Hoosiers are urged to kick the habit of smoking as part of today’s Great American Smoke Out. The American Cancer Society encourages smokers to at least make a plan to quit in order to improve their health and reduce their risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Continue reading
The Indiana State Department of Health is once again teaming up with other organizations to raise awareness of HIV. Continue reading
Overdose prevention efforts in two local counties are getting a boost, thanks to funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue reading
Summer may be entering its final weeks, but mosquito season continues. So far this year, 92 mosquito batches have tested positive for West Nile Virus, including two in Starke County and three in St. Joseph County. Continue reading
The Indiana State Department of Health is urging residents to protect themselves against ticks before heading outdoors this spring. Health officials say the small, insect-like creatures are found in grassy and wooded areas throughout the state. They can carry a variety of infectious diseases like Lyme disease. Continue reading
Community nonprofit organization Moving Starke County Forward is receiving national attention for its efforts to improve health outcomes for local residents. Continue reading
During the month of April, health officials around the country are working to raise awareness of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Continue reading
A new state program to help the deaf and hard of hearing is being made available to children in the Hoosier State. Continue reading
An increase in flu-related deaths has Indiana health officials urging residents to get vaccinated. The Indiana State Department of Health says 19 Hoosiers have died from the virus since October, including two children. They say many of those people did not get a flu shot. Continue reading
Spring Break is the time of the year when people often head to warm, tropical places for vacation. But this year, pregnant women and their partners might want to rethink that, in light of health warnings about the Zika virus. It continues to spread in places like Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Dr. Jen Brown with the Indiana State Department of Health says although a state resident was diagnosed with Zika last month, she doesn’t expect a widespread outbreak here. Continue reading
A service designed to help Hoosiers quit smoking and live healthier lives is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. Since March 2006, the Indiana Tobacco Quitline has helped more than 114,000 Hoosiers stop using tobacco, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. Continue reading
Additional HIV cases in southern Indiana have prompted a warning from the Indiana Department of Health about risky behavior. The four new cases bring the total number of people who have tested positive for HIV to 188. State officials say the outbreak has been linked to shared needles among injection drug users. All of the newly diagnosed cases are contacts of cases previously identified in the outbreak, according to health department officials. Continue reading
With snow and frigid temperatures moving into the area, state officials are reminding residents to stay safe during winter weather. Continue reading
The Indiana State Department of Health is warning residents about the dangers of radon, an odorless, tasteless, colorless, but radioactive gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared January National Radon Action Month. Continue reading
State health officials are reminding Hoosiers to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning while keeping their homes warm this winter. The Indiana State Department of Health says residents need to be especially careful when using alternate heating sources during power outages. Continue reading
The flu season may be off to a mild start this year, but it’s still important that you get a flu shot. That’s the message state health officials are working to get out this week during National Influenza Vaccination Week. Continue reading
State health officials this week confirmed the first flu-related death of the season. No details about the person’s age or county of residence were released due to privacy laws. Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch says now is the time to get your flu shot if you haven’t done so already. Continue reading
The Indiana State Department of Health is encouraging parents to talk to their kids about making healthy choices. Continue reading
West Nile virus has been diagnosed in twelve people in Indiana so far this year, including two who have died. That’s an increase over last year when only 10 people got the virus, but state health officials says there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Continue reading
Septic system maintenance is being promoted with the Environmental Protection Agency’s third annual SepticSmart Week. Continue reading
