Health

By NewsPress Now A local couple is struggling to get an expensive gene treatment for their newborn twins who are suffering from a rare and often fatal condition. Social media posts made by Austin and Amanda Reed have been drawing widespread attention to their desperate situation. The couple’s twin sons, Easton and Eli, were born

By Jenna Wilson A recent report showed that drug shortages in the U.S. have hit an all-time high, impacting pharmacies across the country and locally. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists tracked a record 323 active drug shortages during the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the previous record of 320 shortages in 2014. Patients who

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Nearly 25 million people of all ages in the United States are living with asthma, a lifelong chronic disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs. Here’s what the American Lung Association wants everyone to know during summer, when extreme heat can make asthma harder

By Chris Fortune Visits to the local clinic will be more efficient after upgrades to its record-keeping. The St. Joseph Health Department clinic’s transition to electronic medical records began this week. Typically, each visitor received a new paper chart when they came to the clinic, which presented issues with continuity of care if a patient

By Charles Christian As underage drinking remains a prevalent issue across the U.S., local experts are urging parents to have open conversations with their kids about the potential dangers. According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about one in five middle school students report having had at least one drink in

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Shopping for groceries can be like navigating a maze: so many choices in every aisle, food packages covered in marketing claims and little direction on what is truly healthy and what isn’t. People want to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, but how can they when the information available

By Kirsten Stokes The legal seesaw surrounding abortion laws continues to spark controversy as women seek guidance and resources for their reproductive health decisions across the country, and St. Joseph is no exception. Since June 2022, Missouri legislation has had a full ban on abortions in the state, except in the case of an emergency

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt a person’s life for weeks. When severe, it can result in hospitalization and even be life threatening. Each year, pneumococcal pneumonia results in an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and

By Jenna Wilson Mosaic Life Care is extending its hours for breast screenings this week across three branches in Northwest Missouri for a special two-day “Mammothon.” In St. Joseph, Maryville and Albany on April 19 and 20, Mosaic Life Care centers are promoting breast health and screenings by offering longer hours for those who can’t

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) It’s been four years since the collective trauma of the pandemic created widespread grief, anxiety and isolation, but the psychological wounds of this period have not fully healed. The American Psychological Association reports continued elevated rates of anxiety and depression among Americans, and mental health experts say that negative self-talk plays

By Jazmine Knight Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter hosted their 10th annual Run/Walk for the Paws event and the turnout was better than ever.  This event raises money and awareness for the St. Joseph Animal Shelter by hosting a 5k run/walk. The event features multiple booths with food, beverages, trinkets, dog accessories and

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Practices in oral and overall health care continually advance to keep you well. Here are two changes affecting dental care you might notice at your next visit. 1. Updated recommendations for dental X-rays. In the past, when your dentist took X-rays of your teeth, you probably wore a leaded apron or

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Close to 238,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. That’s about one person every two and a half minutes. Fortunately, more Americans are surviving lung cancer thanks in part to early detection, groundbreaking research and new treatments. However, the path from diagnosis to treatment

By NewsPress Now (StatePoint) Excessive heat. Emerging diseases. Severe storms and off-season illnesses. The environmental hazards associated with climate change threaten the physical and mental health of children and families — and can be a source of anxiety. It’s not just speculation. Communities are already impacted by such climate change effects as heat illness from

By Jenna Wilson Family Guidance Center’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care center has been open to patients for a year now, and employees are reflecting on the clinic’s successes. The Behavioral Health Urgent Care center opened its doors April 3, 2023, and has served more than 1,300 patients since then. On average, they see 110 patients

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,