Alena Maschke

Alena covers health in Acadiana for The Current and The Acadiana Advocate. She came to Lafayette after reporting on the recovery from hurricanes Laura and Delta in southwest Louisiana. A native of Germany, Alena first came to the U.S. as an international student at Columbia University’s School of Journalism in 2016 and has since worked as a reporter in New York, Florida, California and Louisiana.

Health

A woman points at baskets of sweet potatoes and ginger set up on a table while another woman looks at the produce.

April 29

Food as medicine? Acadiana doctors to start prescribing fruit and veggies

Through a new program, 600 families will receive debit cards loaded with $40 each month, for six months, which they can use to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Health

April 22

Lafayette PD suspends mental health initiative

Police officials cited a lack of staff to man regular patrol while several officers are out on administrative leave following officer-involved shootings.

News + Notes

Man in a blue shirt leans on a wooden railing outisde

April 19

A program to keep Lafayette kids out of jail is in the works — here’s what it could look like

A Calcasieu Parish program connects young offenders to services that can help them and their families get back on track. State officials are developing something similar for Lafayette.

Health

A group of young people sits on the floor holding signs.

April 16

UL students, faculty criticize handling of student’s suicide

Students and faculty members gathered on UL’s campus to protest the university’s handling of a student’s on-campus suicide.

News + Notes

April 9

In South Dakota, a mental health triage center takes pressure off jails and ERs. Could it work in Lafayette?

In Sioux Falls, SD, a collaboration between the city, county and local providers has helped take pressure off of the local jail and emergency departments.

Health

Three women sit and stand in front of a small desk with screens on it.

April 2

Rapides library offers telehealth to a town without doctors

The Rapides Parish Public Library system hopes telehealth can expand access to medical care for residents of Glenmora and other towns like it across the rural parish.

Health

A young woman sits and feeds her baby on her lap.

March 25

Doulas make birth better — Louisiana is expanding access to them

Studies have shown that doulas — non-medical professionals who support women during pregnancy —improve maternal health outcomes, but so far, they have been out of reach for many. Now, that’s changing.

Health

March 13

Want to improve Louisianan’s health? Raise the minimum wage, group argues

Louisiana’s perennially poor health rankings can be blamed on poverty, childhood trauma and a lack of investment in women’s health, according to a report for the LA40by30 initiative.

Health

March 5

Acadiana has a hunger problem — here’s the data

Food assistance data shows that at least a fifth of Acadiana residents can’t afford to feed themselves and their families.

Health

A girl sits by a window and eats a meal out of a plastic container.

February 28

Families, food assistance providers brace for rough summer without Summer EBT

The Landry administration decided not to participate in the program, which last year brought $66.5 million in federal funds to Louisiana to feed poor children.

Health

A woman holds up a needle used to apply products underneath the skin.

February 20

Stretch marks to survivor stories: Lafayette medical tattooist raises confidence and awareness

Tassnique Prudhomme performs a variety of specialized tattoo services, from scar and stretch mark cover-ups to areola tattoos.

Health

A woman sits with her arms extended while another woman places a needle in her arm to draw blood.

February 16

Giving up booze makes for a healthier Lent, data from Ochsner program finds

Participants in Ochsner’s dry Lent program enjoy reductions in blood pressure, weight, fat, liver enzymes, total cholesterol and increased vitamin B12.