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Southwest Life
Tara Kiene
Position: Staff reporter

A brief history of vaccines

A lot of people are staunchly pro-vaccines, some are militant anti-vaxxers and much of the population is wondering what all the fuss is about. If you already have a firm viewpoint on the que...

La Plata County introduces its new Healthy Homes program

The La Plata County Public Health Department has identified a need for a Healthy Homes program here in our local community. We have received a Colorado State Tobacco Education and Prevention...

We can do better addressing gender disparities in disabilities

Does gender impact disability? It’s an interesting, complicated question that is finally being asked and more than we can completely unpack in a few paragraphs. But the simple answer is “yes...

New Public Health Department locations and radon month

The La Plata County Public Health Department will be moving to three new locations in Durango over the next few months. Most of our public health programs – such as environmental health, bir...

Why aren’t we building new homes to be accessible?

Recently, I helped a friend move into a brand-new house. Moving is an exciting and stressful time, and I will admit having a little house envy. A new build is a blank slate, with all the lat...

Navigating grief through the holidays

The holidays are a time of celebration, of tradition, excitement and connection. It is the time of year when people come together to celebrate as families and loved ones. Unfortunately, this...

Finding gratitude for our privileges

This is a time of year when a lot of Americans stop and take stock of the many blessings we have. Along with turkey, ham, tamales, shrimp cocktail, frozen pizza or whatever your family enjoy...

The Public Health Water Lab: Safe drinking water for all

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental need that supports community health, prevents waterborne disease and contributes to our overall quality of life. The La Plata County Public Hea...

You don’t have to age alone

At what age do you become an older adult? For many of us, the definition of “old” changes as we age. Or perhaps it’s “at least 20 years older than I am now.” Aging is a very subjective and p...

Know your options: Health coverage open enrollment begins soon

Colorado’s health exchange open enrollment is just around the corner. Connect for Health Colorado and Colorado Connect enrollment starts Nov. 1, and continues through Jan. 15, 2025. Now is...

A look at some of the tricks used by fraudsters

I think I am essentially an optimist about humanity. Most people are basically good; even when we do a bad thing, it’s either a mistake that we can learn from, or we are doing it for what we...

Photos: It’s about to get creative in Ignacio

The Dancing Spirits Center for the Arts in Ignacio nears its grand opening