The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently awarded more than $3.5 million to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to lead a five-year statewide effort to improve the rate of colorectal cancer screening in the state.
Arkansas ranks fifth nationally for overall cancer mortality and sixth nationally for colorectal cancer mortality, making colorectal cancer screening a major public health concern statewide.
Eligible Lawrence County residents will be able to receive at-home visits for prenatal and postpartum care
By:Tess Vrbin-January 20, 2026 Arkansas Advocate
A northeast Arkansas hospital system announced it’s continuing to expand access to a program for pregnant patients on Medicaid, an effort to close the maternal health gap in the region.
By: Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News January 22, 2026 Louisiana Illuminator
After a year of ongoing measles outbreaks that have sickened more than 2,400 people, the United States is poised to lose its status as a measles-free country. However, the newly appointed principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ralph Abraham, said he was unbothered by the prospect at a briefing for journalists this week.
Baptist Health Foundation announced the appointment of four new members to its board of trustees for 2026: Ted Garrison, Wes Martin, SaraCate Moery, and Ross Owyoung.
Ted Garrison is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and serves as a senior project manager at CDI Contractors. Garrison is involved with Baptist Health Foundation, serving on the Bolo Bash Golf Tournament Committee, and also dedicates his time to the Saline County Career & Technical Campus Advisory Board.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) Institute for Digital Health & Innovation has received a five-year, $3,183,174 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create a program in Little Rock schools to help students learn better communication skills, including conflict resolution, relationship building and critical decision-making.
