Missouri State Health

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  World Health Organization gets ready for ‘Disease X’

  The World Health Organization included “Disease X” in its most recent global plan for accelerating research and development during Health emergencies like the Ebola, SARS or Zika epidemics. The strategy and preparedness plan, known as the , was published last month. So what, exactly, is Disease X? This enigmatic name “represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human Disease,” according to the WHO   Read More ...

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  The more opioids doctors prescribe, the more money they make, CNN analysis finds

  As tens of thousands of Americans die from prescription opioid overdoses each year, an exclusive analysis by CNN and researchers at Harvard University found that opioid manufacturers are paying physicians huge sums of money -- and the more opioids a doctor prescribes, the more money he or she makes. In 2014 and 2015, opioid manufacturers paid hundreds of doctors across the country six-figure sums for speaking, consulting and other services   Read More ...

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  Michael Porter Jr. wore a cancer patient's name on his back. Then he went to meet her | The Kansas City Star

  Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. wore Lizzy Wampler's name on his T-shirt for Mizzou's annual Rally for Rhyan game. He recently visited with the young girl from Columbia who is battling bone cancer.   Read More ...

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  Truman, YMCA hope new KC clinic will become a national model of health partnership

  Truman Medical Center opened its first primary care clinic inside a YMCA Thursday, in a melding of Health maintenance and Health care that the two organizations hope will spread across Kansas City and ultimately nationally. The new University Health clinic is located inside the YMCA at 3800 E. Linwood Blvd. Bobbie Pearson, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, said it's filling a critical need   Read More ...

• Missouri medical school fights opioid crisis with training

  COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri's medical school is working to make sure students train to be responsible doctors in the face of the nationwide opioid crisis. Lucas Buffaloe is an assistant professor of clinical family and community Medicine at the MU School of Medicine. He lectures on opioids, their effects on the brain and how patients develop addictions, the Columbia Missourian reported   Read More ...

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  Signs and symptoms of kidney disease

  ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Today is World Kidney Day and proper kidney function is important for our bodies. The team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital is ranked one of the best in the country for their transplant center with one of the largest kidney transplant teams in the nation. Kidney disease carries no symptoms, which makes it difficult to detect. Nephrologist, Dr. Tarek Alhamad shares the risks of the disease, early detection, and ways to help prevent it   Read More ...

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  Woman says ‘medical meth’ to blame for failed drug test

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A New Mexico woman faces new charges after allegedly faking a prescription to fool probation officers after failing a drug test, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Ginger Sharpe, 34, who authorities had already charged with forgery in 2017, now faces two additional counts of forgery and identity theft. After her test came back positive for drugs in February, Sharpe allegedly told her probation officer that she had a prescription for meth, and even brought a pill bottle that read “methamphetamine 5 mg tablets   Read More ...

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  Women advancing cancer cures

  ST.LOUIS, MO - Thursday is International Women's Day and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is recognizing women that have made a difference in the medical field by advancing cancer cures. Dr. Gwen Nichols, medical officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Selina Chen-Kiang, professor of pathology, joined FOX2 this morning via satellite to discuss the gender barriers that need to be broken and the importance of nonprofit and medical centers joining together to promote more women scientist   Read More ...

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  Centene to buy at-risk primary care provider

  Clayton-based Centene Corporation on Monday announced it has agreed to acquire Community Medical Holdings Corp., an at-risk primary care provider that serves more than 70,000 Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Health Insurance Marketplace patients in the Miami area. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to a release, Centene has an option to fund the purchase with cash or a combination of cash and company stock   Read More ...

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  Family of Belleville opioid-addicted baby sues pharmaceutical companies

  BELLEVILLE, Ill. – An Illinois family of a baby born addicted to opioids is suing 20 pharmaceutical companies alleging they’re responsible for the mother’s addition to opioids and heroin. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that a baby, identified by his initials T.W.B., was born in March 2017 and diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, which can cause breathing and feeding problems. The lawsuit says baby T   Read More ...

