Health

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and it almost always begins during adolescence. According to leading medical advocates, pediatricians have a role to play in getting kids to quit vaping electronic cigarettes and using other tobacco products. Ten percent of American students

By Jenna Wilson Authorities across the U.S. are warning the public about the rise of counterfeit versions of the weight loss drug Ozempic. The medication has grown in popularity over the years leading to a high demand for the product. Some places are dealing with a shortage because of this and it’s led to a

By Jenna Wilson Authorities and health officials across the U.S. are warning the public about the rise of counterfeit versions of medications like Ozempic. Ozempic, generically semaglutide, is an injection used to treat people with Type 2 diabetes. It can also cause weight loss and has grown in popularity over the past year, leading to

By Harry Loomis Current trends in Buchanan County suggest this flu season is going to stretch out longer than usual. Buchanan County already has recorded 629 positive flu cases in the first half of March. This includes both strains, one affecting the stomach and another affecting the respiratory system. The numbers are an increase from

By Jazmine Knight While some might be dreading spring cleaning, it can be an important task to keep your family healthy and your mind at ease. Spring cleaning can de-stress, improve focus and help ward off depression, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While most dread this time of year, the spring clean can be easier

By Charles Christian Daylight saving time officially ends this weekend, as we “spring forward” and lose an hour of sleep, and while that means more sunlight throughout the day, not everyone is a fan of the time change.  The growing unpopularity of daylight saving time has brought about annual attempts to pass laws in Missouri

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Maintaining your health and vitality as you age includes taking care of your mouth. Neglecting dental health can make you susceptible to gum disease, lead to poor nutrition, put you at risk for infections, and even impact your emotional well-being. Yet, many older adults aren’t receiving proper oral care. Research from

By Chris Fortune The first over-the-counter birth control pill is expected to be available within a month at major retailers and pharmacies, and some St. Joseph residents said the increased accessibility will allow for easier personal health decisions. The Food and Drug Administration approved Opill, the first daily oral contraceptive approved for use in the

By Jazmine Knight With the spring season approaching sooner than usual, pollen and the seasonal allergies that come with it are emerging. Sufferers of seasonal allergies most often experience sneezing, congestion, runny nose and itchy eyes. Some even experience a loss of taste or smell due to nasal congestion. Dr. Melvin McFarlin, medical director at

By Charles Christian Even though mandatory COVID-19 reporting ceased in the fall of 2023, health officials stress that the virus is still around. Holly Hazzard, clinic supervisor at the St. Joseph Health Department, said she is concerned that because the numbers are no longer being reported people have stopped taking the virus as seriously. “It

By Jenna Wilson Pharmacies across the nation and in St. Joseph are working to fill essential medications after a cyberattack last Wednesday disrupted data transmission lines between insurance companies and pharmacies. The cybersecurity attack that took place on a major health tech platform, Change Healthcare, has complicated the process of billing through insurance companies, and

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Most people have a foot or ankle problem at one time or another. So how do you know when to seek help? Many symptoms—even those you can tolerate—require the professional attention of a foot and ankle surgeon to keep the underlying condition from worsening. According to Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) DIY activities, like swapping a lighting fixture or painting your living room, are popular ways to accomplish your to-do list. But as anyone who has tackled too big of a project knows, some jobs are best left to the professionals. That includes your dental health. You may have already seen DIY

By Kendra Simpson Seven years ago, Walter May was at an event when he saw an old friend standing at a booth and decided to say hi. Little did he know, this interaction was the first step to saving a life. The friend was looking for volunteers for the National Marrow Donor Program for bone

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Over the last three decades, the United States has seen pregnancy-related deaths rise nearly 140%, and heart disease continues to be the leading cause. Furthermore, women who have prenatal complications, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, have a significantly higher risk of heart disease and stroke later in life,

By Kyle Schmidt February is American Heart Month, serving as a reminder for Americans to check in on their heart health and take steps to stay fit. “So we’ve done lots of things this month to kick it off and just remind people to think about their heart,” said Tammy Killin, CEO of the YMCA

By Jenna Wilson A newly launched statewide prescription drug monitoring program is Missouri’s latest tool in the fight against the misuse of medications. The Missouri Legislature passed a law to create the prescription drug monitoring program in 2021. It allows health workers to compile a patient’s drug history in an electronic database so other health-care

By Kyle Schmidt The considered “gold standard” of skin cancer treatment will now be provided by Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. With the help of Dr. Isadore Tarantino, Moh surgery will be an available treatment at the Mosaic Plastic Surgery and Dermatology center. The Chamber of Commerce recognized Mosaic Life Care for its success

By Chris Fortune Kindergarten vaccine rates in Missouri have been falling since 2016, which is a cause for concern for district health services. Around a dozen total cases of measles were confirmed by the Pennsylvania, Georgia and Virginia health departments in recent weeks. The Clay County Public Health Center was notified of a measles case

By Jazmine Knight The cold and dreary weather that winter months bring can leave people feeling down or lacking energy, but experts say a few lifestyle changes could help those with mild symptoms find motivation. Kristina Hannon, co-CEO of the Family Guidance Center, said feeling downcast following the holidays could be seasonal affective disorder, or

By Chris Fortune St. Joseph veterans will have access to more health care services by the end of the year with the construction of a new clinic. The St. Joseph Veteran Affairs Clinic will be moving farther north to 4782 Sienna Drive. The new building will be larger, which will provide more space for health

By Riley Funk Paramedics are highlighting the benefits of being prepared and trained in the event of a cardiac arrest situation or medical emergency. A little over a year ago, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac event a little more than a year ago, putting the use of AEDs and CPR on the

By Charles Christian January is Birth Defects Awareness Month, and a Missouri spokesperson with the March of Dimes is highlighting education and how people can show their support. Since 1938, a leading advocate of birth defect prevention and care has been the March of Dimes. Although the local March of Dimes offices in St. Joseph

By Chris Fortune The first instinct for many might be to get out and shovel driveways and sidewalks when snow falls, but the activity can be especially dangerous for people with heart disease and other medical conditions. The American Heart Association said people may face an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac

By NewsPress Now ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Elwood-St. Joseph has a new chief executive officer. Todd Sandberg is taking the helm of the medical rehabilitation hospital that treats patients with disabling injuries or illnesses such as strokes, brain injuries, hip fractures, spinal injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other medically complex conditions including COVID-19. Sandberg

By Kirsten Stokes The number of people donating blood has fallen by about 40% during the last 20 years, leading to critical shortages in a life-saving necessity. Worsening shortages in the last four years have led to an almost constant state of emergency for needed blood. Joann Woody, executive director of the Red Cross of

By Kendra Simpson Cutting out alcohol in January has been a trend for years, however, for those who aren’t quite ready to quit cold turkey, a more relaxed version of the challenge is gaining popularity. Instead of Dry January, people can try Damp January, which encourages participants to simply limit alcohol consumption without quitting entirely.

By Harry Loomis With St. Joseph’s recent winter weather and more bitter cold temperatures on the way, flu cases may see an uptick sooner than later. As of Wednesday morning, St. Joseph has 180 confirmed cases of the flu, but flu season has yet to see its peak, so those numbers are expected to rise.

By Charles Christian A local activity center aims to help older adults keep their resolutions for the new year. The Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center in Downtown St. Joseph provides an array of opportunities for older adults. Members have access to workout facilities, meeting rooms, weekly games and educational opportunities. Manager Julie Noel said