Health News

Oliver Helbig/Getty Images (AUSTIN, Texas) — Officials in Austin, Texas, are investigating an “outbreak” of deadly drug overdoses spreading across the city. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) and the Austin Police Department (APD) said they received a total of 51 calls for suspected overdoses as of Tuesday afternoon, with four suspected deaths related to the surge, according to local …

Mike Kline (notkalvin) (NEW YORK) — Federal officials continue to investigate the spread of avian flu, also known as bird flu, in livestock across the country and are now testing the U.S. beef supply to look for the genetic presence of the H5N1 virus. The virus has been found in at least 34 cattle herds across nine states, according to …

Steve Prorak/EyeEm/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Rural Americans are more likely to die early from one of the five leading causes of death than those who live in urban areas, according to new federal data. Researchers looked at the number of potentially preventable deaths from 2010 through 2022. The report was published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and …

andresr/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Breast cancer screening guidelines have been finalized by a major task force, bringing the recommended age to 40 for most women of average risk in a report published Tuesday. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a major task force consisting of expert physicians providing recommendations in the primary care setting for routine medical screenings, behavioral …

KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — About 152 people across 30 counties in West Virginia have been exposed to measles, state health officials said Friday. Earlier this week, the first confirmed case of measles in the state since 2009 was identified, according to the West Virginia Department of Health (WVDH). The patient was someone who was undervaccinated and …

March 11, 2024 — As spring approaches, the American Red Cross urges donors to give blood orplatelets now to continue to strengthen the national blood supply. People of all blood types – especiallythose with type O blood – are critical to ensuring hospitals can meet the daily demand for lifesavingtransfusions.During Red Cross Month in March, the Red Cross celebrates the …

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Insurance’s Consumer Services Division, Ohio Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA), and Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) saved insurance consumers a combined $50.3 million in 2023 by helping resolve coverage disputes, outline suitable coverage options, and identify financial assistance programs, director Judith L. French announced during National Consumer Protection Week, March 3-9. …