Health Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you been sick this season?

November 30, 2023 5:09 AM ABC 17 News Team

Plenty of upper respiratory illnesses are going around in Mid-Missouri.

WHAT’S GOING AROUND: Doctors seeing upper respiratory illnesses, RSV and the flu

November 29, 2023 11:17 AM Erika McGuire

Here is a roundup of the illnesses doctors say are spreading around Mid-Missouri.

RECALL ROUNDUP: Federal regulators recall applesauce pouches, eyedrops and children’s nightgowns

November 16, 2023 10:55 AM Erika McGuire

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its recall after the pouches can lead to possible lead exposure.

Nurse practitioners want restrictions lifted more even after new law

November 13, 2023 11:34 AM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Nurse practitioners continue to advocate for less restrictions, even after a new law lifted some this year. Missouri’s governor is honoring nurse practitioners as new law eases restrictions on their practice. Gov. Mike Parson on Monday proclaimed this week, Nov. 12 through 18, as Nurse Practitioners Week in Missouri. A new

297 Missourians in jail await mental health evaluations

November 10, 2023 6:46 PM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Mental Health is experiencing an increase in individuals in jail awaiting a mental health evaluation. According to Jeanette Simmons, the deputy director for the Division of Behavioral Health, 297 people in Missouri jails are currently waiting for a mental-health evaluation before they can go to trial. Those people

Last MU Health Care drive-thru vaccination clinic held Saturday; 1,679 updated COVID-19 vaccines given so far

October 27, 2023 6:58 PM Ryan Shiner, Gabrielle Teiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The final of three MU Health Care drive-thru vaccine clinics began at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at South Providence Medical Park. At the event, patients were able to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine. According to an email from MU Health spokesman Eric Slusher, at the previous two

QUESTION: Do you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer?

October 27, 2023 3:30 AM ABC 17 News Team

This month ABC 17 News has been highlighting the ongoing fight against breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Blood drive honors resiliency of Mid-Missouri burn victim

October 21, 2023 4:48 PM abc17news-Newsroom

CENTRALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Red Cross held a blood drive in honor of a firefighter who was severely burned at a bonfire in Mexico, Missouri. The blood drive was held Saturday in Centralia at the Holy Spirit Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MU Health Care shared the story of Eli Beasely, a professional

Men have small chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer

October 19, 2023 11:07 AM Morgan Buresh

While the chance of a man being diagnosed with breast cancer is slim, it’s not impossible.

Burrell expands behavioral health crisis center hours to 24/7

October 19, 2023 12:31 PM Morgan Buresh

Burrell Behavioral Health has expanded its crisis center hours to 24 hours a day to provide anyone with mental health assistance in the late hours of the night or early morning

Updated COVID-19 vaccine available at Columbia/Boone County PHHS

October 19, 2023 4:57 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available at the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, according to a Thursday press release from the department. Appointments to get the new vaccine from Pfizer can be made by calling 573-874-7279, according to the release. Appointments will be held at the PHHS building on

Athletes receive free hearing exams at Missouri Special Olympics

October 14, 2023 7:34 PM abc17news-Newsroom

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) About 30,000 Special Olympics athletes have hearing loss, but 83% of them have never had a hearing examine, according to the Special Olympics and Starkey. Hearing aid manufacturer Starkey hosted hearing screenings during the Special Slympics games Saturday in Jefferson City. Athletes got hearing tests and can qualify for free hearing

Dubois named new Boone Health CEO

October 13, 2023 8:40 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone Health Board of Directors stated in a Friday press release that Brady Dubois will be Boone Health’s next CEO. The release states his start date is Monday, Nov. 20. The release states he has 16 years of experience in health care leadership and was recently the CEO of Detroit Medical

MU Faculty Council approves statement asking MU Health Care to ensure forms of transgender health care for minors

October 12, 2023 7:57 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The MU Faculty Council on Thursday voted 22-1 in favor of a statement that opposes MU Health Care’s recent announcement that it would stop prescribing puberty blockers to current minor patients. MU Health Care made the announcement in August after a law banning gender-affirming care for Missouri youth went into effect. The MU

Columbia woman shares treatment journey during her battle with breast cancer

October 12, 2023 3:24 PM Morgan Buresh

It was a normal day at the gym for Columbia woman Leigh Ann Clayton when she noticed a couple of lumps around her armpit.

How artificial intelligence is being used to research Alzheimer’s disease

October 11, 2023 10:50 AM Meghan Drakas

Some researchers in Columbia studying Alzheimer’s disease are using artificial intelligence to help identify the “most important factors.”

Mid-Missouri resources available for people affected by Alzheimer’s and their families

October 9, 2023 10:14 AM Meghan Drakas

This week, ABC 17 News is continuing our ‘Living with Alzheimer’s’ coverage leading up to the Jefferson City Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday.

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.

South Jersey sisters shining a light on the need for early detection breast cancer screenings

October 5, 2023 10:43 AM CNN Newsource

By STEPHANIE STAHL, BRAD NAU Click here for updates on this story PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are now more breast cancer survivors in the U.S. than ever, with four million and counting. It’s all about early detection and better treatments aiming to save even more lives.

US cancer centers still see ‘widespread’ shortages of life-saving chemo drugs, survey finds

October 5, 2023 8:00 AM CNN Newsource

By Jacqueline Howard, CNN (CNN) — Some of the nation’s largest cancer centers are reporting little improvement in an ongoing shortage of critical chemotherapy drugs in the United States. Among 29 cancer centers across the country, 72% reported a shortage of the chemotherapy medication carboplatin, and 59% are still seeing a shortage of the drug cisplatin, according