Health https://www.durangoherald.com/section/southwest-life-2-health/feed/ Stay informed with the latest breaking news, local stories, sports, business, weather, and community events from Durango, Southwest Colorado, and the Four Corners region. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:50:20 -0600 en-us 30 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/health-fair-to-be-held-at-la-plata-county-fairgrounds/ Free, affordable preventive health screenings to be offered Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:17:52 -0600 E9E6E6E2-3671-4CE5-AE34-2B399992C8CE https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/study-casts-more-doubt-on-use-of-high-dose-vitamin-d-pills/ More research suggests it’s time to abandon the craze over vitamin D. Taking high doses of “the sunshine vitamin” doesn’t reduce the risk of broken bones in generally healthy older Americans, Harvard researchers reported Wednesday. (Mark Lennihan/Associated Press file)Mark Lennihan... Thu, 28 Jul 2022 01:00:38 -0600 A1F6E11C-2B03-5AE8-823C-037B46550334 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/rates-for-measles-other-vaccinations-dip-for-kindergartners/ According to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, April 21, 2022, a smaller portion of U.S. children got routine vaccinations required for kindergarten during the pandemic, raising concerns that measles and other preventable... Fri, 22 Apr 2022 22:11:02 -0600 57D09E6C-A2D3-5C06-9745-17C79A4AFE80 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/ba-2-variant-takes-over-whats-known-about-it/ Pharmacist Karen Flynn gives a second Moderna booster shot to her mother, Joann Pangonis, of New Boston, Pa., at Morris Drug in Mahanoy City, Pa., on Friday, April 1, 2022. An extra-contagious version of the omicron coronavirus variant has taken... Sat, 09 Apr 2022 04:20:15 -0600 17DCEEEF-37EC-5B58-8432-67EC768FF359 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/into-the-wild-animals-the-latest-frontier-in-covid-fight/ A wildlife team covers a young buck's head with a cloth to help calm it before testing the deer for the coronavirus and taking other biological samples in Grand Portage, Minn. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Scientists are concerned that... Fri, 01 Apr 2022 21:40:07 -0600 2BB6DD77-07C7-5251-BDB9-4F4D9D3C9BF1 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/pandemic-took-a-toll-on-teen-mental-health-study-says/ A student walks down a hallway between classes at a high school in Kansas City, Kan., on the first day of in-person learning Wednesday, March 30, 2021. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released... Fri, 01 Apr 2022 21:29:15 -0600 3FFDBF9E-A549-52BC-8CAD-490E3E3323E9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/death-toll-surpasses-6-million-worldwide-for-pandemic-now-in-3rd-year/ A worker handles a coronavirus test sample at a private testing site in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. The official global death toll from COVID-19 is on the verge of eclipsing 6 million — underscoring that the pandemic, now in... Mon, 07 Mar 2022 15:22:17 -0700 2E3ECA43-05D8-58DA-A259-0A99CDDD3727 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/cdc-many-healthy-americans-can-take-a-break-from-masks/ A shopper wearing a protective mask as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus selects fruit at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. The majority of healthy Americans, including students in schools, can safely take... Fri, 25 Feb 2022 22:20:14 -0700 4EC3DA80-A8BF-5F37-B3DE-371A05F5A8A5 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/over-half-of-u-s-abortions-now-done-with-pills-not-surgery/ Containers of the medication used to end an early pregnancy sit on a table inside a Planned Parenthood clinic, Oct. 29, 2021, in Fairview Heights, Ill. A report released Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, says most U.S. abortions are now done... Fri, 25 Feb 2022 22:15:18 -0700 578A9924-2B7B-596C-AD8A-C5A7FD6C5728 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/covid-19-vaccine-in-pregnancy-may-protect-babies-after-birth/ A health worker administers a dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic in 2021 at the Reading Area Community College in Reading, Pa. COVID-19 shots during pregnancy may protect babies after their born and lead to fewer... Tue, 15 Feb 2022 23:20:15 -0700 4A0E68A9-1D3F-541A-9C96-F53B50986EE7 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/how-to-prevent-early-birth-study-explores-sugarless-gum/ A dentist holds a model of teeth and a toothbrush in Seattle. For many years, studies have shown that gum diseases are tied to premature birth. Scientists believe bacterial infections in the mouth can increase inflammation in the body, which... Mon, 07 Feb 2022 17:25:29 -0700 BAD9A1F6-6E34-5EC3-AB42-CB316BBC55F0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/u-s-gives-full-approval-to-modernas-covid-19-vaccine/ A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is displayed on a counter at a pharmacy in Portland, Ore., Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. U.S. regulators have granted full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine after reviewing additional data on its safety and... Mon, 31 Jan 2022 19:56:43 -0700 E7D875E4-75DD-5050-B61A-2363F5284CD4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/booster-shots-needed-against-omicron-cdc-studies-show/ Three new U.S. studies offer more evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the omicron variant, at least among people who have received booster shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the studies, Friday. Jan. 21,... Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:04:56 -0700 48FD2929-8A32-5665-900E-D925DA2F89DA https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/cdc-encourages-more-americans-to-consider-n95-masks/ Registered nurse Scott McGieson wears an N95 mask as he walks out of a patient’s room in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson/Associated Press)Elaine Thompson NEW YORK – U.S. health... Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:25:31 -0700 62E0B002-B0DB-557A-AD90-7F10E1FB50A8 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/in-1st-surgeons-transplant-pig-heart-into-human-patient/ In this photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, members of the surgical team show the pig heart for transplant into patient David Bennett in Baltimore on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. On Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 the... Mon, 10 Jan 2022 14:40:20 -0700 5C56CEAD-E665-5E10-905A-00C181C79E10 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/how-will-pandemic-end-omicron-clouds-forecasts-for-endgame/ People wait in line at a COVID-19 testing site in New York’s Times Square on Dec. 13, 2021. The fast-moving omicron variant is complicating a key question: How does the COVID-19 pandemic end and the world co-exist with this virus?... Mon, 03 Jan 2022 18:06:52 -0700 E9563AEA-A599-5AD7-AABD-CDDC4B09EB1C https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/cdc-recommends-shorter-covid-19-isolation-quarantine-for-all/ A middle school principal walks the empty halls of his school as he speaks with one of his teachers to get an update on her COVID-19 symptoms Aug., 20, 2021, in Wrightsville, Ga. On Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, U.S. health... Mon, 27 Dec 2021 15:14:43 -0700 5A2F14F6-CA16-5D75-B6D8-8CC6047D6702 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/2021-on-track-to-surpass-last-year-as-deadliest-for-nation/ Medical staff move a COVID-19 patient who died to a loading dock to hand off to a funeral home van, at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La., on Aug. 18, 2021. Last year was the deadliest in U.S. history,... Sat, 25 Dec 2021 14:01:45 -0700 2FBE4892-81E0-5C9E-9550-0FFF9930C72F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/u-s-sets-shorter-covid-19-isolation-rules-for-health-workers/ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted revised guidelines on Thursday, Dec. 23, that are loosening rules that call on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive for COVID-19. Those workers... Sat, 25 Dec 2021 13:54:29 -0700 9D7BD8FE-D892-543A-BF2A-7C333476A6AD https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/explainer-boosters-key-to-fight-omicron-lot-still-to-learn/ City residents wait in a line extending around the block to receive free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits in Philadelphia on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)Matt Rourke The new omicron variant took only a few weeks to live... Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:26:37 -0700 26D47D50-70EB-500C-8DC1-A4E6622A2176 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/omicron-sweeps-across-nation-now-73-of-new-covid-19-cases/ Travelers wait for a shuttle but to arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 21. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported more than 3,500 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday as... Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:12:45 -0700 02491336-20BA-5FD9-B616-F756C81B0869 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/can-you-safely-enjoy-the-holidays-experts-offer-covid-tips/ People including some wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus visit the Christmas Village in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. The delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus are trying to spoil the holiday spirit, but... Fri, 17 Dec 2021 21:47:57 -0700 B554DF7F-E8D2-5C96-BE0B-2646A49E6C54 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/u-s-regulators-lift-in-person-restrictions-on-abortion-pill/ Bottles of abortion pills at a clinic in Des Moines, Iowa. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, loosened some restrictions on the pill mifepristone, allowing it to be dispensed by more pharmacies. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press file)Charlie... Fri, 17 Dec 2021 21:39:58 -0700 0D283CA3-0B78-59E5-A383-F34CA11D72D6 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/pandemic-mystery-scientists-focus-on-covids-animal-origins/ Members of a World Health Organization team are seen through a window wearing protective gear during a field visit to the Hubei Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center for another day of field visit in Wuhan in central China's Hubei... Fri, 10 Dec 2021 18:06:05 -0700 D0126D15-2B3A-564A-B128-B026443B00B0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-the-new-omicron-variant/ (Peter Hamlin/Associated Press illustration)AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin How can I protect myself from the new omicron variant? The same way you guard against COVID-19 caused by any other variant: Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, get a booster if you’re eligible... Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:45:34 -0700 61CF1806-8555-5230-82E0-C90E225D96C9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-omicron-variant/ Travelers wearing protective face masks arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. Israel on Sunday approved barring entry to foreign nationals and the use of controversial technology for contact tracing as part of its... Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:13:00 -0700 FEF50E9B-AA4A-58C6-8801-BAA756E151D0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/how-covid-19-vaccines-for-kids-help-prevent-dangerous-new-variants/ Solome Walker, 9, looks down at her bandage after getting her first Pfizer COVID-19 shot at a vaccination clinic for young students at Ramsey Middle School on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Louisville, Ky. Scientists say vaccinating kids against COVID-19... Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:46:00 -0700 D90D8233-0EF0-57DC-A07F-DE2BD2AD957F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/u-s-overdose-deaths-topped-100000-in-one-year-officials-say/ This photo provided by Nancy Sack shows Carter Lange, Kim Gustavson, Jason Lange, Matthew Gustavson and Travis Gustavson. Nancy Sack’s grandson, Travis Gustavson, died at age 21 in Mankato after overdosing on what he thought was heroin but was actually... Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:44:00 -0700 10EF5BFE-AE35-5CAC-8427-C9F2BCC66A42 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/cheap-antidepressant-shows-promise-treating-early-covid-19/ Course of COVID-19 treatment would cost $4 Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:32:00 -0600 5601890B-3035-57B6-B92B-2468E1177C70 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-life/covid-vaccine-cdc-expands-booster-rollout-oks-mixing-shots/ A nurse loads a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Jackson, Miss. Millions more Americans can get a COVID-19 booster and choose a different company’s vaccine for that next shot, federal health officials said Thursday. (Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press... Thu, 21 Oct 2021 22:46:00 -0600 248BFE62-6EC2-5E1A-89F5-6FC533BF85FE