Health Archives

Early detection is key when it comes to diagnosing breast cancer

October 5, 2023 10:05 AM Morgan Buresh

Pink flags and ribbons can be seen all over town during October but breast cancer is something that women need to be vigilant about year-round.

MU School of Medicine awarded $16 million to improve physician shortages in rural Missouri

October 4, 2023 11:45 AM David Kitchin

The federal Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine $16 million to help train new doctors to work in parts of rural Missouri.

MU Health Care expands services in northeast Missouri

October 3, 2023 11:09 AM Matthew Sanders

MU Health Care has reached an agreement with hospitals in Moberly and Kirksville that will expand its presence to northeast Missouri.

Groundbreaking for MURR expansion held Monday

October 2, 2023 9:14 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday for a new addition to the MU Research Reactor. The $20 million, three-story addition to the existing MURR North Building is being referred to as MURR West, according to a press release from the university. The building will expand the facility’s research and medical isotope production

MU Health sees largest vaccination event turnout ever Saturday

September 30, 2023 4:45 AM Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Nearly 1,900 patients attended Saturday’s vaccination event at MU Health, the most ever, according to spokesperson Eric Slusher. On Saturday, MU Health Care offered drive-thru flu shots, and the updated COVID-19 shot at South Providence Medical Park from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. MU Health Care will also be vaccine events at

Families could lose food benefits like SNAP, WIC in a government shutdown

September 29, 2023 12:06 PM Morgan Buresh

The countdown is on for a looming government shutdown with less than two days until the deadline.

COVID-19/Flu vaccine drive-thru clinic to be held Saturday at South Providence Medical Park

September 29, 2023 3:58 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care will hold its first-of-three drive-thru vaccine clinics on Saturday. The clinic will take place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at South Providence Medical Park. Those 12 years old and older will be able to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine. An MU Health Care spokesman said those 6 years older and

ABC 17 News Anchor Meghan Drakas shares her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease

September 29, 2023 10:47 AM Meghan Drakas

ABC 17 News Anchor Meghan Drakas is sharing her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease in the leadup to Columbia’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday.

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.

CVS able to keep pharmacies open during walkout protest

September 27, 2023 8:01 PM Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) On Wednesday CVS pharmacists across Missouri participated in a walkout to protest “inhumane working conditions and unsafe patient care.” This comes after similar walkouts were staged last week. Sources tell ABC 17 that at least 32 pharmacists in the Kansas City-metro area participated in the walk-out. ABC 17 News has spoken with

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.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you know someone experiencing Alzheimer’s?

September 26, 2023 2:16 AM ABC 17 News Team

Columbia’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is coming up on Saturday and ABC 17 News has partnered with advocates to help raise money and awareness to fight the debilitating disease.

Digging into Alzheimer’s Disease and the resources available to families

September 25, 2023 10:47 AM Meghan Drakas

Ahead of the Columbia Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, ABC 17 News is digging into Alzheimer’s Disease and the resources available to families.

CDC helps people get new COVID-19 shot free but some encounter obstacles

September 22, 2023 7:32 PM Marina Diaz

Millions of adults will continue to get their COVID-19 vaccines paid for as new shots targeting new strains are distributed.

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

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you get the new COVID-19 vaccine?

September 15, 2023 3:37 AM ABC 17 News Team

Federal officials have approved the new COVID-19 vaccine, which has been updated to target the strains of the virus that are currently circulating.

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