Latest news with #SpencerJ.Cox
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Cox declares May 7 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Governor Spencer Cox has declared May 7 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, seeking to focus on education, early intervention, increasing access to care, and reducing barriers to service. 'Mental health challenges don't discriminate—they can impact anyone, including our children and teens,' said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox. 'We must continue to shine a light on the importance of mental health and recognize the struggles many young people face. By coming together as a community, we can offer meaningful support and strengthen Utah's younger generations.' How to protect your teeth after the fluoridation ban: DHHS offers tips The declaration comes in partnership with the Children's Center Utah, an organization that focuses on 'providing trauma-informed, evidence-based mental care exclusively to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents and caregivers.' This marks the fourth time that the state has recognized a day in May, which is nationally recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, to elevate the importance of children's mental health. 'Mental health is foundational to a child's development, yet it's often overlooked,' said The Children's Center Utah president and CEO Rebecca Dutson. The declaration refers to research conducted by The Children's Center Utah and the Kem. C Gardner Policy Institute that found rates of untreated mental health needs for Utah children are among the highest in the U.S. The research also found nearly 50% of Utah adults with a mental health condition are not receiving treatment, urging the importance of recognition and awareness. Additionally, in Utah, suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10 to 17. In April 2024, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that 72% of U.S. counties lack a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist, highlighting the need for care nationwide. 'In Utah, we have the opportunity to lead by example. When we invest in our children's mental health, we're building stronger families, schools, and communities for generations to come,' Dutson said. Childrens-Mental-Health-Awareness-Declaration-253858Download Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah leads the nation in economic outlook for 18th straight year, report
SALT LAKE CITY () — Utah continues to position itself as a leader in the nation when it comes to its economic outlook. For the 18th year straight, Utah ranked at the top of the nation for the economic outlook in the published by the . The study weighed 15 variables including tax rates, expenditures, minimum wage, and tax burdens, among others. Utah beat out other states such as Tennessee, Indiana, North Carolina, and North Dakota, which rounded out the Top 5 in that order. Utah State officials said Tuesday that the nearly two-decade run at the top of the study has not been by chance but by choice. A new home for jazz and dining is opening in downtown Salt Lake City 'Utah proves what's possible when people are empowered to build,' said Gov. Spencer J. Cox. 'This ranking reflects what happens when we trust Utahns to lead, solve problems, and shape their own future. By keeping government limited and focused on the essentials, we've created the freedom and opportunity for prosperity to take root and grow.' Utah lawmakers said the state has created an environment where businesses, jobs, and families can thrive. Speaker Mike Schultz said the state's continued success is a product of focus on 'the fundamentals' such as low taxes, spending, and family-friendly, business-friendly policies. Jonathan Williams, the ALEC President and co-author of Rich States, Poor States, said since 2007 when the report began, he has seen states fall behind by standing still. He said those states that don't continue to make their policy environment more competitive have not held their positions. 'This has not been the case in Utah, where leaders have continued to find improvements, and the state has remained at the top of our economic outlook rankings,' said Williams. While the forward-looking outlook has consistently ranked top of the nation, the Rich States, Poor States report is not as favorable on Utah's Economic Performance rank. The performance rank is a 'backward-looking measure,' the report explains, based on the state's performance in GDP growth, non-farm employment growth, and domestic migration. Utah still ranks third in the nation for Economic Performance, putting it just two away from the top spot. Utah leads the nation in economic outlook for 18th straight year, report Gov. Cox declares 'Declutter Day' in Utah — Here's how you can dispose of sensitive documents Jeffries: Court should hold Trump officials in contempt over wrongly deported Maryland man Open house set to begin for Kenya's first LDS Temple Colorado Democrat Yadira Caraveo launches bid for seat she narrowly lost Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Cox declares ‘Declutter Day' in Utah — Here's how you can dispose of sensitive documents
SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Division of Consumer Protection and Gov. Spencer J. Cox declared April 18, 2025, as the official Declutter Day in Utah. The division is hosting a community event, along with the University of Utah's Sustainability Office, on Friday, April 18, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Utah Guardsman Lot. It will offer Utahns a way to safely dispose of sensitive documents and electronics to reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. Utahns can shred documents with private or personally identifiable information, including bank statements, tax records, and medical bills. In addition, participants can safely dispose of e-waste, such as hard drives, computers, and cell phones. There will also be medication disposal services and an area to donate household items and clothing. According to a press release, reports of identity theft in Utah to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have been declining since 2020, however, the agency still received over 5,000 reports of identity theft in 2024. Safely disposing of sensitive information can help protect people against this crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Utah becomes first state to ban adding fluoride to public water systems
Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride from being added to public water systems. Governor Spencer J. Cox signed a bill on Thursday banning the mineral's addition to the public water supply, which is commonly done to reduce tooth decay. The ban will take effect on May 7, 2025. The bill prohibits communities from adding fluoride to public water supplies, and bans the enactment and enforcement or ordinances that require fluoride be added to water systems. The bill does allow pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements to individuals, and instructs the state's Division of Professional Licensing to establish guidelines for such prescriptions. The ban comes after federal health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr . expressed skepticism about water fluoridation, even though the process is considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce cavities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poor oral health has been linked to complications including cardiovascular disease, and experts have told CBS News that preventative care is the best way to keep dental health in check. Putting fluoride in public water supplies has been common in the United States since the 1950s, and researchers say drinking water is the main source of fluoride for Americans. At high levels, fluoride has been linked to health concerns including possibly lower IQs, but the levels maintained in drinking water systems are much lower. There are recommended levels of fluoride in water, and researchers say that at those levels, people are not likely to experience any adverse effects. "Seventy years of research, thousands of studies and the experience of more than 210 million Americans tell us that water fluoridation is effective in preventing cavities and is safe for children and adults," the American Dental Association says online . Studies have "consistently shown that communities with fluoridated water have lower rates of cavities," Dr. Kevin Sands, a board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, California, previously told CBS News. "Moreover, water fluoridation is a cost-effective public health measure that reduces the need for more extensive dental treatments, ultimately improving overall dental health for the population." Nearly two-thirds of the nation drinks fluoridated water, but only about two in five Utah residents are served by community water systems receive it. The state ranks 44th in the nation for the percentage of residents that receive fluoridited water. State Rep. Stephanie Gricius, a Republican who sponsored the bill alongside state Sen. Kirk Cullimore, told the Associated Press that the bill "isn't anti-fluoride legislation." "I don't dispute that there can be positive benefits from fluoride, which is why the bill also includes a deregulation of the prescription," Gricius said. She called the bill "pro-informed consent and individual choice."
