Health
Total 151 Posts
Articles on health trends in the state's cities, rural areas and reservations, annual report cards on health systems and the impact of government on people's well being.
Hemp industry grows amid federal legality battle
South Dakota is No. 1 in hemp fiber production. But as its farmers and processors grow the industry, federal legislation threatens some sectors of it. 'We just want to know, where are we at?"
Cannabis defined: Everything to know about the plant
An explanation about cannabis products available (legally and not) in South Dakota.
Alcohol's impact: 35, dry and dying while waiting for a transplant
Chronic liver disease is now the leading cause of death of South Dakotans in their 30s. “Alcohol is particularly challenging because it's prevalent. It's relatively cheap, and it's not in any way illegal."
SD hospital ratings: See how your hospital fared in 2025
South Dakota hospitals generally fared well, with only two of 12 receiving 3-star ratings and none getting 2-star or 1-star ratings in 2025.
How nonprofits are teaming up to fight hunger in South Dakota
113,000 South Dakotans in 2023 were considered food insecure, and South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative aims to fix that.
Medicaid cuts in federal budget could hit rural health hard in SD
While the full effects aren't yet known, rural health providers expect bad news and potentially ominous outcomes. "It could lead to people being more sick and also some more people dying before they would otherwise."