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  First childhood leukemia patient ready for 'game-changing' therapy in St. Louis

  Jonathan Cook would rather be home playing with his dog, or really anywhere else, instead of becoming a medical pioneer. But later this month the 12-year-old with relapsed leukemia stands to become the first child to receive CAR-T cell therapy in St. Louis. The therapy of last resort, which involves reprogramming patients’ blood cells to fight their cancer, was approved on a fast track last August after favorable early results in young people with aggressive forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia   Read More ...

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  Doctors rule menstrual cramps as painful as heart attacks

  ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Menstrual cramps are the worst, right ladies? Well, your pain is no longer being dismissed. Doctors have finally ruled Menstrual cramps as painful as having a heart attack. Dr. Stephanie Tsai from SSM Health Medical Group at St. Clare Hospital joins us to talk about dealing with debilitating pain and how this ruling may legitimize the condition   Read More ...

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  SSM Health Medical Minute – Screening pregnant women for depression

  ST. LOUIS - The recent double murder-suicide in a south St. Louis neighborhood has drawn local attention to the subject of postpartum depression. One local OB/GYN has implemented a screening at the first prenatal visit to identify expecting moms who may be at risk for depression and anxiety. Dr. Katherine Mathews, SLUCare OB/GYN at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, runs a dedicated clinic for pregnant women who screen positive for depression   Read More ...

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  New state-of-the-art Olathe Health Cancer Center consolidates patient services | The Kansas City Star

  Just before the end of last school year, Olathe South High School history teacher Carol Nycklemoe received the news every woman dreads. She had breast cancer. Nycklemoe found out on a Thursday and by the following Tuesday was in surgery to remove the six-millimeter tumor. “If there’s one thing that I literally tell every woman I know is, not only get your mammogram, but get the 3D,” Nycklemoe said   Read More ...

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  Health Watch: Reducing Blood Pressure Medications

  Nearly one-third of American adults have high blood pressure and are at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and damage to the eyes, kidneys or blood vessels. The good news is there are many ways to lower high blood pressure and reduce your risk. Doctors at one of the only dedicated hypertension clinics in Missouri work to reduce blood pressure numbers as well as the number of drugs patients take every day   Read More ...

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  Endocrinologist explains Graves’ disease after Wendy Williams diagnosis

  ST. LOUIS, MO — Talk show host Wendy Williams is taking a break from her talk show after being diagnosed with Graves' disease. Williams is currently taking three weeks off to focus on her health. Endocrinologist Dr. George Thampy from St. Anthony's Medical Center says this announcement has brought attention to the disease Many are unaware of what it really is or how it affects the body   Read More ...

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  Missouri has the 6th highest lung cancer rate in the nation

  ST. LOUIS, MO — Every state must do more to combat lung cancer. That is the conclusion of the American Lung Association. A new report reveals the vital need for increased lung cancer resources. Missouri reports 6th highest lung cancer rates, and low early detection. There will be more than 5,700 people in Missouri diagnosed with lung cancer and almost 4,000 will succumb to the deadly disease in 2018   Read More ...

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  New baby chimp at Kansas City Zoo suffering from life-threatening viral infection | The Kansas City Star

  Few are escaping this cold and flu season unscathed. The Kansas City Zoo announced this week that Gracie, the baby chimpanzee born in KC on Jan. 9, has fallen ill with a life-threatening viral infection. Around a month after she was born, keepers removed her from the zoo's troupe of chimpanzees, including her mother, 21-year-old Teetoo. She currently is being cared for by zoo staff   Read More ...

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  Dog food, treats recalled for possible salmonella, listeria contamination

  NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Treats from two dog-food brands are being voluntarily recalled after the discovery of salmonella or listeria, according to the FDA. A voluntary recall has been issued for TruPet “treat me crunchy beef delight” pet treats. The 2.5-ounce pet treats may be contaminated with salmonella, according to an advisory from the Food and Drug Administration on Friday   Read More ...

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  Parents sue St. Louis Children's Hospital after baby girl dies of rare genetic condition

  ST. LOUIS • Stella Miles died at age 13 months after doctors at St. Louis Children's Hospital missed the life-threatening level of ammonia in her blood, according to a lawsuit filed by her parents last week. Susanne Michels and Michael Miles of Washington, Mo., sued four doctors in St. Louis Circuit Court along with the Hospital and Washington University, the doctors' employer, for wrongful death   Read More ...

