Local Health News

November’s Health Hero: Gabriel Sanchez Teaches Seniors Tai Chi

By Beverly A. Zavaleta, MD—Medical Correspondent,University of Texas, School of Public Health

    Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta’s! Health Hero for November is Gabriel Sanchez, a Tai Chi instructor who is spreading his knowledge and dedication to health through Tai Chi classes at the Pavilion in Dean Porter Park. Gabriel... Full story

Recession Bites the Poor

Experts predict more children will need government food benefits

By JAZMINE ULLOA, The Brownsville Herald

  At least "from a technical perspective," as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in September, some economists believe the recession is very likely over. But a study released this week emphasized high levels of poverty among children... Full story

UTMB women’s cancer center reopened

By ANA LEY, The Monitor

What: UTMB Cancer Stop and Dysplasia Clinic at Renaissance Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Where: 620 S. Broadway St., McAllen Services: Cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, referral for mammograms, and follow-up for... Full story

Texas getting at least 2 million swine flu doses

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas has been allocated about 2 million swine flu vaccine doses from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Texas Department of State Health Services on Friday said the agency continues to order the state's... Full story

Local clinic to hold H1N1 workshop today

JAZMINE ULLOA/The Brownsville Herald

At least 10 of Dr. Satnam Bhondi’s patients in Brownsville this month tested positive for the flu. Dozens more came in with influenza-like symptoms — and all had questions about the H1N1 virus. Should I get tested for the flu? What... Full story

CDC: US swine flu vaccine outlook improving

MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — More than 22 million doses of swine flu vaccine are available now, and most Americans should soon find it easier to get their dose, U.S. health officials said Tuesday. "We're beginning to get to significant increases in the... Full story

Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (Your Health Matters!), Halloween Treat Control: How to have a healthy holiday

Beverly A. Zavaleta, MD—Medical Correspondent,University of Texas, School of Public Health

  When I was a kid, the loot from the Trick-or-Treat run at Halloween often included home-made cookies or candied apples. These days, concerns about hygiene and general safety prevent us from accepting or handing out anything that isn’t... Full story

Red tide still lingers on the Island

By CARL PHILLIPS, Island Breeze

The red tide that made Saturday and Sunday so miserable for people on the beach at Sandcastle Days started to dissipate this week, but was still evident Thursday afternoon. Dr. Donald Hockaday, working at the University of Texas-Pan American... Full story

CDC: 1 in 5 US kids had flu this month

MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — The latest government survey has found that 1 in 5 U.S. children had a flu-like illness earlier this month, and most of those cases likely were swine flu. A federal health official announced the findings Wednesday, at a... Full story

Flu on the rise

By JAZMINE ULLOA, The Brownsville Herald

The "new" flu season officially started Oct. 4, but health officials are saying the old one never really ended. Influenza-like illnesses have been high all year — and are now increasing. In fact, visits to doctors for flu-like illness are at... Full story