Health Archives - Page 5 of 36

Salvation Army Hoping and Praying For Deadline Giving

The agency is thankful for generous giving so far, but is tens of thousands of dollars behind in its fundraising goal, with program cuts a possibility.

December 21, 2023

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re making a push to the Christmas finish line, you are not alone. For some it means serious shopping down the stretch. For others it means serious giving. The kettles were ready for every sixpence they could get Thursday. To reach its funding goal, the Salvation Army needs $22,000 a day through Saturday. It is a…

Northland Boys & Girls Clubs Focus on Staying Active in the Winter

Virtual reality and four-square and bumper balls, oh my!

December 21, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northland Boys and Girls Clubs are putting a seven thousand five hundred dollar donation from Pier B Resort to good use. The Clubs had to get a little creative when looking for solutions to keep kids active in the winter according to Northland Boys & Girls Club Operations Director Emily Burnside, so they looked to the…

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is More Common Than Some Past Studies Suggest, CDC Says

December 8, 2023

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials on Friday released the first nationally representative estimate of how many U.S. adults have chronic fatigue syndrome: 3.3 million. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s number is larger than previous studies have suggested, and is likely boosted by some of the patients with long COVID. The condition clearly “is not a rare illness,” said…

Respiratory Virus Season

Immunization Season

December 7, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Health Department reports the number of flu cases so far this year has been low. But doctors stress the flu will take over. And it’s not just the flu that we need to be concerned with, it is now called the “respiratory virus season.” Suzy Van Norman a Disease Prevention Public Health Nurse…

Domestic Violence Prevention Gets Christmas Gifts and Big Check

Cenovus Energy teams up with United Way to help CASDA families.

December 6, 2023

Steve Goodspeed,

It is the time of year when a lot of people are doing good things for one another. And Wednesday was another example of that. Gift paper and gift wrappers came together in Superior to bring some Christmas to clients of CASDA, the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse. Cenovus employees and their families were wrapping gifts for twenty CASDA…

UMD Hosts Stressless Week To Help Students Decompress Before Finals

December 6, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

DULUTH, Minn. — Finals season is fast approaching and UMD is taking a unique approach de-stressing. The Kathryn A. Martin Library is doing something you wouldn’t expect; encouraging students to tear books apart. In the week leading up to finals, the campus library is holding several book shredding events for pupils to release their anger and frustration. They’ve set aside…

Duluth Firefighters Participate In Movember

November 30, 2023

Emma Propp,

DULUTH, Minn. — All month-long Duluth firefighters have been raising awareness for men’s health. It’s called Movember, where throughout the month of November firefighters have been sporting different styles and sizes of mustaches. All to raise awareness for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and cancer awareness. A fun fact is firefighters cannot have a beard because there needs to be…

‘Essentia East Market’ Healthcare Workers Want To Unionize

November 29, 2023

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia healthcare workers have announced their filing to join the Minnesota Nurses Association. The healthcare workers wanting to unionize include nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. They’re part of what’s called the Essentia East Market, which extends from Brainerd north to International Falls and Duluth, and east to Ashland and Hayworth, Wisconsin. The…

Hibbing Woman Thankful to be Celebrating Thanksgiving with her Family

November 23, 2023

Pat Brink,

HIBBING, Minn. — Carol Lee, had been to her doctor’s office many times for the difficulty she was having with her breathing. X-rays of her lungs had not detected anything troubling. That led to her having a CT scan. The scan showed there was a small nodule on the lung. That led to Dr. Swanson telling Carol to come in…

Gift Card Fraud Alert Ahead of Holidays

November 22, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s the holiday gift-buying season, and one gift that stands above the rest is a gift card. They have become one of the most popular gifts. But you may not realize that gift cards can be vulnerable to scammers. The National Retail Federation says gift cards are among the most requested gifts. Like most people, I appreciate…

UW-Superior Celebrates Red Cross Day

Students tried hands-only CPR and learned about AEDs

November 14, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Today was all about getting blood pumping and saving lives at UW-Superior! Community members were invited to celebrate Red Cross Day and learn about CPR. Students and staff tried their hands at doing chest compressions on manikins. Volunteer Brooke Defoe said her father, at the age of 35, passed away after going into cardiac arrest. She hopes…

Winter Adventurer and Youth in Action Aim to Inspire Students

Make a Difference Conference Held at the DECC Today

November 9, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

Duluth, Minn. — A backpacker from Duluth spoke to students in Duluth today about how they can impact the environment. Emily Ford is passionate about introducing people to the outdoors in safe and healthy ways. She was the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Scenic Trail in winter.Youth in Action, a group focused on the positive change young people…

More Fruit Pouches For Kids Are Being Recalled Because Of Illnesses That Are Linked To Lead

