ArticleKilmartin, Fine Urge United Healthcare To Reinstate Doctors
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and Health Department director Michael Fine have sent a letter to the CEO of United Healthcare New England expressing their concern over the insurer’s...
View ArticleReducing Overtreatment, Overtesting, And Overdiagnosis
I had a chance to speak to Department of Health director Dr. Michael Fine this morning as he traveled to a conference in Boston. The gathering, put on by the Lown Institute, is "From Avoidable Care to...
View ArticleState Lawmakers: Close Gaps In Rx Monitoring Program
State lawmakers are looking at ways to strengthen Rhode Island’s prescription drug monitoring program. They say there are too many gaps in the current system that allow people to abuse prescription drugs.
View ArticleTo Flu Shot, Or Not To Flu Shot?
It’s flu season already and that means you’ll be reminded to get a flu vaccine at seemingly every turn.Should you listen? Is this year any different?Rhode Island Public Radio’s health care reporter...
View ArticleRI Launches New Programs To Treat Addicts, Prevent Overdoses
State leaders have announced some new steps in the fight against prescription painkiller and heroin addiction. The news accompanies the release of the latest grim numbers of drug overdose deaths....
View ArticleEbola In RI? Not Likely. But We're Ready Anway.
Rhode Island health department officials do not expect to see any Ebola cases in the state. But they’re preparing anyway.Rhode Island’s health department director Dr. Michael Fine says his agency knows...
View ArticleTo Stop Overdose Deaths, RI Tracks Painkiller Prescriptions
Rhode Island’s health department has started tracking the number of prescriptions written for opioid painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin. Agency head Dr. Michael Fine says that’s because those drugs...
View ArticleHealth Dept. Ad Campaign Features Rhode Islanders In Recovery
Rhode Island health officials have rolled out a new campaign against drug addiction. The campaign debuts as the state faces more grim statistics: 232 Rhode Islanders died from apparent accidental drug...
View ArticleAlexander-Scott Nominated To Lead Health Dept.
Gov. Gina Raimondo has nominated a new leader for the state Dept. of Health.Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott is currently Consultant Medical Director for the state health department’s division of infectious...
View ArticleInterview: Dr. Michael Fine On Four Years Helming Health Dept.
Dr. Michael Fine has led the state’s department of health since 2001. Friday marks his last day at the agency. He came to our studios this week to look back on his accomplishments, and offer some...
View ArticleNew "Neighborhood Health Station" For Central Falls
Central Falls' community health center is at capacity, officials say, in its current building. Now, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care has acquired a three-story medical building from Memorial...
View ArticleInterview: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott Takes Reins At Health Dept.
Rhode Island is facing a litany of serious health issues – from a rising number of overdose deaths to a spike in sexually transmitted infections. It’s up to the new director of the state’s health...
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