Health

Weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota leads to physical and mental health concerns

Many Americans, including adults and children in South Dakota, have gained weight since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that has healthcare experts worried about the potential for long-term negative physical and mental health implications. The extended stress experienced since early 2020 is seriously affecting mental and physical health,

Nursing shortage worsens in South Dakota at a time when COVID-19 is reemerging

At a time when they are needed most, South Dakota is facing a shortage of nurses that healthcare professionals worry could negatively affect patient care at hospitals across the state. The nursing shortage has been ongoing for years but worsened during the pandemic. High stress, long hours and fear of

Alcohol and tobacco sales soared in South Dakota during COVID-19 pandemic

South Dakotans bought far more alcohol and tobacco than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some healthcare professionals are concerned that residents who consumed more of the unhealthy products could suffer long-term physical and mental health consequences. Health experts say the pandemic brought on social isolation, job loss, grief and

Halt to abortions in South Dakota during pandemic led women to get procedure in other states

A temporary halt to abortions in 2020 at the only clinic in South Dakota where the procedures take place led to a big drop in abortions performed in the state last year, but it did not prevent women who wanted to terminate their pregnancies from doing so elsewhere. During the

For now, masks and vaccines optional in South Dakota back-to-school plans

Back-to-school plans for this fall are taking shape in South Dakota and — so far, at least — it looks like most teaching will take place in person and masks and COVID-19 vaccinations will be optional for students, teachers and staff. But safety protocols could change quickly as public school officials keep

South Dakota struggles to provide summer teaching to help students catch up after COVID-19

South Dakota public school systems are trying to provide additional education to thousands of students who lost ground in learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, but educators and parents face major challenges in trying to keep students on track. Almost half of South Dakota School districts, many in rural areas, do

Spike in suicides in South Dakota causing fears of emerging mental-health crisis

A significant spike in the number of suicides in South Dakota in the first three months of 2021 has put the state on pace for a record year for suicide deaths and has prevention experts worried that a long-range mental-health crisis may be emerging. New data from the state Department