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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health warning about an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida, which the agency said is mainly affecting gay and bisexual men, including those living with HIV. The CDC urged gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men to get the MenACWY vaccine if they live in Florida. It also recommended that those planning to visit Florida talk with their health care provider about getting the vaccine. (Rai, 4/9)

A government watchdog has found a “substantial likelihood” the federal Bureau of Prisons committed wrongdoing when it ignored complaints and failed to address asbestos and mold contamination at a federal women’s prison in California that has already been under scrutiny for rampant sexual abuse of inmates. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel now wants Attorney General Merrick Garland to step in to investigate the allegations after multiple whistleblower complaints were filed earlier this year. The office detailed its findings in a letter this past week and has asked Garland to submit a report within 60 days. (Balsamo and Sisak, 4/9)

The Alaska House of Representatives this week rejected a $495,000 legal settlement with two former Alaska Psychiatric Institute doctors illegally fired by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his former chief of staff in 2018. The House voted 20-17 on Thursday to strip the money from a state budget line item for settlements. The decision is not yet final and would not revive a lawsuit brought by the doctors, but if the amendment is adopted by both the House and Senate, it would leave the doctors without financial compensation. “If this amount is not appropriated, the settlement would not be paid, which means the doctors would not receive the payment that was part of the compromise of the settlement,” said assistant attorney general Grace Lee, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Department of Law. (Brooks, 4/8)

Nevada’s largest university is going smoke-free, going beyond the state’s existing law against smoking in most indoor public places by expanding it to include outdoor areas. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas policy announced Friday and taking effect Aug. 15 in time for the fall 2022 semester also applies to vaping. (4/9)

A large wellness fair focusing on physical, mental and spiritual well-being — as well as activities for kids — is scheduled from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Pearson Community Center in Las Vegas. “Wednesday Wellness Health Fair” will include blood-pressure checks and cholesterol screenings, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. There will be presentations and vendors. The event, at 1625 West Carey Ave., will include a food truck sponsored by Desert Winds Hospital. (Hynes, 4/9)

National data shows nearly a third of people between the ages of 18 and 25 experienced a mental health condition during 2020. A national program called This is My Brave that is coming to the University of South Florida in Tampa this month aims to improve these statistics. Students who take part in the program use creative performances to talk about mental health and addiction openly and break down the stigma surrounding the topics. Ten USF students who applied to be in the program in January will take the stage April 22, using poetry, stand-up comedy, creative monologues and music to share real-life experiences about depression, anxiety and trauma. (Bruner, 4/8)

Ridership boomed during the Utah Transit Authority’s pilot program, “Free Fare February,” the effort to make public transportation more accessible and the air quality improved. That’s according to a final report released by UTA this week about the ridership and environmental outcomes of the monthlong initiative. “About 68 tons of pollution was kept out of the air, which is about a 21% improvement in pollution savings compared to the previous month,” said UTA Board Trustee Jeff Acerson, who represents Tooele and Utah counties. “That’s why transit is such a critical piece of that because you’re getting more people on a [transit] system rather than more cars on the highways.” (Bojórquez, 4/8)

KHN: Profit Strategy: Psychiatric Facilities Prioritize Out-Of-State Kids 

South Carolina children who need immediate, around-the-clock psychiatric care risk being stranded for days — even weeks — waiting for help, only to be sent hundreds of miles away from home for treatment. When no psychiatric residential treatment beds are open in South Carolina, some children must travel across the Southeast to facilities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, or Kentucky — anywhere a bed might be available. (Sausser, 4/11)