Health Archives – The Daily Utah Chronicle

Christopherson: Children’s Sports Shouldn’t Play On Bad Air Days

November 22, 2019

Everyone knows that Utah has terrible air. In 2017, the American Lung Association ranked Salt Lake City’s air quality “the sixth worst in the nation,” which will not surprise anyone who lives here. Pollution is as much a part of our lives and consciousness as the beautiful mountains or the state...

Christopherson: Utah High Schools Should Reevaluate The Risks Of Football

By Nain Christopherson, Opinion Writer

November 2, 2019

A former high school football player from Cache County recently sued his school district over injuries sustained after his coach put him back in play despite a traumatic brain injury. Konnor Finn alleges that his high school football coach told him to “man up” and “quit being a (expletive),” de...

Christopherson: Utah Should Follow Florida’s Lead with Mental Health Instruction Mandate

By Nain Christopherson, Opinion Writer

October 30, 2019

Earlier this month, we celebrated World Mental Health Day, and the World Health Organization placed a special emphasis on suicide prevention. Suicide prevention is an alarmingly pertinent topic in Utah. The state’s suicide mortality rate is consistently higher than the national average, and suicide is ...

Swanson: If You’re Going to be a Single Issue Voter, Please Vote on Health Care

By Gavin Swanson, Opinion Writer

October 26, 2019

The debate over the future of healthcare has been at the forefront of American domestic policy for over 70 years. It was the number one issue among Democratic voters in 2019 and has been on the top 5 list for decades. Nearly 30 million U.S. citizens do not have health insurance and over 40 million find...

Barron: If the Government Cared About American Youth, It Would Ban Assault Weapons Before Juul Pens

By Morgan Barron, Opinion Writer

October 24, 2019

A few weekends ago, I went home for dinner and happened to sit at the table beside a family friend who is a practicing attorney. He asked about my classes and I asked about his family, but our conversation quickly turned to President Trump’s announcement on his administration's move to ban flavored vape pods. I hadn’t been following th...

Chavez: Stop Moralizing Food and Focus on Self-Acceptance

By Paji Chavez

September 17, 2019

The conversations about food, weight and health need to change. At the time of its release, the 2004 documentary “Super Size Me” made a strong impact on American culture, but it’s been argued that little has changed in regards to the country’s perspective of fast food since th...

Barron: What Goes Down the Toilet Can Have a Crappy Effect On the Environment

By Morgan Barron, Opinion Writer

September 10, 2019

When you think of an environmental warrior, you may think of Earth Guardians Youth Director Xiuhtezcatl Martinez or teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg. Among the last things you might think of are the cutesy bathroom signs in freshman dorms that remind students not to flush underwear ⁠— or roommate �...

Starr: Keep the Stars in Sight for Better Health

By Kennedie Starr, Opinion Writer

September 5, 2019

While it may not be one of the better known environmental issues, light pollution is an entire area of degradation in and of itself. It creates many challenges for an environment just as pollution does for the land we walk on and the water we sometimes drink. Much of the impact that light pollution...

Chavez: Be Kind, Unwind: Practice Self-Compassion to Avoid a Burnout

By Paij Chavez, Opinion Writer

September 4, 2019

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE the first day of school. Whether it is the feel of a new pen on a clean notebook or the unknown possibilities of the upcoming class schedule, starting a new school year feels exciting and fresh. Sororities, fraternities, student clubs and campus organiza...

Christopherson: Eliminating Big Oil’s Impact, One Garden at a Time

By Nain Christopherson, Opinion Writer

August 27, 2019

This summer, I participated in a literature seminar on oil culture, a course about the ways in which oil supports and even fuels modernity. Unsurprisingly, our readings and discussions about plastic pollution, cancer, environmental racism and other issues associated with crude oil and its products have...