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POLLING
RESOLUTIONS: Via U.S. News & World Report, VERBATIM: “More than a third of Americans plan to focus on their mental health as part of their New Year’s resolutions, a new survey says. About 38% of Americans plan to make a mental health-related resolution for 2026, up 5% from a year ago, according to a new poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49fta6M
EXERCISE: Via Gallup, VERBATIM: “U.S. adults who exercise at least 30 minutes every day or nearly every day are significantly less likely to report experiencing stress than those who don’t exercise. The relationship between exercise and reduced stress is especially strong among women, with those exercising frequently expressing far less stress than women who don’t exercise. The stress gap is much smaller between high- and low-exercise men.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49r03hd
HEALTHCARE: Via The Guardian, VERBATIM: “A record 23 % of Americans believe the United States healthcare system is ‘in a state of crisis’ and 47% think it has ‘major problems,’ according to a recent poll from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America. The poll also revealed that a record 29% of Americans see “cost” as the most urgent health problem facing the US. Experts note that these two perceptions – that the healthcare system is in a state of crisis and that costs are an urgent health problem – are related.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49I0LaY
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
DC + MN
VACCINES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Federal health officials announced Monday a significant overhaul of the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children, reducing the number from 17 to 11. These changes are effective immediately. No vaccines were removed from the schedule entirely, but their status was adjusted.” QUOTE: “Eliminating vital U.S. childhood vaccine recommendations without public discussion of the potential impacts on children in this country, or a transparent review of the data on which the changes were based, is a radical and dangerous decision,” [UofM infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Osterholm] said. “This wildly irresponsible decision will sow further doubt and confusion among parents and put children’s lives at risk.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jpczlH
MORE: Via MMA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) is deeply concerned with the recent decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise the childhood vaccine schedule. The changes add unnecessary confusion and uncertainty around vaccines that have been shown to be both safe and effective. Minnesota law continues to require evidence-based vaccinations for childcare and school attendance. The MMA urges parents and families to talk directly with their physicians about the critical role that childhood vaccines play in preventing serious disease and death, and in protecting the most vulnerable members or our communities.”
MORE: Children’s Minnesota Hospital’s Dr. Gigi Chawla talked about dealing with patient questions about vaccinations for their kids. CHAWLA: “I do think that the news from yesterday leaves families wondering and not even at this time able to articulate what their questions are.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qK6mDC
RURAL: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “Rural health care systems in Minnesota will be getting a much-needed boost thanks to federal funding. The Minnesota Department of Health is receiving more than $193 million for rural health care through the Rural Health Transformation Program. All 50 states are receiving first-year awards for 2026, but Minnesota is getting some extra money for the state’s plan to improve health care delivery in rural areas.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jsl8fD
POLITICALLY CONNECTED
MED RESEARCH: Via news release from the Attorney General’s office, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued the following statement after the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed yesterday a lower court ruling permanently preventing the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from implementing a policy that would cut billions of dollars in funds that support cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country, regardless of whether their state joined the lawsuit.” ELLISON: “I cannot fathom why the Trump Administration would try to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from our world-class institutions like the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. Regardless, I am pleased to have won this fight against the Trump Administration’s shortsighted attack on Minnesota’s pioneering medical research, and I will continue fighting to protect our state from this lawless and cruel administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/498PbWf
ICE: Via Unidos MN, news of an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a patient at Hennepin County Medical Center. VERBATIM: “This incident did not occur in isolation. It is an example of what happens when institutions do not have clear, enforced policies in place. Prior to this incident, Unidos MN’s Health Justice Committee had shared detailed policy recommendations (attached below) with HCMC leadership, warning that hospitals are increasingly vulnerable to immigration enforcement actions. Those recommendations were not adopted before the holidays, and HCMC leadership has failed to follow through on their agreement to meet to discuss the recommendation. The result was a preventable situation that caused fear, disrupted care, and damaged trust. Similar transgressions with ICE have occurred throughout hospitals in the metro and greater Minnesota since.”
MORE: Unidos MN is hosting a training for healthcare workers on January 18th. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45HMWqC
WAITE PARK: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “District 742 students not in compliance with the district’s — and the state’s — immunization requirements will no longer be able to attend class. The school board voted during a special meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, for the ‘removal of students whose families have not complied with the compulsory immunization requirements.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45wVCA5
GOV RACE: Via Minnesota Nurses Association, VERBATIM: “Nurses remain focused on patient safety and the future of nursing in Minnesota. We look forward to a robust and substantive discussion with candidates about improving patient outcomes and strengthening the nursing profession through policies that prioritize safe staffing ratios and ensure healthcare corporations put patients before profits. These conversations are critical to addressing the ongoing imbalance of power between frontline healthcare workers and large corporate healthcare systems, and to ensuring nurses have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect patient care.”
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
HEALTH HEADLINES
FLU: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “Flu continues to bring misery across the US, with all but four states showing high or very high levels of activity as a new virus strain called subclade K continues to spread. By another measure – visits to the doctor for fever plus a cough or sore throat, which are common flu symptoms – the US is at its highest level of respiratory illness since at least the 1997-98 flu season, according to data published Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qaJptm
MINNESOTA: As of last week, there were nearly 2,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 176 school outbreaks in Minnesota. MDH: https://fluence-media.co/3Y10bib
DIET: Via Independent, VERBATIM: “Americans will soon receive new dietary guidance from the government that could recommend eating more meat and saturated fats while minimizing intake of ultraprocessed foods – aligning closer with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda. In the coming days, the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture are going to release a new version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a detailed document released every five years that relies on science and nutrition experts to make food and drink recommendations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4suvbVD
GLP-1: Via ABC News, VERBATIM: “The first and only oral GLP-1 for weight loss in adults is now available to consumers. Drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced Monday that its daily oral Wegovy pill is now available by prescription. Consumers with prescriptions may pick up the new Wegovy pill at pharmacies nationwide or have it delivered through telehealth companies, according to Novo Nordisk.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49u8nwx
HEALTHY HABITS: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “When it comes to heart health, prevention still delivers the greatest return. Taking steps now — no matter how small — provides far greater benefits than managing heart disease later. Fortunately, there are many practical, sustainable ways to lower your risk, even if heart disease is common in your family. A good place to begin is with the simple, everyday choices that influence your long-term cardiovascular health. To build healthier habits, start gradually.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YrIOY4
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
NEW RESEARCH
OPIOIDS: From USF via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “Researchers at USF Health have discovered a new way opioid receptors can work that may lead to safer pain medications. Their findings show that certain experimental compounds can amplify pain relief without intensifying dangerous side effects like suppressed breathing. This research offers a fresh blueprint for designing opioids that last longer, work better, and pose fewer risks. It also opens doors to safer treatments for other brain disorders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49oss7v
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FOOD CHOICES: From Max Planck Institute via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “The idea that we make over 200 unconscious food choices a day has been repeated for years, but new research shows the number is more illusion than insight. The famous figure comes from a counting method that unintentionally exaggerates how many decisions people really make. Researchers warn that framing eating as mostly ‘mindless’ can undermine confidence and self-control. A more realistic view focuses on meaningful choices—and practical strategies that make healthy decisions easier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jsI9zd
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