Health

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

By Kyle Schmidt Those battling cancer have a resource to help keep them strong in their fight. The St Joseph YMCA is kicking off a new year of its LiveStrong program on Monday, Jan. 8. It’s a free resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Three different 12-week-long sessions aim to work different

By Ashley Luthans Making health a priority is a common New Year’s resolution, whether it be through exercise or better eating habits, but sticking to it can be easier said than done. Austin Evans, the owner of Lean Kitchen Company, a local meal plan service, highlighted various ways to improve physical health. “No. 1 focus

By Charles Christian A small purchase can play a big role in keeping those in your home safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 400 people die from overexposure to carbon monoxide and another 100,000 visit emergency rooms with related issues. The colorless, odorless gas can come from