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  Stray Rescue founder hospitalized after suffering aneurysm

  ST. LOUIS – Stray Rescue founder Randy Grim remains hospitalized after suffering an aneurysm last week. In a post on the group’s Facebook page, a Stray Rescue spokesperson said Grim had a five-hour surgery for a thoracic aortic aneurysm on Friday, February 23. Grim was at Randy’s Rescue Ranch with an employee when the aneurysm occurred. The employee rushed Grim to the hospital   Read More ...

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  Ex-hospital worker takes plea deal in painkiller theft case

  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ A former Des Moines hospital pharmacy worker accused of stealing painkillers from hundreds of patients has pleaded guilty to product tampering. The Des Moines Register reports that 29-year-old Victor Van Cleave entered the plea Monday. In exchange, prosecutors will drop a charge of obtaining fentanyl by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge. His sentencing is scheduled for July 10   Read More ...

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  Free app and thermometer helps parents track spread of illnesses

  AFFTON, MO - There's a new way to track the flu or other illnesses and how they spread. Mesnier Primary School is one of 40 St. Louis area schools chosen to try out the new and free Kinsa app. It was recently accepted into the company’s FLUency program. School nurse Karen Laubert said the app when downloaded comes with a free thermometer   Read More ...

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  The CDC says flu season has peaked nationally. But guess where it's still rising. | The Kansas City Star

  Don't be lulled by reports that this year's awful flu season is finally on the wane. Here in Kansas City, that's only half true. After weeks of influenza unlike anything the country had seen in almost a decade, the Centers for Disease Control said last week that flu cases may have finally peaked nationally. But while Missouri appears to be joining the rest of the country on the downslope, cases in Kansas are still stubbornly sticking at their highest levels   Read More ...

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  Kevin Smith survives massive ‘widow-maker’ heart attack, posts selfie from hospital bed | The Kansas City Star

  Filmmaker Kevin Smith has survived what he called a “massive heart attack.” The 47-year-old “Clerks” writer-director posted the news, along with a selfie taken in a hospital bed, early Monday. “After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack,” he wrote. “The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka “the Widow-Maker”)   Read More ...

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  Looking for a nursing home? Here’s how to separate the good from the bad | The Kansas City Star

  Fred Rich did not check Medicare’s ratings for nursing homes before he picked one in Overland Park last month after breaking his back. The 71-year-old from Kansas City now says that doing so might have saved him a lot of frustration. “The absence of staff, particularly well-trained staff, competent staff, makes it a very difficult place to live,” he said. Had Rich gone to the federal Nursing Home Compare website, he would have found rankings for nursing homes along with inspection information   Read More ...

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  Legionnaires’ disease investigated at Illinois capitol

  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) _ Illinois Health officials are investigating the state Capitol Complex and other Springfield-area locations for the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease after an Illinois resident diagnosed with it traveled to the city last month. The Illinois Department of Public Health issued the advisory Saturday, saying water samples recently collected from the Capitol Complex tested positive for Legionella bacteria   Read More ...

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  Elephant calf dies at the St. Louis Zoo from viral infection

  ST. LOUIS, MO – A 6-year-old Asian elephant calf has died at the St. Louis Zoo. Kenzi was diagnosed with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus in February. EEHV is a viral infection shown to be fatal to elephants. She immediately started receiving anti-viral medication and round-the clock care after the diagnosis, but died Saturday. “With a heavy heart, the Saint Louis Zoo has said goodbye to Kenzi, a 6-year-old Asian elephant calf who was the daughter of Raja and Rani   Read More ...

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  Fight cancer with these black bean tacos

  ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Start cooking with Cancer prevention in mind in February for National Cancer Prevention Month. Alexandra Caspero from Delish Knowledge shows us how to make Cancer-fighting black bean tacos. Eating one serving of beans a day can decrease your risk for breast, prostate and colon Cancer. 10-Minute Black Bean Tacos. 1/2 large diced onion 1 can   Read More ...

