Health Archives

Novavax available at MU Health Care clinics as COVID-19 community level remains steady

August 19, 2022 11:40 AM Hannah Falcon

MU Health Care is offering the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine to those 18 years and older who have not already received a vaccine.

Doctors share how parents can spot digital eye strain in children

August 18, 2022 8:25 PM Kennedy Miller

Millions of children are using computers, which doctors say could lead to digital eye strain.

MU Health Care names new chief financial officer

August 18, 2022 9:15 AM Zachary Farwell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) University of Missouri Health Care will soon have a new financial leader. The health care provider announced Thursday that Dustin Thomas will take over as the next chief financial officer. Thomas will join MU Health Care on Sept. 15 after working for the University of Texas Medical Branch. He currently serves as

Mid-Missouri schools offering resources to students to combat ‘mental health crisis’

August 18, 2022 2:33 AM Marina Diaz

Mid-Missouri schools are hiring counselors and are partnering with local mental health clinics, to combat what child and adolescent psychiatrists are calling a mental health crisis.

Vaccinations required for Mid-Missouri students before returning to school

August 16, 2022 6:42 AM Ben Fein

Health officials with MU Health Care are reminding parents across Missouri to vaccinate their children, before returning to the classroom.

Food bank to collect donations Friday for Boone County students

August 12, 2022 5:55 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri plans to collect donations Friday for Boone County students. Workers will host the Pack School Pantries Food & Fund Drive at the Columbia Mall in the northeast parking lot near Wendy’s from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The donations are expected to go to

Hundreds expected to attend conference in Columbia about substance abuse disorders

August 11, 2022 6:47 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) An organization that helps people fight substance abuse disorders will gather in Columbia Thursday and Friday. The Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers (MCRSP) is scheduled to hold its Central Region Conference at the Stoney Creek Hotel. Events and speakers are expected to start at 8 a.m. and run through 4 p.m.

Viral video shows the importance of helmet safety in youth sports

August 10, 2022 4:55 PM ABC 17 News Team

Following a viral video of a little leaguer getting hit in the head by a pitch and then hugging the pitcher, it’s helpful to know which helmets are best for kids to keep them safe.

Heavy rain and high humidity could lead to an increase in mosquitoes and ticks in Mid-Missouri

July 26, 2022 4:47 PM Kennedy Miller

The Department of Conservation also plays a role in preventing the widespread tick and mosquito bites here in Missouri.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you get the monkeypox vaccine?

July 26, 2022 2:33 AM ABC 17 News Team

While there are very few Monkeypox cases in Missouri, some Health Departments across the state will receive the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine.

Monkeypox vaccines sent to health departments across Missouri

July 25, 2022 4:42 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) While there are very few monkeypox cases in Missouri, some Health Departments across the state will receive the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine. The City of Kansas City Health Department is one of the “hubs” that will be receiving the vaccines. Dr. Robin Blount, Chief Medical Officer with Boone Health, said the monkeypox virus

Health experts talk opioid and fentanyl crisis in Missouri

July 24, 2022 7:45 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The opioid epidemic continues to spread across the state of Missouri, and experts say fentanyl use is becoming more widespread. The Columbia Police Department said it has found trace amounts of fentanyl in nearly all illicit drugs, including cocaine, fake pills, and marijuana products. The Columbia/Boone County Health Department and CPD reported

Hundreds attend Boone County Fair amid extreme heat advisory

July 23, 2022 8:37 PM Leila Mitchell

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Across the state people are facing dangerously high temperatures, but not even the heat wave could stop hundreds of people from attending the last night of the Boone County fair Saturday. Temperatures hit 102 degrees in Columbia Saturday. While people enjoyed the carnival they also had to stay protected from the extreme

Safety and security top priority for Boone County Fair

July 20, 2022 6:11 PM Leila Mitchell

Hundreds will head to Boone County Wednesday as the county fair heads into its second night, and organizers say safety and security is on everyone’s minds.

New 9-8-8 Suicide Lifeline benefits and risks explained

July 19, 2022 7:20 PM Leila Mitchell

It now only takes three numbers 9-8-8 to reach a trained mental health professional across the state but some people on the internet are saying there are some risks.

Labor shortage is affecting emergency services response times

July 18, 2022 6:53 PM Marina Diaz

An ongoing labor shortage is to blame for longer response times for emergency services in both 911 dispatchers and Columbia Police Department.

CDC suggest getting boosted following the rise of Omicron subvariants

July 17, 2022 5:45 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) According to most recent CDC Data, two Omicron Subvariants are to blame for the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country. The CDC says the subvariants BA.5 and BA.4 can spread more easily then previous sub-variants. The subvariants represent an estimated 16.3% and 65.0% of the SARS-CoV-2 variants as of the week ending July 9, 2022 according to

SSM Health names new regional president for Mid-Missouri

July 13, 2022 4:01 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Kenneth (K.C.) DeBoer named Mid-Missouri Regional President for SSM Health.

Columbia has partnered with MoDOT to conduct a road safety audit for Route B/Paris Road

July 12, 2022 9:53 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) The City of Columbia Public Works has commissioned a safety audit for Route B/Paris Road, and is looking for public comment following multiple crashes that resulted in serious injury or death. The road audit is a part of its Vision Zero Plan. Vision Zero is a transportation policy goal and data-driven strategy

Mask mandates not on the table in Boone County public buildings despite rising COVID numbers

July 8, 2022 8:54 PM Kennedy Miller

Despite rising COVID-19 case numbers in Missouri, Columbia and Boone County Public Health and Human Services said Friday that officials haven’t had any conversations about bringing a mask mandate back to government buildings.