Ohio EPA Issues Statewide Air Quality Advisory Due to Wildfire Smoke

The American Red Cross this week declared an emergency blood shortage after blood donations fell about 25% in June, creating a growing gap between supply and patient need. The organization said hospitals are using nearly 3,500 more blood units each week than expected during the busy summer trauma season, with O positive and B negative blood types in especially short supply. The Red Cross is urging donors of all blood types to schedule appointments as soon as possible to help protect patient care. Individuals who donate blood through July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket, valued at up to $15,…

As Ohio continues to respond to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, a University of Cincinnati infectious disease specialist is encouraging residents to take simple precautions while continuing to enjoy fresh produce. Per the Cincinnati Enquirer, Dr. Keith Luckett recommends thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables – even those labeled as prewashed – and exercising extra caution with leafy greens, which have been linked to the outbreak. He also advises washing hands frequently, avoiding swimming while experiencing diarrhea, and contacting a health care provider if symptoms develop, as early testing and treatment can help prevent prolonged illness. Ohio has reported hundreds of…

OHA’s Opioid Overdose Dashboard has been updated with data through the first quarter of 2026. The data is derived from the more than 39 million annual coded hospital encounters in Ohio. The release of per-capita rates by county as well as by market area are intended to assist health policymakers, funders and local collaboratives in their work. Compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2025), overdose-related hospitalizations remained relatively stable, decreasing slightly from 1,007 in Q4 to 988 in Q1 2026. The data does not reflect overdoses that did not present for care at a hospital or overdoses that occurred among…

Two OHA member health systems are among the nation's leaders in hospital sustainability, earning top recognition through the American Society for Health Care Engineering's 2026 Energy to Care Awards. Bon Secours Mercy Health, with eight recognized facilities, and OhioHealth, with two recognized facilities, received the program's Sustainability Champions Award for demonstrating leadership in reducing energy use, lowering emissions and advancing sustainability initiatives. The award is the highest distinction in ASHE's Energy to Care Program, with just 70 facilities across 13 health systems nationwide earning the honor. The recipients will be recognized during ASHE's Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference, Aug. 2-5,…