Health Archives

Experts look for ways to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease

September 28, 2023 11:17 AM Meghan Drakas

More than 120,000 people living in Missouri have Alzheimer’s.

MU Faculty Council to discuss statement regarding MU Health Care decision to revoke gender-affirming care for minors

September 28, 2023 5:16 AM Gabrielle Teiner

The University of Missouri’s Faculty Council will vote on a draft statement during a meeting set for Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Cornell Hall, in regards to MU Health Care’s discontinuation of gender-affirming healthcare. In a draft statement written by the council it says, “Specifically, we ask MU Health Care to reinstate care for minor

Children are losing Medicaid coverage in Missouri due to procedural reasons

September 27, 2023 12:05 PM Morgan Buresh

Children make up the largest group of people needing to renew their Medicaid coverage in Missouri.

Columbia community pushing for a world without Alzheimer’s disease

September 27, 2023 10:54 AM Meghan Drakas

Last year, the Columbia Walk to End Alzheimer’s raised $195,594. This year, the walk has a goal of raising $220,000.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines available at Hy-Vee pharmacies

September 26, 2023 3:51 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Hy-Vee, Inc. announced in a Tuesday press release that its pharmacies in the Midwest will have the updated COVID-19 vaccines for those 12 years old and older. Hy-Vee has three locations in Columbia and a store in Jefferson City. According to the press release, residents can schedule an appointment on Hy-Vee’s website.

Columbians share stories of how Alzheimer’s disease has changed their lives

September 26, 2023 11:31 AM Meghan Drakas

Alzheimer’s affects locals from all walks of life.

MU Health Care installs weapons-detection system

September 21, 2023 5:13 PM Ryan Shiner, Lucas Geisler, Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care installed a weapons-detection system on Thursday. MU Health spokesman Eric Slusher told ABC 17 News in an email that the systems were added to three emergency room entrances at University Hospital and MU Women’s Hospital. “The safety of our employees, patients and visitors is our highest priority,” Slusher wrote

Flu, updated COVID-19 shots available at MU Health Care drive-thru vaccination events

September 14, 2023 6:45 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The updated COVID-19 shots will be available at drive-thru vaccination events held by MU Health Care. The flu shot will also be available. According to a Thursday press release, the drive-thru event will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at South Providence Medical Park on: Saturday, Sept. 30Saturday, Oct. 14Saturday, Oct. 28

Former Moberly doctor sentenced 22 months for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid

September 14, 2023 7:45 PM Ryan Shiner

ST. LOUIS (KMIZ) A former Moberly doctor who admitted in federal court to a scheme to steal from taxpayers by using his father’s name to bill Medicaid and Medicare was sentenced Thursday to nearly two years in prison, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Dr. Justin G. LaMonda, 42, pleaded guilty

DHSS: Updated COVID-19 vaccines to become available this week

September 13, 2023 5:41 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services said in a Wednesday press release that updated COVID-19 vaccines from will be available this week. The new vaccine — which was recently approved by the FDA — recommended to anyone 6 months and older by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Residents who have not

ACIP expected to vote on COVID-19 recommendations in September

August 29, 2023 9:11 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A new COVID-19 could be made available soon. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Tuesday, Sept. 12 and is expected to vote on recommendations for a monovalent vaccine. Dr. Laura Morris — MU Health Care physician — said Missouri is seeing a late summer uptick in COVID-19 cases, but the number

MU Health Care to stop prescribing puberty blockers to current minor patients

August 29, 2023 5:07 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A spokesman for MU Health Care told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that it will stop prescribing puberty blockers to current minor patients. The action comes after a new law banning gender-affirming care for Missouri youth went into effect on Monday. The spokesman for MU said other forms of gender-affirming care could

Boone County’s health department expands Social Services unit

August 11, 2023 8:25 AM Madison Stuerman

The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Department will now offer services in the Mezzanine of Columbia’s City Hall.

Boone Health given all clear, lockdown ends

August 10, 2023 6:37 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone Health was placed on a lockdown Thursday evening. A Boone Health spokesman told ABC 17 News in an email that the hospital was locked down at 5:52 p.m. after Boone County Joint Communications informed them that it received a call about someone possibly threatening the hospital. Spokesman Ben Cornelius said in

Cole County EMS runs Stop the Bleed and CPR training at Jefferson City Jaycees Fair

August 3, 2023 10:12 PM Marina Diaz

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Cole County EMS and Jefferson City Fire Department is holding Stop the Bleed and CPR training at the Jefferson City Jaycee Fair until Saturday. The training includes CPR Manikins, prosthetic limbs with injuries including gunshot wounds and fake blood to simulate arterial wounds. “We are out here with the Jefferson

MU Health Care announces tuberculosis exposure involving employee

July 27, 2023 4:51 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) MU Health Care announced in a Thursday afternoon press release that a “health care team member” tested positive for tuberculosis. MU Health is working with state and county health officials to address risks to patients and staff and has activated an infection control plan, the release states. The health care team member

Health and safety officials monitoring the Boone County Fair ahead of high temperatures

July 20, 2023 5:49 AM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) With temperatures expected to rise up to 95 degrees on Wednesday, those planning on attending activities at the fair should be prepared to face the heat. According to the CDC, to avoid heat exhaustion you should: Wear appropriate clothing: choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothingRemember to wear sunscreen: sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and

MU Health Care hosts tour for new children’s hospital

July 10, 2023 7:54 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Monday afternoon, MU Health Care held a tour to show the progress made on the new children’s hospital coming to Virginia Avenue. The facility is on track to open in June 2024, and will feature 146 private patient rooms. There were empty rooms and lots filled with dirt, while construction continued

Risk of heat-related illness increased with higher temps this week

June 28, 2023 5:31 AM Avery Roehler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is forecasting temperatures in Mid-Missouri over 100 degrees this week. Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp says in extreme heat, people should drink double the amount of water they normally would. “It’s about hydration, cool, short work cycles, short play cycles,” said Blomenkamp. Blomenkamp

Heat leading cause of weather related death in 2022, National Weather Service reports

June 27, 2023 8:02 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat was the leading cause of weather-related deaths in 2022, with 148 people dying as a result. Temperatures in Mid-Missouri could reach above 100 degrees this week, which could become potentially dangerous. Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said heat-related deaths can