School shooting preparedness drills have become a regular, albeit uneasy, aspect of returning to school each year. These drills have been largely mandatory in numerous schools since the tragic mass shooting incident at Columbine High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, in 1999. Drills for lockdowns and active shooter simulations are distinct in their execution and...
Florida has reported its first confirmed dengue fever death of 2026. The Florida Department of Health identified Gay Small, a resident of Hillsborough County, as the victim. She passed away on September 4 from complications associated with a dengue infection, which led to septic shock and multi-organ failure. This occurred after she was bitten by...
A resident of Jasper County is voicing her concerns about the environmental and public health implications if the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Quality approves a NIPSCO permit. Barb Deardorff, residing in Kankakee Township, is worried about how the permit might impact her property value. She lives approximately two miles from the...
In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, thousands continue to face long-term health conditions. Researchers suggest this may stem from environmental toxins inhaled during and after the tragedy. The toxic dust cloud covering lower Manhattan has led to ongoing health issues. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights in...
BMI, or Body Mass Index, serves as a simple and cost-effective tool for doctors to assess body fat and screen for health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. However, the use of BMI is not without its challenges. Despite its widespread use, BMI often proves problematic and lacks nuance, leading to delayed detection of conditions...
A report released by Chicago’s leading anti-hunger organization highlights a worsening hunger crisis affecting the city and its surrounding areas. This issue is driven by affordability challenges, cuts to assistance programs, and economic pressures that hinder families from securing adequate food. According to data from the Greater Chicago Food Depository as of June 2026, around...
A Minnesota woman, Becky Drexler, faced an unexpected challenge when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, not long after losing her best friend Connie Dahl to the same disease. Dahl, at 51, fought against stage 4 ovarian cancer before passing away in September 2017. Drexler, deeply affected by her friend’s ordeal, started volunteering with the...
A new food pantry named Gathering Resources and Offering Vital Essentials (GROVE) has opened at Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove campus. This initiative aims to assist students facing food insecurity. Supported by local donations and partnerships with area food banks, the pantry also benefits from a student-led farming project involving raised gardens that provide fresh...
Health officials have mandated immediate cleaning of 10 rooftop cooling towers in the South Bronx after early tests found Legionella bacteria. This action follows a Legionnaires’ disease cluster that resulted in nine illnesses and one death. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene directed the cleaning and disinfection of these sites, which...
Understanding the origins of ovarian cancer can be crucial for prevention. Surprisingly, most deadly ovarian cancers originate not in the ovaries themselves, but in the fallopian tubes. These tubes are responsible for transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes can significantly lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer....