Mississippi now has the nation's highest teen birth rate, displacing Texas and New Mexico for that lamentable title, a new federal report says. ...more

January 7, 2009

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year. Of those, about 200,000 people require hospitalization and 36,000 ultimately die. But imagine if, in addition to the stresses of cold and flu season, American health providers were annually confronted with widespread outbreaks of malaria or a host of other diseases that could spread into the United States due to global warming. ...more

January 3, 2009

Smokers making a New Year's resolution to quit can get help from Tobacco Free Florida. Callers to the toll-free Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW who enroll in counseling are able to choose from patches, gum and lozenges - a combination that doubles the chances a smoker will quit. ...more

December 31, 2008

Tampa General Hospital's Family Care Center will administer flu shots on a first-come, first-served basis from 1 to 4 p.m. The supply of vaccine is limited and will be available only to people 18 or older. ...more

December 16, 2008

Osteoporosis, a disabling condition characterized by lessened bone mass and density that causes bones to be more brittle, affects 10 million Americans. An additional 34 million people with low bone mass are at high risk for the degenerative disease. ...more

December 13, 2008

Get a flu shot for the price of two nonperishable food items — more if you're feeling generous — Dec. 15 through 20 at Bayfront Convenient Care Clinics in Pinellas County. The offer is open to ages 2 and older, and the food goes to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. ...more

December 5, 2008

Measles deaths worldwide declined dramatically to about 200,000 a year, continuing a successful trend, global health authorities reported Thursday. ...more

December 5, 2008

Plenty of people wish they could prevent their younger self from making a big mistake. ...more

December 4, 2008

About one in 10 doctors who vaccinate privately insured children are considering dropping that service largely because they are losing money when they do it, according to a new survey. ...more

December 1, 2008

The first order of business for the city council Friday: a shot in the arm. ...more

November 22, 2008