Health

Avoiding A Summer Of Sizzling Sunburns

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:00:00 +0000

If you just grab the highest SPF sunscreen when you head out to the lake, you might not be making the best choice.

Most Infected Missourians Unaware Of Hepatitis C Status

Elana Gordon — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:15:46 +0000

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that only half of Americans identified as having had Hepatitis C ever follow-up with additional screening and treatment. But that’s only part of the problem, according to Bruce Burkett of the Missouri Hepatitis C Alliance. Nearly three in four people who have the disease don’t even know it.

Bill Expands Opportunities For Physician Assistants In Missouri

Elana Gordon — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:06:05 +0000

Physicians Assistants, or PAs, may soon have more opportunities to practice in Missouri. A bill headed to the Governor’s desk would provide more flexibility in how and where they provide care.Physicians Assistants are trained health workers who practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. Their training is shorter than that of a doctor, but they do exams, prescribe drugs and diagnose and treat illnesses.

Allergies: Indoor, Outdoor & Everywhere

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:29:09 +0000

With the temperatures soaring this week, spring has burst onto the scene… and that means lots of pollen.

Missouri's Medicaid Director Leaves

Elana Gordon — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:48:26 +0000

The director of Missouri’s Medicaid program, Dr. Ian McCaslin, has left.

Liberty Hospital Announces Layoffs, Citing Pending 'Health Care Storm'

Elana Gordon — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:39:42 +0000

More than 100 employees at Liberty Hospital will be out of a job by the end of next week. The hospital says the layoffs are a response to a perfect storm in health care right now. That includes reduced Medicare and Medicaid payments, changes in the way hospitals will be reimbursed for care under the federal health law and increasing demands for charity care as individual health insurance costs go up.

WyCo Effort Aims To Curb Infant Mortality

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Sun, 12 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

With one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, Wyandotte County is taking steps to fix that problem.

Baby Care: The First Few Months

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Sun, 12 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

When you're a parent—especially a first-time parent—you worry about all kinds of things you see in your baby's development.

Hospital Prices Vary Widely In Kansas City

Véronique LaCapra — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:56:37 +0000

For the first time, the federal government has released the prices that hospitals for the 100 most common inpatient procedures. The prices for a given procedure can vary by tens of thousands of dollars.

Missouri Trails Nation In Overall Well-Being

Elana Gordon — Thu, 09 May 2013 02:25:53 +0000

Missouri ranks among the bottom third of states when it comes to its overall well-being. Meanwhile, the Kansas City region has room for improvement. That’s according to the latest data from the polling group, Gallup.

How To Address Depression

Suzanne Hogan and Matthew Long-Middleton — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:32:47 +0000

According to the CDC 1 in 10 adults report being depressed and 11% of Americans over 12 years old take some form of antidepressant medication. Depression –is a mental disorder that is more severe than just sad feelings. It can last long periods of time, include feelings of hopelessness and uselessness. Cause chronic pain, headaches, sleeping and eating disorders, and thoughts of suicide. Depression makes day to day life seem pointless or impossible to handle.

Dr. Bruce Liese, a psychologist at KU Medical Center, explores the various elements of depression from diagnosis to treatment through to recovery.

Walking Across Kansas For Stroke Awareness

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Would you walk 500 miles to raise awareness for a cause? Would you walk 70 more?

North KC Hospital Dispute Appears Headed Toward Resolution

Elana Gordon — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:44:40 +0000

A heated feud over the fate of North Kansas City Hospital may soon be coming to a close. Hospital and city leaders are meeting Friday in hopes of resolving their differences. Moreover, recently passed state legislation and newly elected local officials appear to have diffused the controversy.

A Window Into The World Of Tourette's

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

People with Tourette's syndrome are often portrayed as spouting curse words uncontrollably, but there's more to the condition than that.

$2.5 million Gift for Patient Support at KU Hospital

Bryan Thompson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:42:51 +0000

A Leawood couple has donated $2.5 million to expand a patient-support program at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

A cancer diagnosis can be a bewildering event. Having a trained professional to guide the way can make a huge difference. That’s why Tom and Teresa Walsh are putting up the money to fund five, experienced nurse navigators at the KU Cancer Center.