November 6, 2023

The Associated Press,

(AP) — Federal health officials are expanding an investigation into potentially lead-tainted pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree marketed for children amid reports of more illnesses and additional product recalls. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday it has received reports of seven illnesses in at least five states possibly linked to contaminated puree. Two new companies, Schnucks Markets of St. Louis and Weis…

Daylight Saving Time Affects On Health And Tips

November 3, 2023

Emma Propp,

MINNESOTA — Daylight Saving Time is this Sunday, November 5th which means clocks will be turned back an hour and we will get an hour extra of rest. But those aren’t the only changes the time difference will have on us. A licensed psychologist from St. Luke’s says it has an affect on mental health with decreased moods and energy…

Adam Johnson’s Death: Neck Guard Sales Rise; NHL Tribute Video; Panthers Set Up GoFundMe

October 31, 2023

Dan Hanger,

WARROAD, Minn. — Neck guards for hockey players are selling out in some Minnesota stores after the death of professional hockey player and Hibbing native Adam Johnson over the weekend. Video of the game in Sheffield, England showed Johnson suffering a serious neck injury from a skate after colliding with another player. After Johnson’s death, British hockey officials announced neck…

First Peer Respite House Coming To Superior, Help Needed To Finish It

October 27, 2023

Emma Propp,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A new opportunity is being built for those who struggle with mental health challenges and substance use. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI Lake Superior South Shore is working towards opening the first Peer Respite House in the area. They are calling it Hope Haven. Those struggling can stay up to 7 nights free of…

Attorney General’s Office Holds Roundtable On Proposed Duluth Hospital Mergers

October 25, 2023

Drew Kerner,

DULUTH, Minn.–Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Office held a community roundtable Wednesday evening at UMD about two separate hospital mergers in Duluth. Earlier this month Ellison announced it’s his responsibility to consider whether a healthcare transaction is in the public interest and seek court intervention if he finds that it is not. Essentia Health plans to merge with Marshfield Clinic…

“Bridging” Health in Duluth

Goal is to bring everyone together for healthiest community possible.

October 25, 2023

KQDS Staff,

If it takes a village to raise a child, then there are those who feel the same about what it takes for a community’s health care. That is what brought over one hundred and thirty people together in Duluth Wednesday. It was titled “Bridging Health Care,” and the goal is just that: bringing like-minded people and organizations together to make…

Minnesota Firefighters Meet in Duluth

Annual Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Kicks Off

October 19, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

DULUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of firefighters are in Duluth this weekend for the annual state fire chief conference. The event has firetrucks on display, as well as new firefighting technologies. They’re holding educational sessions on leadership, professional development, and safety measures. The fire conference is the largest of it’s kind in the Midwest. MnFIRE is a health and wellness advocacy…

Partnership to Improve Career Readiness in Healthcare

Essentia Health and St. Scholastica Team Up

October 18, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Scholastica’s new School of Heath Professions received a significant gift from Essentia Health today. Essentia is donating $1.2 million dollars to fund a permanent dean position. Dr. Michael Wendinger started as the inaugural dean this past July. Over 1,000 St. Scholastica alumni work at Essentia. The new partnership’s goal is to prepare future healthcare workers and…

Loggers Donate Timber To Raise Funds For Gillette Children’s Healthcare

October 18, 2023

Jenna VanSickle,

RICE LAKE, Minn. — Tuesday, loggers were busy preparing trees to be hauled away. The logs aren’t just headed for paper mills and construction sites. It is a joint fundraising effort between St. Louis County and Log-A-Load for Kids. The county is donating the timber and Log-A-Load is doing the heavy-lifting. It will raise funds for children with medical conditions…

Advocates Call Duluth’s Homeless Crisis An ‘Emergency,’ Ask For Public’s Help

October 10, 2023

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s homeless advocates and the non-profits they work for say chronic homelessness has hit crisis proportions, and they need help to turn the problem around. “Shelters are overrun and as a consequence people have to be outside,” said John Cole, executive director of CHUM. Cole said there’s not enough affordable housing in Duluth to meet the demand…

Essentia St. Mary’s Boosts Security

October 6, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia St. Mary’s announced Friday that it is implementing visitor badges beginning next Tuesday When entering the new facility on Second Street, you will need to stop at the Reception Desk. There, you will need to present a photo ID in order to receive the visitor badge. The badge is good for that day only and needs…

US Adds Another Option For Fall COVID Vaccination With Updated Novavax Shots

October 5, 2023

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another option for fall COVID-19 vaccination, updated shots made by Novavax. Updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna began rolling out last month, intended for adults and children as young as age 6 months. Now the Food and Drug Administration has added another choice –- reformulated Novavax shots open to anyone age 12 and…

