2013 Local Health Archive Stories

Viewing their freshly washed hands under an ultraviolet light was cool — until Yuma PharmCamp students were told the funky glowing stuff was germs. When students in the program were asked to wash their hands, they just thought it was part of their assignment instructions — but it was actually a test. “All of the

Hearing is a serious issue.That's the message Sherry Appleby at Hearing Aid Specialists in Yuma wants to get across, noting that it's important on a year-round basis to remind people to take care of their hearing. “More than 55 million people in the United States are currently experiencing some degree of hearing los

After Richard Michael McDaniel's death last year, the retired electrical engineer and farmer endowed $3 million to the Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center for cancer research, education, equipment and treatment in Yuma County.He made the gift in memory of his parents, Ted and Stella McDaniel. Both McDaniel and his mother were

PHOENIX — Going to need hospital care?A new website, called AZ Hospital Compare, lets you compare among more than 100 hospitals around the state for how likely it is you'll develop an infection, a bed sore or have a surgical instrument left inside you. It even rates the hospitals on your prospects of dying while getting care fo

Students and staff at Gary Knox Elementary School were recognized with a traveling trophy Wednesday for their efforts to reduce childhood obesity on their campus by almost 10 percent. Presented by Yuma County School Superintendent Tom Tyree, the Y.O.U.T.H. (Yumans' Obesity Undermines Their Health) Initiative trophy was given to the s

A flash mob entertained the World No Tobacco Day event at the Yuma Main Library's Centennial Heritage Park on Friday. Ridding Yuma Youth of Tobacco club members took part in the World No Tobacco Day to help ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, which was this year's theme worldwide.

Effective Tuesday, the American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Center will be located at the Yuma Regional Medical Center's Corporate Center at 32nd Street and 4th Avenue extension. Previously located at YRMC, the Cancer Resource Center moved due to renovations at the hospital.The volunteers at Cancer Resource Center can help with

Mildrima Lim leads by example and never hesitates to jump in and serve.The director of nursing at Life Care Center of Yuma gets to know her patients personally and follows through with their care even after they've been discharge from the facility.For these and other reasons, Lim received the Life Care Centers of America'

Caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming. It is not a normal part of aging and there is no cure for the progressive disease of the brain, which could get in the way of everyday living. Recognizing that family members caring for a loved one with dementia need information and assistance, the Alzhe

The cheering from last weekend's Relay for Life continues as organizers crunch the numbers and report that this year's event broke several major milestones.The Yuma event raised more money than ever before, plus a record number of people attended the weekend of celebration and remembrance.“It's outstanding how Relay

Are you a cancer survivor? Or do you know someone who has battled cancer?If so, the Yuma Regional Medical Center would like to speak to you.The hospital is seeking local community members who have survived cancer to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Yuma Regional Cancer Center on May 17.Selec

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Take it to heart.When the subject turns to the risk of breast cancer, Campesinos Sin Fronteras wants women in south Yuma County to do exactly that.The San Luis-based nonprofit organizations that serves farmworker families is organizing a weeklong public campaign to educate women about breast cancer

Expired pills not only lose their punch against sickness, but pose a risk for those who take them for the high.On Saturday, area law enforcement agencies will accept expired or unused prescription medicine from the public as part of a nationwide campaign to clean out medicine cabinets of drugs that might otherwise fall into the hands

The volunteers who serve at Yuma Regional Medical Center look out for more than the patients and employees. They're helping out possible future hospital workers.The YRMC's Volunteer Services Department has raised $11,000 through its fundraising efforts, enough to offer six scholarships to Yuma County residents who want careers in the

One of the qualities of life in Yuma that people find so appealing is the weather. Indeed, predominately sunny skies are the reason why many choose to make the area their home throughout the year or during the winter.And so many of us year-around and seasonal residents pursue leisure activities that take us outdoors and into the sun,

As the saying goes, it's important to be comfortable in your own skin — sound advice that perhaps should be taken more literally.Skin is the largest organ in the body, yet not often thought of as such. But just like other vital parts of our being, our skin can get sick, too.A number of conditions cause skin to becom

We normally think of NASA as exploring the farthest regions of space. But thanks to its research into plant growth, the space agency happened upon a discovery that offers a variety of health benefits right here on Earth.Its use of light-emitting diodes in plant growing experiments several decades ago resulted in the development of re

Tanning is a guilty pleasure for Yuman Karina Jones. She knows there's a risk associated with it, but it's relaxing and it makes her feel better about herself.“It sounds funny, but everyone says everything looks better when you're tanned,” she noted.For Jones, tanning in a stand-up tanning booth helps her unwi

When it comes to the skin, Maria Bueno wants to clear up some misconceptions.One is that only women, and not men, need to follow a skin care regimen, says Bueno, nurse-practitioner at Nouveau Beauty Cosmetic Center in Yuma.Another, she said, is that only people who sunbathe need to put on sunscreen — and that one ap

If all you want is some exercise, you can take a walk in the neighborhood or do a few laps around the track at any of a number of public parks in the Yuma area.But maybe you have in tow a spouse, child or other family members whose idea of recreation is something other than walking.Then you may want to go to the West Wetl

Probably the most common skin ailments in children and teens are things that most of us recognize, such as acne, eczema and the common wart. Many skin conditions in children are treatable by over-the-counter-medications, but some do require prescriptions.It is important for parents to know exactly what they are treating so the approp

Sandi Gordon recalls the days when she and other members of her high school swim team in San Diego wore striped swimsuits.But later, after a competition or practice that had taken place outdoors, they might discover they had striped tan marks where the suits made of spandex material had covered them.That discovery serves

Contrary to what people might believe, Arizona winters can cause just as many skin problems as the strong rays of summer. We frequently remember to put on sunscreen and hats during the warmer months, but we may fail to remember to do the same in the fall and winter.During the winter, our skin undergoes a major transformation that usu

With Yuma's year-round sunshine and mostly mild weather, residents and visitors alike tend to enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking and playing ball. While physical activity certainly contributes to a healthy lifestyle, there's a caveat. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin cancer.According to the Skin Cancer Fo

Some people spend a lot of time and money on topical products for skin care, but proper diet and exercise are part of a holistic approach to caring for skin from the inside, say local experts.Skin is the body's largest organ and is influenced by many things such as one's age, genetics, environment and lifestyle, says Suzanne Cooper,