AMERICAN HEART MONTH Cardiovascular or heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A report by the CDC found that heart disease killed 382,776 men and 314,186 women in 2020 in the U.S. “It’s the numb...

By Megan Wehring Flu season came earlier than expected and experts say it’s not the time to wait on getting the vaccine.  Dr. Karen Smith “Flu is already here,” said Dr. Karen Smith, a family practice physician for Baylor Scott & White. “If you don’t already have your flu shot, you are behind. We ar...

By Megan Wehring  HAYS COUNTY – A local ER doctor provides families with tips on staying safe and healthy throughout the upcoming Labor Day weekend.  The first thing to be mindful of is the weather – even though the holiday weekend is at the beginning of September, temperatures remain high in Hays C...

By Megan Wehring HAYS COUNTY – Now is a good time for parents to look into having their child go in for a physical or wellness exam.  During the past two years, many children missed necessary check-ups and recommended vaccinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). F...

By Megan Wehring Fully vaccinated people will start to feel a sense of normalcy again. The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting. Exceptions include requirements by federal, state, l...

Staff Report Adolescents ages 12 through 15 could soon receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the vaccine for emergency use to include a younger age range. Teens at least 16 years old and all adults were already eligible. "[The...

Submitted Report Driving a car means freedom, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility and risk. For some teenagers, it can be difficult to fully appreciate that risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teenage drivers are more likely than older drivers t...

The Hays County Health Department received confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a local, travel-associated case of the Zika virus infection in Hays County, according to a Hays County press release. The individu...