LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas has some of the highest levels of tick-related illnesses of any state in the nation and we are expecting another big year. In 2012, over 900 cases of tick-related illness were reported to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Five of these cases resulted in death. Cases were found in 63 counties, with illnesses occurring every month of the year but peaking in June. Because many of these illnesses go unreported, the actual number of persons sick from tick-related illness is much higher.

According to Susan Weinstein, DVM, MPH, Zoonotic Disease Section Chief at ADH, “Tick-related illnesses are serious and can be deadly if not treated properly. It is very important that people realize the seriousness of the infections that some ticks can carry, and to see their doctor if ill. Thankfully, we can prevent many of these infections if we become aware of the risks and take some simple precautions.”

Pulaski Technical College recently received approval for its Anesthesia Technology program from the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT).

 This approval allows students in the program to take the Anesthesia Technologist Certification Exam, which they must successfully pass before they can work as anesthesia technologists.

 Pulaski Tech offers the program in partnership with Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Anesthesia technologists have traditionally been trained on-the-job, but in order to be certified, they must now have a college degree. At Pulaski Tech, anesthesia technology is one of six options offered through the Associate of Applied Science in Allied Health. The degree requires 61 credit hours that include classroom work and on-site clinicals.

Health Status of African-Americans Detailed in  UAMS College of Public Health Report

LITTLE ROCK – Mortality rates of African-Americans were significantly higher than those of Caucasians for most cancers, HIV and homicide, but lower for motor vehicle crashes and suicide, according to a recent report compiled by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health.

That’s just one of many findings detailed in a joint study focusing on the health status of African-Americans in Arkansas compiled by UAMS and supported by the Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC), the Arkansas Center for Health Disparities and the Arkansas Prevention Research Center. The full report can be found here: www.uams.edu/coph/reports/ or www.arminorityhealth.com/reports_updates.html.