Public Health New Mexcio

New data confirms what New Mexico abortion providers already know too well – the number of abortions performed here has more than tripled since Roe v. Wade was overturned and neighboring states enacted abortion bans. Providers in the state are staffing up to meet the need.

Most deaths related to substance use disorder among pregnant people in New Mexico happen between 6 weeks and a year after delivery. Still, much of the care for pregnant people at risk takes place while they’re at the hospital.Several University of New Mexico health care providers told the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee Monday that extending care through a longer window and to more family members will likely help prevent these deaths.

When we think of damage caused by wildfire smoke, our minds normally go just to our lungs, but a new study from the University of New Mexico says our brains are also at risk.UNM College of Pharmacy Professor Matthew Campen said that when the smoke gets into the lungs, it can enter our blood and move to our brains.

Santa Fe voters will decide in November whether to instate a “mansion tax” or extra tax on buyers of houses over $1 million. Dozens of residents turned out ahead of a city council vote on the proposal Tuesday, and most voiced frustration with the high cost of housing in the city.

The nonprofit New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence is expanding a team dedicated to bringing a different approach to addressing domestic violence.The organization started its Coordinated Community Response team last year, which calls for advocates to work with agencies and other professionals in response to domestic violence. Those can include law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, social workers and behavioral health professionals.

The lightning-caused Black Feather Fire 44 miles north of Santa Fe is still burning on just over 2,000 acres. While the area didn’t get as much rain over the weekend as officials had anticipated, it still got enough to keep the fire from spreading further.

An oil company with wells in both New Mexico and Texas has agreed to pay a $5.5 million penalty to the U.S. and New Mexico in a settlement over violations to the Clean Air Act and New Mexico state law. The company is also on the hook for $4.6 million in projects to reduce air pollution.State officials worry a lack of personnel could keep them from assuring the company complies.

As the heatwave continues in New Mexico, Albuquerque officials are reminding pet owners to keep animals cool and preferably indoors at the hottest times of day.

Millions of dollars are coming to New Mexico for water projects through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2022, but not everyone who needs it has the knowledge or time required to apply.The University of New Mexico announced it will receive $4 million to help underserved communities in the state navigate the process.

During the COVID pandemic, Congress required that Medicaid keep people continuously enrolled throughout the public health emergency order. But that order has ended and now nearly 60,000 New Mexicans have lost their health insurance. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss how this unwinding process will impact health outcomes.