Health

South Dakota veteran denied benefits after exposure to toxic burn pits

WEBSTER, S.D. – When President Joe Biden mentioned the term “burn pits” while discussing health benefits for military veterans during his State of the Union address March 1, many Americans heard of the issue for the first time. Congress is crafting legislation to assist post-9/11 combat veterans exposed to

Rising anger and violence toward healthcare workers hampering patient care in SD

Increasing anger and even violence toward healthcare workers in South Dakota and across the U.S. is adding great stress on practitioners who are already enduring the pain and hardship of providing care during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers in South Dakota have been called offensive names, faced threats

Child hospitalizations, Long-COVID concerns rise amid omicron surge in South Dakota

As COVID-19 infections sweep across South Dakota in record numbers, concerns are rising that children and adolescents are suffering more severe illness than before and may be susceptible to symptoms that can afflict them long into their lifetimes. A growing body of medical research and reports from pediatricians in South

Many South Dakota parents hesitant to get children vaccinated against COVID-19

Compared to other Great Plains states, South Dakota is off to a slow start in getting children ages 5-11 vaccinated against the coronavirus. With child vaccines available for nearly a month, so far only about one in 20 eligible South Dakota children aged 5-11 has received a dose of the

Labor shortage and COVID-19 costs causing crisis in South Dakota's long-term care industry

Finding a safe, affordable and accessible nursing home or assisted-living center for sick or elderly South Dakotans has become more difficult in recent years but is getting harder than ever due to a shortage of facility workers and financial losses suffered amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The labor shortage affecting businesses

COVID-19 on Campus: One student’s personal perspective

After a year and a half of attending college during unprecedented times, it has been welcome to return to a more normal school year at South Dakota State University. From fully in-person instruction, to full capacity events such as football games and student organization events, to unrestricted access to dining

College life in South Dakota appears normal, but COVID concerns still simmer

College campuses across South Dakota have a mostly back-to-normal feel so far this academic year, but the COVID-19 pandemic remains a top concern for many students, faculty and staff. University leaders want students to experience a typical collegiate year with indoor and outdoor pep rallies, sporting events and group study