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  Congress solved Kansas’ dialysis clinic delays. Will the solution be good for patients? | The Kansas City Star

  Dialysis patients in Kansas won’t have to wait as long for new clinics to open in the future, after Congress passed a law allowing the clinics to hire private-sector inspectors. But some health care experts are concerned about what that might mean for patient safety. The provision was included in the budget bill President Donald Trump recently signed. It was promoted by U   Read More ...

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  Missouri Senate approves Drug Take-Back Program

  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri is one step closer to having a Drug Take-Back Program. The state Senate approved a proposal that will make it easier for people to get rid of unfinished prescriptions by dropping them off at federally authorized disposal sites. The bill would also limit some initial opioid prescriptions to no more than seven days unless the doctor believes a longer prescription is necessary and there is no suitable alternative   Read More ...

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  KanCare changes leave seniors struggling to get, keep Medicaid coverage | The Kansas City Star

  Advocates for elderly Kansans say a number of changes the state made to streamline the Medicaid application and renewal process have actually created a maze that seniors are getting lost in. In 2015, Kansas moved to a new computer system for applying for Kansas Medicaid, or KanCare. Then it funneled applications and annual reviews that used to be handled in regional offices into a single “KanCare Clearinghouse” in Topeka   Read More ...

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  Missouri bill would criminalize pregnant women who do drugs. Would that help or hurt? | The Kansas City Star

  Lucas Johnson was nearly born on a bathroom floor where meth was being cooked. His mother was a drug user and had no prenatal care while she was pregnant. He was born prematurely and weighed just 1 pound 10 ounces. Now, at nearly 3 years old, he weighs 22 pounds and has a long list of medical issues, including developmental delays, astigmatism and seizures   Read More ...

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  KC Royals' Nathan Karns healthy after season-ending surgery | The Kansas City Star

  One day this winter, Nathan Karns went out to test his right arm. He had not stepped on a mound or thrown a baseball in months. His body was missing a small section of rib, removed during a surgery last summer. He planned to complete a detailed winter throwing program before spring training, teaching his arm how to work once more   Read More ...

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  Missouri mental health department admits mailing error

  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Mental Health is notifying 1,000 people that some personal information might have been mailed to an incorrect address. The department said in a statement Friday that the information released included only the participants’ names, not medical or financial information. The incorrect mailing was caused by a clerical error in printing mailing labels. The error involved mailing labels on survey questionnaires mailed on Jan   Read More ...

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  Local health professional discusses mental health after tragedy

  ST. LOUIS, Mo. - President Donald Trump responds to Florida shooting and discusses commitment to the issue of mental Health. In light of recent events, Licensed Professional Counselor Tony Bass from SSM Health DePaul Hospital talks about mental Health and taking care of yourself after a tragedy.   Read More ...

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  Budget undercuts Trump focus on mental health, school safety | The Kansas City Star

  President Donald Trump is calling for a focus on mental health and school safety in response to shootings like the one that took 17 lives in Florida, but his budget would cut funding in both areas. Trump's latest budget would slash the major source of public funds for mental health treatment, the Medicaid program serving more than 70 million low-income and disabled people   Read More ...

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  ACLU sues Kansas over KanCare's hepatitis C drug denials | The Kansas City Star

  The American Civil Liberties Union is suing Kansas officials, claiming that the state’s Medicaid program denies hepatitis C treatments until patients are severely ill. The federal class action suit filed Thursday says that people on KanCare often can’t get coverage for drugs with a 90 percent success rate for curing the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. “KanCare’s denial to provide essential medical care to individuals suffering from HCV is grossly negligent and nonsensical,” Lauren Bonds, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas, said in a prepared statement   Read More ...

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  Prostate cancer drugs delay spread of disease

  ST. LOUIS, MO- Prostate Cancer drugs can delay the spread of the disease. Dr. Russell Pachynski, with the Siteman Cancer Center, joined us on FOX 2 News in the Morning with the details.   Read More ...

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  Jen McDaniel shares tips for lowering heart disease

  St. Louis, MO- Licensed Dietitian Jen McDaniel, with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, shares some pointers on simple ways to cut salt from our diet and most importantly lowering risks for heart disease.   Read More ...