Update on Lead Water Pipe Removal

October 4, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. –In May of his year the city began work on replacing all lead water pipes in the city. A pilot project was started on Eighth Street, running between 7th Avenue and 14th Avenue. An update on the pilot project was given on Wednesday. Jon Maruska, the Senior Engineering Specialist on the project, said so far, about 85 of…

Unseasonable Heat Cancels Twin Cities Marathon

October 1, 2023

The Associated Press,

Courtesy: Twin Cities In Motion MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A forecast that record high temperatures and humidity would create “extreme and dangerous” conditions prompted organizers to cancel two long-distance races Sunday in Minnesota’s two largest cities that were expected to draw up to 20,000 runners. The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon from Minneapolis to neighboring St. Paul had been expected to draw…

St. Louis County Hosts Free safeTALK Training

September 29, 2023

Lucretia Free,

DULUTH, Minn. — A free training session took place Thursday to help the families and loved ones of those contemplating suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. At any given time, one in 20 people — or 5% of the population have thought about it. safeTALK,…

WI Senator Explores Minnesota’s Cannabis Legalization Success

September 28, 2023

Dan Hanger,

A Wisconsin senator is exploring Minnesota’s cannabis legalization efforts in hopes of changing the law in the state. Sen. Melissa Agard, a democrat from Madison, visited Minnesota lawmakers Thursday to talk about their successes around legalizing marijuana. Sen. Agard released a statement saying in part: “Visiting with neighboring legislators who led the charge to legalize cannabis in Minnesota was invigorating….

St. Luke’s and United Steelworkers Local 9460 Reach Tentataive Agreement

September 28, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s has announced that it and United Steelworkers Local 9460 (USW) have reached a tentative contract agreement. The agreement covers technical workers at St. Luke’s. The USW will bring the tentative one-year contract to its approximately 140 members for their vote in the near future. In a statement on its website, USW Local 9460 said…

Twin Ports Dermatology Provides Tips To Protect Skin During Winter Months

September 22, 2023

Emma Propp,

DULUTH, Minn. — One local dermatology clinic tells us what we can do to protect our skin as cold weather is approaching. The barrier of our skin can get really dry and dehydrated from furnaces and cold winter air. A nurse practitioner at Twin Ports Dermatology recommends using soaps without fragrances in them and using moisturizing cream at least once…

Rural AIDS Action Network Syringe Exchange Program is 10 Years Old

September 20, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — 10 years ago, the Rural AIDS Action Network, or RANN started as a way to prevent HIV, HEP-C, and opioid overdose deaths. One of the ways RANN has helped is by collecting and distributing sterile syringes through its Syringe Service Program. The syringe exchange program in Duluth continues today. Last year in 2022, the program collected 347,000…

Biden Administration Announces $600M To Produce COVID Tests And Will Reopen Website To Order Them

September 20, 2023

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household — aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in coronavirus cases that has typically come during colder months. The Department of Health and Human Services says…

FDA Says It Needs More Research Before Deciding To Approve Nasal Spray To Treat Dangerous Allergies

September 20, 2023

The Associated Press,

(AP) — Federal regulators declined to approve a nasal spray to treat severe allergic reactions late Tuesday, calling for more research on what would have been the first alternative to injections using devices such as an EpiPen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Diego, that the company needs to conduct another study on repeat…

Homeless Advocates Convene At DECC As Another Duluth Encampment Is Pushed Out

September 18, 2023

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — Another growing homeless encampment in Duluth got torn down and moved out Monday. It comes as local and state leaders try to strike a balance between public health and safety, and caring for those facing their worst days without a roof over their heads. The lack of affordable housing in Duluth continues to be highlighted by the…

Women’s Course Record Broken At 2023 NorthShore Inline Marathon

September 17, 2023

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect for this weekend’s NorthShore Inline Marathon — the largest of its kind in North America. Tone Coughlin Photography The 26.2-mile course is much like the course for Grandma’s Marathon, starting in Two Harbors and taking racers along the Scenic North Shore before entering the tunnels of I-35 and ending by the DECC. The…

US Approves Updated COVID Vaccines To Rev Up Protection This Fall

September 11, 2023

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the newest shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. It’s part of a shift…

St. Luke’s Encourages Families To Keep Up With Vaccinations

September 8, 2023

Emma Propp,

DULUTH, Minn. — With kids going back to school and exposed to more germs, St. Luke’s is encouraging families to stay up to date on vaccinations. According to a St. Luke’s pediatrician, vaccinations can help prevent common infections such as measles, chicken pox, or whooping cough. The COVID and influenza vaccines can prevent day to day respiratory illnesses that can…

