Health care notebook

Drug deaths high for rural women

Death rates from drug overdoses are higher for women living in rural areas, according to new data analyzed by National Center for Health Statistics researchers.

For 2017, the death rate related to overdoses for women in rural counties was 15.5 per 100,000. For urban counties, it was 14.2.

That’s different from national rates, in which overall overdose death rates were higher in urban areas — 22 people per 100,000, compared with 20 in those places’ rural counterparts.

People from rural areas were more likely to die from overdoses related to psychostimulants with abuse potential — such as methamphetamine, amphetamine and methylphenidate — and natural and semisynthetic opioids.

People in urban areas died more frequently from heroin, cocaine and synthetic opioid overdoses.

Three NW hospitals to hold Baby Fairs

Three Northwest Arkansas hospitals will host free Baby Fairs on Tuesday.

Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and Willow Creek Women’s Hospital will each host events offering seminars, speakers, vendors and tours of delivery areas.

The events take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Registration is available at bit.ly/SummerBabyFairs or by calling (479) 757-5433.

Hospital sets $5M goal for fundraiser

Arkansas Children’s Hospital has begun a fundraising campaign to expand cancer and blood disorder services at its Northwest Arkansas campus.

A target of $5 million will fund up to six new positions at Arkansas Children’s Northwest, including a pediatric oncologist, nurses and staff.

It also will expand monitoring systems and pharmacology services.

Groups organizing the Will Golf 4 Kids Tournament and Color of Hope Gala, which were held Thursday and Friday, have committed to raising the money.