Health 

UVA Health helping lead telehealth initiative for older adults
UVA Health helping lead telehealth initiative for older adults

A collection of toolkits, guides and research reports is now available to help health care providers and health systems implement age-inclusive telehealth services.

A lifetime of racism makes Alzheimer's more prevalent in Black Americans

A lifetime of racism makes Alzheimer's more prevalent in Black Americans

Black Americans are more likely than white Americans to develop Alzheimer's disease. They are less likely to be diagnosed and get treatment.

Mental health clinic offering help for new mothers, mothers-to-be

Mental health clinic offering help for new mothers, mothers-to-be

Professionals at the UVA Health System say pregnancy and the early months of motherhood are when mental-health conditions could develop for some women.

Spread of abortion restrictions in South puts pressure on Virginia

Spread of abortion restrictions in South puts pressure on Virginia

As more Southern states pass new restrictions on abortion, Virginia is poised to become an outlier in the region for its relatively permissive laws.

Drug overdoses in the U.S. slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs

Drug overdoses in the U.S. slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. rose slightly in 2022. That makes it the first year without a substantial increase since 2018.

Recalled Gerber baby formula was sent to U.S. retailers after recall began, wholesaler says

Recalled Gerber baby formula was sent to U.S. retailers after recall began, wholesaler says

A Gerber infant formula was recalled earlier this year over potential contamination of Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that could cause life-threatening infections in infants.

CTE cases in soccer players raise fresh questions about safety of heading the ball

CTE cases in soccer players raise fresh questions about safety of heading the ball

Four more former professional soccer players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Vending machines are the latest tool for fighting opioid overdoses

Vending machines are the latest tool for fighting opioid overdoses

Vending machines that have long been stocked with snacks are getting repurposed to distribute life-saving supplies to fight the opioid epidemic.

Marking Stroke Awareness Month

Marking Stroke Awareness Month

The two types of strokes are called ischemic and hemorrhagic, with ischemic being the most common form. That condition is caused by a blocked artery.

New blood donation rules allow more gay men to give in U.S.

New blood donation rules allow more gay men to give in U.S.

New blood donation rules will allow sexually active gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships to give in the U.S.

FDA panel backs over-the-counter sales of birth control pill

FDA panel backs over-the-counter sales of birth control pill

Federal health advisers are recommending that a decades-old birth control pill be sold without a prescription.

A skin patch to treat peanut allergies? Study in toddlers shows promise

A skin patch to treat peanut allergies? Study in toddlers shows promise

A new study finds an experimental skin patch shows promise to treat toddlers who are highly allergic to peanuts.

Statewide and local steps aim to combat fentanyl crisis

Statewide and local steps aim to combat fentanyl crisis

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order 26 into effect on Tuesday, which is also National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

Start mammograms at 40, not 50, a U.S. health panel recommends

Start mammograms at 40, not 50, a U.S. health panel recommends

A federal task force is recommending that women start getting every-other-year mammograms at age 40 instead of waiting until 50.

Pledge aims to foster understanding of mental health issues

Pledge aims to foster understanding of mental health issues

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital is calling on people to pledge to help reduce the stigma of mental health issues.

Over-the-counter birth control pill faces FDA questions

Over-the-counter birth control pill faces FDA questions

U.S. health regulators are weighing the first-ever request to make a birth control pill available without a prescription.

U.S. approves 1st vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts

U.S. approves 1st vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts

The U.S. has approved the first vaccine for RSV, shots to protect older adults.

Eli Lilly says experimental drug slows Alzheimer's worsening

Eli Lilly says experimental drug slows Alzheimer's worsening

Eli Lilly and Co. says its experimental Alzheimer's drug appears to slow the worsening of the mind-robbing disease.

Charlottesville Free Clinic now offering Spanish language neurology care

Charlottesville Free Clinic now offering Spanish language neurology care

The number of Latino patients at the Charlottesville Free Clinic increased by 17 percent from 2014 to 2022.

Kicked off Medicaid: Millions at risk as states trim rolls

Kicked off Medicaid: Millions at risk as states trim rolls

Some Medicaid recipients tell The Associated Press errors and confusion are leading to them being kicked off the federally and state-funded health coverage program.

BRHD launches new outreach network hub

BRHD launches new outreach network hub

The Blue Ridge Health District is launching a new outreach networking hub for local community health workers. 

U.S. adult cigarette smoking rate hits new all-time low

U.S. adult cigarette smoking rate hits new all-time low

Cigarette smoking dropped to another new all-time low last year, with 1 in 9 adults saying they were current smokers.

Legal Aid Justice Center helping Medicaid recipients as re-enrollment troubles begin

Legal Aid Justice Center helping Medicaid recipients as re-enrollment troubles begin

If someone is currently on Medicaid, they’ll start receiving one of three letters in the mail.

Drug for rare form of Lou Gehrig's disease OK'd by FDA

Drug for rare form of Lou Gehrig's disease OK'd by FDA

U.S. health regulators have approved a first-of-a-kind drug for a rare form of Lou Gehrig's disease.

Webinars on understanding Alzheimer's Disease

Webinars on understanding Alzheimer's Disease

While Alzheimer’s is the most commonly diagnosed form of dementia, it is not the only form of dementia and it is not just memory loss associated with old age.

Blue Ridge Poison Center treating kids less than 12 for attempted suicide

Blue Ridge Poison Center treating kids less than 12 for attempted suicide

Kids are using more over-the-counter medications like painkillers and allergy pills.