Local YMCA Branches Welcome Community For Free This Week

September 6, 2023

Emma Propp,

DULUTH, Minn. — As students are going back to school, the Duluth Area Family YMCA is also welcoming the community back. It is Welcome Week at the Y which means people can use all of their amenities and take any exercise classes free of cost. The join-fee is also waived this week. Locations include not only the Duluth branch, but…

Memory Screens Can Help Detect Dementia or Alzheimer’s Early

September 5, 2023

Drew Kerner,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin has around 120,000 people living with dementia, reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This number is suspected to double by 2040. But memory screens can offer some relief for early detection. “We get a lot of family that can call us about, you know, we’ve noticed some changes in our loved one.” Everyone ages,…

Pets Can Help Reduce Stress, Make Positive Impact On Mental Health

September 5, 2023

KQDS Staff,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are becoming more common among Americans under 30. The American Psychiatric Association says symptoms include loneliness and lack of motivation. One way to help with these symptoms is a four-legged companion. 86% of pet owners say their pets have made a positive impact on their mental health. A furry friend…

Klobuchar Continues to Push for Lower Prescription Costs

August 29, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was one of the Senators pushing the bill which allows the government to negotiate with drug companies on the prices the 50 million Medicare patients in the U.S. will pay. Ten drugs, which are all heavily advertised are the first of what will be many prescription drugs that are likely to see their…

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Can Help Ease Restless Nights

August 28, 2023

Drew Kerner,

DULUTH, Minn. — If you have problems with snoring, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or speech disorders it may stem from your tongue being in the wrong position of your mouth. Hygienists from Mount Royal Dentistry have been offering Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy since 2020 through individual sessions online. But this summer, seven adolescents attended group therapy sessions to work…

FDA Approves RSV Vaccine For Moms-To-Be To Guard Their Newborns

August 22, 2023

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Monday approved the first RSV vaccine for pregnant women so their babies will be born with protection against the scary respiratory infection. RSV is notorious for filling hospitals with wheezing babies every fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration cleared Pfizer’s maternal vaccination to guard against a severe case of RSV when babies are…

Local Woman Practices Alternative Forms of Medicine

August 21, 2023

Maria Vollom,

DULUTH, Minn. — Most healthcare systems utilize western (conventional) medicine with pharmaceutical drugs, radiation and surgery treatments. However, holistic medicine, which takes a more natural, whole-body approach is gaining recent momentum, according to the National Institutes of Health. A local Holistic Practitioner, who is also a retired Occupational Therapist, explained how the contrasting forms of medicine can co-exist successfully. “I…

Funding and Planning Aimed at Rural Health Care

Recruiting and training are two of the goals and challenges

August 21, 2023

Steve Goodspeed,

Health care in smaller, rural communities faces some special challenges. A federal grant has providers hoping it can help in some ways. A project for finding and developing health care employees was the subject of a meeting at St. Luke’s Monday. Wilderness Health is a collaborative group of independent, rural health care providers serving patients in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest…

Minnesota Nursing Homes Get Lifeline From State

August 16, 2023

Pat Brink,

DULUTH, MINN — On the last day of the Minnesota legislative session, the leaders of both parties got together and worked out an agreement to provide $300 million to help nursing homes across the state. State Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, talked with FOX 21 about the agreement that likely saved many nursing homes. The first-term representative knows the issues, she’d been…

Super Hero Week Makes Well Child Exams Fun

August 8, 2023

Emma Propp,

DULUTH, Minn. — Calling all superheroes! It’s time to get your kids in for back-to-school examinations before class starts. The Lake Superior Community Health Center is hosting Super Hero Week to make appointments fun for the kids. Services include well child exams, immunity shots, and health, nutrition, and vision screenings. Kids will get to play games and even walk away…

Bloody Bash Raises Thousands for ALS

August 6, 2023

Drew Kerner,

DULUTH, Minn. — For the 2nd year in a row Skyline Social and Games held their Bloody Bash in partnership with local nonprofit Never Surrender Inc. All in hopes to raise both awareness and money to help end the fight of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease Organizers say that this year’s turnout doubled from last…

Duluth Fire Causes $80,000 Damage, No Injuries

August 5, 2023

Pat Brink,

Duluth, Minn.– The Duluth Fire Department was on the scene of a fire at 128 E Locust St. in Duluth early Saturday morning. A caller told dispatch that they could see flames coming from the basement. When fire crews arrived they also saw flames coming from the basement window in front of the house. The homeowner told police he was…

Brain Fog And Other Long COVID Symptoms Are The Focus Of New Small Treatment Studies

July 31, 2023

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Institutes of Health is beginning a handful of studies to test possible treatments for long COVID, an anxiously awaited step in U.S. efforts against the mysterious condition that afflicts millions. Monday’s announcement from the NIH’s $1.15 billion RECOVER project comes amid frustration from patients who’ve struggled for months or even years with sometimes-disabling health problems — with…