Health 

Free medical clinic set for Luray High School
Free medical clinic set for Luray High School

Remote Area Medical will hold a free clinic on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Luray High School for anyone who needs medical, dental or vision care.

Communities across Appalachia band together for first-ever 13-state Narcan distribution event

Communities across Appalachia band together for first-ever 13-state Narcan distribution event

The first-ever 'Appalachian Save a Life Day' comes Thursday as Narcan can be purchased over the counter for nonprescription use.

Firefighters fear the toxic chemicals in their gear could be contributing to cancer cases

Firefighters fear the toxic chemicals in their gear could be contributing to cancer cases

Firefighters around the country are concerned that gear laced with PFAS, a group of toxic industrial compounds, could be one reason for cancer among their ranks.

Pig kidney works a record 2 months in donated body, raising hope for animal-human transplants

Pig kidney works a record 2 months in donated body, raising hope for animal-human transplants

While the dramatic experiment ended this week, it's raising hope for eventually testing pig kidneys in living patients.

Republican opposition to abortion threatens global HIV/AIDS program that has saved 25 million lives

Republican opposition to abortion threatens global HIV/AIDS program that has saved 25 million lives

Two decades ago, the U.S. government created what's described as the largest commitment by any nation in history to combat a single disease, AIDS.

There's no sign of widespread COVID-19 mandates in the U.S. Republicans are warning of them anyway

There's no sign of widespread COVID-19 mandates in the U.S. Republicans are warning of them anyway

Republicans are responding to a late summer spike in COVID-19 by raising familiar fears that government-issued lockdowns and mask mandates are on the horizon.

Raising awareness to help prevent suicide

Raising awareness to help prevent suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and officials are raising concerns about an increase in the number of suicides in the last year.

U.S. approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall

U.S. approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall

U.S. regulators have approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, shots aimed at revving up protection this fall and winter.

10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations as Biden pitches cost reductions

10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations as Biden pitches cost reductions

President Joe Biden says for many Americans the cost of one drug can be 'the difference between life and death' as his administration announces the first drugs that'll be targeted for price negotiations in an effort to cut Medicare costs.

Research shows increase in colon cancer rates among younger people

Research shows increase in colon cancer rates among younger people

A national poll released this week explored the reasons why 45-year-olds aren't getting screened for colorectal cancer despite national guidelines recommending that screening begin at this age.

Event focuses on dementia and Alzheimer's care presentation

Event focuses on dementia and Alzheimer's care presentation

The Hospice of the Piedmont and the Alzheimer's Association came together for the 'Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior' presentation on Thursday.

Study looking at using focused ultrasound to help people battling cocaine addiction

Study looking at using focused ultrasound to help people battling cocaine addiction

Scientists are launching a clinical trial to test low-intensity focused ultrasound to see if it can reprogram a part of the brain and reduce the desire for cocaine.

Pig kidney works in a donated body for over a month, a step toward animal-human transplants

Pig kidney works in a donated body for over a month, a step toward animal-human transplants

New York surgeons transplanted a pig's kidney into a brain-dead man and for over a month, it's worked normally.

Insurers won't cover new Alzheimer's treatment for some customers

Insurers won't cover new Alzheimer's treatment for some customers

Some private insurers are balking at paying for the first drug fully approved to slow mental decline in Alzheimer's patients.

U.S. suicides hit an all-time high last year

U.S. suicides hit an all-time high last year

About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever. That's according to new government data posted Thursday.

COVID-19 took a toll on heart health and doctors are still grappling with how to help

COVID-19 took a toll on heart health and doctors are still grappling with how to help

Heart attack deaths spiked early in the pandemic. Then research showed that for up to a year after a bout of COVID-19, some people can develop problems ranging from blood clots to irregular heartbeats to a heart attack.

Cyberattack disrupts hospitals and health care in several states

Cyberattack disrupts hospitals and health care in several states

Hospitals and clinics in several states on Friday began the time-consuming process of recovering from a cyberattack that disrupted their computer systems, forcing some emergency rooms to shut down and ambulances to be diverted.

Climate change made July hotter for 4 of 5 humans on Earth, scientists find

Climate change made July hotter for 4 of 5 humans on Earth, scientists find

More than 2 billion people felt added warmth from climate change every single day of the month.

Mobile mammography unit coming to Stanardsville

Mobile mammography unit coming to Stanardsville

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Sentara RMH Medical Center are teaming up with the Greene Care Clinic and the Greene County government for the effort.

Brain fog and other long COVID symptoms are the focus of new small treatment studies

Brain fog and other long COVID symptoms are the focus of new small treatment studies

The studies are small but each will tackle multiple possible therapies for things like brain fog, sleep disturbances and the theory that lingering virus may be at least partly to blame.

Blue blood from horseshoe crabs is needed for medicine, but a declining bird relies on crabs to eat

Blue blood from horseshoe crabs is needed for medicine, but a declining bird relies on crabs to eat

Conservationists worry a new approach doesn't go far enough in protecting horseshoe crabs that are a food for a declining bird species.

Doctors say students should get vaccines before returning to school

Doctors say students should get vaccines before returning to school

It’s almost that time of year where students will start preparing to go back to class, but doctors are saying they should prepare their immune systems as well.

How to beat the heat with tips from ACFR

How to beat the heat with tips from ACFR

This weekend, the heat index will reach as high as 106 degrees. The Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue expects to see multiple heat-related emergencies over the next few days.

Biden announces an advanced cancer research initiative as part of his 'moonshot' effort

Biden announces an advanced cancer research initiative as part of his 'moonshot' effort

President Joe Biden says the first cancer-focused initiative under his advanced health research agency is a 'major milestone in the fight to end cancer as we know it.'

Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat as record high temperatures persist across the U.S.

Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat as record high temperatures persist across the U.S.

With heat waves spreading across the United States, President Joe Biden has announced new steps to protect workers, improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.

Firefighters fight the heat with hydration

Firefighters fight the heat with hydration

Keeping firefighters hydrated is how they continue to keep the community safe.