News / Hot Topics

Skin Cancer Awareness

Fast Facts About Skin Cancer: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and includes different types. Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Even if it's cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. 

Adolescent and School Health

Schools and other youth-serving organizations can help young people adopt lifelong attitudes and behaviors that support their health and well-being.

Food Safety

Each year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food. CDC tracks foodborne illnesses and collaborates with state and local health departments and other federal agencies to investigate foodborne outbreaks. 

Zika Virus

Learn the symptoms, how Zika virus spreads and find current up-to-date information. Learn the symptoms, how Zika virus spreads and find current up-to-date information. Learn the symptoms, how Zika virus spreads and find current up-to-date information. Learn the symptoms, how Zika virus spreads and find current up-to-date information. Learn the symptoms, how Zika virus spreads and find current up-to-date information. Learn the symptoms, how Zika virus spreads and find current up-to-date information.

Cancer Screenings

Screening tests can help find cancer at an early stage,  before symptoms appear. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat or cure. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have grown  and spread. This can make the cancer harder to treat or cure.It is important to remember that when your doctor suggests a screening test, it does not always mean he or she thinks you have cancer. Screening tests are done when you have no cancer symptoms.

Infant Mortality

While the problem of infant mortality in the Bootheel is real, so are the possibilities to significantly reduce the number of deaths. Whether you are a community leader, a business owner, or an individual willing to help, everyone can take an active role in getting babies to their first birthday.

Overweight & Obesity

Overweight and obesity are increasingly common conditions in the United States. They are caused by the increase in the size and the amount of fat cells in the body. Doctors measure body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference to screen and diagnose overweight and obesity. Obesity is a serious medical condition that can cause complications such as metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cancers and sleep disorders. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition and whether you have complications. Treatments include lifestyle changes, such as heart-healthy eating and increased physical activity, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved weight-loss medicines. For some people, surgery may be a treatment option.

Smoking & Tobacco Use

Fast Facts

  • Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body.
  • Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death.
  • The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars each year on cigarette advertising and promotions.
  • Smoking costs the United States billions of dollars each year.
  • State spending on tobacco prevention and control does not meet CDC-recommended levels.
  • 15.1% of all adults (36.5 million people): 16.7% of males, 13.6% of females were current cigarette smokers in 2015.
  • Thousands of young people start smoking cigarettes every day.
  • Many adult cigarette smokers want to quit smoking.

Ebola

The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. Ebola virus disease (EVD) first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, one in what is now, Nzara, South Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.