Health Archives

Judge cites new Supreme Court ruling in blocking health care anti-discrimination protections for transgender Americans

July 3, 2024 2:29 PM CNN Newsource

By Devan Cole, CNN Washington (CNN) — The Biden administration cannot enforce new anti-discrimination rules in health care for transgender Americans, a federal judge in Mississippi ruled Wednesday, citing a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling that weakened the power of federal agencies. The preliminary injunction from US District Judge Louis Guirola comes just two days

Experts say heed the warnings about fireworks-related injuries as Independence Day approaches

July 1, 2024 2:25 PM Allison Weaver

Fireworks can be a way to celebrate the Fourth of July but they can also cause a painful holiday if not used properly.

Heat can be taxing on the mind as well as the body

June 27, 2024 5:36 PM Allison Weaver

Extreme heat like Mid-Missouri has experienced over the past week isn’t just bad for the body, it can also hurt the mind.

Doctors, CDC say to stay aware of side effects of medications as heat wave continues in Mid-Missouri

June 25, 2024 4:48 PM Gabrielle Teiner, Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As temperatures remain high around Mid-Missouri, it’s important to check the label for risks on some medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medications can react to heat in three ways: By causing fluid imbalance in the body, degrade or damage the medicine and increase skin sensitivity. The CDC

US surgeon general declares gun violence a public health emergency

June 25, 2024 4:03 AM Associated Press

The U.S. surgeon general on Tuesday declared gun violence a public health crisis, driven by the fast-growing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms in the country.

Ian’s Ride highlights outdoor accessibility on the Katy Trail and in Missouri state parks

June 24, 2024 3:38 PM Marie Moyer

On Monday, the Missouri State Parks and outdoor accessibility advocate Ian Mackay invited trail enthusiasts to join them on the North Jefferson Trailhead of the Katy Trail, sending him off on day four of his statewide excursion.

Columbia chaplain supports social media app warning label

June 20, 2024 5:24 PM Reagan Phillips

This week U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recommended Congress place warning labels for children on social media apps. The proposal would protect children’s mental health, Murthy says, amid climbing evidence that such apps can harm developing brains.

Three weeks of fireworks sales starts in Missouri ahead of July 4

June 20, 2024 10:52 AM Allison Weaver

Thursday is the first day of fireworks sales in Missouri, lasting until July 10.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should social media apps come with warnings for children?

June 18, 2024 3:09 AM ABC 17 News Team

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy sent a clear message to Congress on Monday, writing in an op-ed that the legislative branch should make a law requiring warning labels on social media apps. Murthy likens such labels to those already on cigarettes and alcohol but related to the mental health consequences of using the apps. Do

Residents fed up over ‘deplorable’ living conditions in low-income Jefferson City apartments

June 14, 2024 10:51 PM Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Residents in a low-incoming housing building in Jefferson City are fed up with the building’s conditions. ABC 17 News received a complaint about the Kenneth Lock Apartments, a 55 and older housing facility operated by the Housing Authority of Jefferson City. The complaint claimed there was an “infestation of bed bugs,”

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you agree with the U.S. Supreme Court decision on mifepristone?

June 14, 2024 4:09 AM ABC 17 News Team

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday issued a rare unanimous opinion rejecting a lawsuit that challenged the way the FDA regulates the abortion drug mifepristone.

Health department sees more people using cooling centers as temperatures rise in Columbia

June 13, 2024 6:41 PM Reagan Phillips

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) As the heat continues to hammer Mid-Missouri, more people are using cooling centers around Columbia. Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services spokesman Austin Krohn said the department has noticed more people using the several cooling centers around the city. The centers are open to anyone in the community. Air temperatures this

While inflation decreases, farmers and shoppers still feel its effects

June 12, 2024 11:42 AM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The latest inflation report shows the rising cost of goods is slowing, but the lasting effects from years of inflation are still impacting farmers and shoppers. The inflation report released Wednesday from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows grocery prices remained relatively the same from April to May after prices fell

Taking breaks is important to stay safe while working outside in heat, lawncare workers say

June 12, 2024 6:35 PM Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Outdoor workers are preparing to beat the heat in Mid-Missouri that will last into the weekend. Temperatures in Mid Missouri are expected to near 90 degrees Wednesday and hit ‘feels like’ temperatures of mid 90s up to 100 degrees Thursday and Friday, which prompted the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team to issue

Boil advisory issued for Camden County PWSD customers at Shawnee Bend

June 12, 2024 2:11 PM Ryan Shiner

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A boil water advisory was issued by the Camden County Public Water Supply District No. 4 for customers at Shawnee Bend, including Porto Cima and The Villages, a Wednesday press release says. According to the release and the district’s website, the advisory was issued because of low water pressure in the

June marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

June 10, 2024 9:36 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) June marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and nearly 7 million Americans live with the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association reports more than 11% of Missouri residents older than 65 years old suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. A neurologist at MU Health Care said several key factors help decide what is natural memory loss due to

Mental health help available for first responders after deadly standoffs in Boone County

June 10, 2024 11:52 AM Morgan Buresh

More than 80% of first responders experience traumatic situations while on the job, according to data from the Institutes of Health.

Summer Lunch Program provides children with free lunches

June 3, 2024 11:31 AM Morgan Buresh

Monday marks the first day of Columbia’s Summer Lunch Program to help provide students 18 and under with free, healthy lunches while school is not in session.

Naloxone education and distribution event held at The Blue Note

May 29, 2024 9:02 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A naloxone education and distribution event was held Wednesday at The Blue Note in Columbia. Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services staff provided training to those who attended on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer the nasal spray NARCAN on victims. The event is

Emergency room at MU Women’s Hospital to close June 10

May 29, 2024 8:15 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The emergency room at MU Health Care’s Women’s Hospital on Keene Street will close on June 10, according to the hospital’s website. The website states that MU Health Care will have a centralized emergency room at University Hospital and a separate emergency room for children. The centralized emergency room allows access to