Health

From a West Texas measles outbreak to rising vaccine exemptions statewide, families of immunocompromised children depend on herd immunity, which is slowly eroding.

Ticks are emerging earlier and staying active for longer. Experts in the central U.S. advise people to take precautions when spending time outside in wooded or grassy areas.

Voting is typically associated with politics and civil engagement, but a new study finds evidence that voting helps older people live longer.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Election Day in the Texas primary runoffs. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reminds voters for in which party primaries they can cast ballots. With shorter, more mild winters, tick season is getting longer. Emergency room visits for tick bites were the highest in April than they’ve been in nearly a decade. Harvest Public Media’s Jess Savage reports on how to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases.

Lubbock Public Health recently launched new group counseling services for those with substance use disorders. The groups are free, do not require insurance, and are open to anyone who is at least 18 years old. There are groups for those thinking about quitting and for those who are no longer using substances. The meetings are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays. You can schedule an intake by contacting the health department at 806-775-2933.

A new report from the Commonwealth Fund found Texas has worse racial and ethnic health disparities than other states in the Southwest.

Dr. Francesca Filbey, psychology professor and Bert Moore Chair in BrainHealth at UTD, shares what her research on hemp usage has found.

Saturday, May 2 is Election Day for Lubbock County’s cities and school elections. You can find more on the races and polling locations here. Our Samantha Larned reports early voting had its lowest participation in 20 years. Texas advocates and families pleaded with the state this week to improve capacity and access in state hospitals that provide psychiatric care. The public hearing was part of assembling a long-range plan that would guide state hospitals for the next six years.

This Saturday, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is hosting a free Women’s Health Day clinic for those without medical insurance. Our Samantha Larned reports it will offer free pap smears, breast and pelvic exams, mammogram and colposcopy referrals, STI testing, pregnancy testing, and blood work. The event is Saturday May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lubbock Impact. Uninsured women aged 18 to 64 can schedule an appointment by calling 806-370-7472. You can also find this information on The Free Clinic Facebook page.

The United States has lost about 90% of its food animal veterinarians since the 1940s, according to a 2023 Johns Hopkins study.