WTHR - Health Care | Indiana Health

St. Vincent layoffs signify uncertainty in health care market

Kevin Rader — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:49:00 EDT

The St. Vincent announcement is really the latest installment by hospitals trying to deal with the uncertainty to come.

Home birth supporters praise new Indiana law

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:59:00 EDT

A new Indiana law that will create standards of care and open opportunities for midwives is winning praise from supporters of home births.

New rules for labeling meat go into effect in US

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:32:00 EDT

Consumers will soon see labels on their meat telling them where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered.

Hoosiers advised to take care while swimming

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:21:00 EDT

State health officials are urging people to be careful as they head for Indiana's lakes and other bodies of water for summer recreation.

St. Vincent Health announces job cuts

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:20:00 EDT

One of Indiana's largest health systems says it's cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.

Study: Amphibians disappearing at alarming rate

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:47:00 EDT

A new study has determined for the first time just how quickly frogs and other amphibians are disappearing around the United States, and the news is not good.

U.S. teen birth rate plummets

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:01:00 EDT

Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.

Too few kids use fast-food calorie info

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:01:00 EDT

Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.

Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:18:00 EDT

In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.

WTHR Blood Drive set for May 31, June 1

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:36:00 EDT

By donating blood you can help save somebody's life. That's why WTHR is teaming up with the Indiana Blood Center to ensure an adequate blood supply for Central Indiana.

Americans still making unhealthy choices

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:42:00 EDT

The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.

Kickoff for Change the Play

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:35:00 EDT

Andrew Luck kicked-off his "change the play initiative" Saturday.

Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:35:00 EDT

The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.

Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:29:00 EDT

When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study.

IU Health removing sugary drinks from hospitals

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:06:00 EDT

Visitors and employees of Indiana University Health will no longer be able to buy sugary drinks from cafeterias, vending machines and gift shops on hospital campuses.

Pacers' Hill remains day-to-day with concussion

Kevin Rader — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:55:00 EDT

Pacers guard George Hill was still listed as day-to-day with a concussion and there are new concerns he may not be able to play the rest of the season.

Heart patient becomes IMS reporter for Riley

Anne Marie Tiernon — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:37:00 EDT

Bailey Hunsberger feels her good fortune is abundant as she hitches a ride on the IU Health Lifeline Helicopter as it heads to the track. Eyewitness News tagged along as Hunsberger started her first day as "Riley's Roving Track Reporter."

Indiana family works to raise awareness of rare genetic disorder

Kris Kirschner — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:53:00 EDT

There is one thing that sets Lauren Pfeiffer apart from other girls, and from most people. She can't stop eating.

Seat-belt enforcement campaign runs through June 2

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:45:00 EDT

Indiana law enforcement agencies have begun a two-week effort to enforce seat belt use on the state's highways.

Fitness in middle age may help shield men from cancer later

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 EDT

Men who are physically fit in middle age have a lower risk of developing and dying from certain cancers, new research indicates.

New drug may help immune system fight cancer

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:00 EDT

An experimental drug that taps the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer is shrinking tumors in patients for whom other treatments have failed, an early study shows.

FDA: Lower Ambien's dose to prevent drowsy driving

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:29:00 EDT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that it is asking manufacturers of sleep medications containing zolpidem -- including Ambien -- to lower the recommended doses.

Bike and ATV safety

Julia Moffitt — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:50:00 EDT

As the weather finally warms up, you are probably seeing more and more kids on bikes, and ATVs.

Doctors approve cholesterol testing on younger children

Emily Longnecker — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:31:00 EDT

Doctors at St. Vincent Peyton Manning Children's Hospital are offering targeted cholesterol tests to children with risk factors.

Community Health Network partners with MD Anderson Cancer Center

Anne Marie Tiernon — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:04:00 EDT

A new Community Health Network partnership with MD Anderson is helping Indiana patients.

Keeping kids safe out in the summer sun

Julia Moffitt — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:50:00 EDT

All this week on Eyewitness News Sunrise, we are focusing on summer safety for your kids. Today, it's the importance of sunscreen.

Purdue seeks infants for child autism study

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:22:00 EDT

Purdue University scientists studying how autism develops in young children are seeking the infant siblings of autistic youngsters for a new study of the mysterious disorder.

Doctors warn of backyard weed with hallucinogenic effects

David MacAnally — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:55:00 EDT

Emergency room doctors are warning of a dangerous new way to get high. Teenagers are smoking a flower that may be growing in your backyard.

Heroin in the Heartland

Anne Marie Tiernon — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:17:00 EST

The average heroin user today looks like the kid next door, and police say teens are finding the addictive drug in Indiana. Families are learning deeply painful lessons about this cheap, dangerous high.

Dr. Sears links

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:57:00 EST

Friday February 25th on the noon show, Scott Swan talked with Pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears, author of "The Autism Book: What Every Parent Needs to Know."

How to know if the volume is too loud

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:23:00 EST

The louder and longer we listen, the more likely we'll experience hearing loss.

Free mammogram info

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST

Digital mammography is making it easier for doctors to detect breast cancer. Plus, find out how to get a free mammogram.

Great song mixes for workouts

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:57:00 EST

The following music mixes were featured in our 5:30 pm story Tuesday about fitness and music. All of the playlists run about 60 minutes.

Addiction to prescriptions becoming epidemic in Indiana

Scott Swan — Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:32:00 EST

Eyewitness News has discovered Hoosiers of all ages are becoming addicted to prescription drugs at an alarming rate.

Teens turn to plastic surgery to fix "flaws"

Anne Marie Tiernon — Tue, 1 May 2012 23:10:00 EDT

Experts are weighing in on the risks and benefits of plastic surgery for teenagers.

Brownsburg man shares manly side of breast cancer story

John Stehr — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:08:00 EDT

Darrell Skaggs was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and is now trying to get other men to come forward with their story.

Risky Call

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:37:00 EST

Sandra Chapman investigates problems with ambulance response time.

Angelina Jolie has preventative double mastectomy

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:24:00 EDT

Hollywood film star Angelina Jolie announced Tuesday that she has undergone a double mastectomy because she carries a genetic mutation that greatly increases her risk of potentially fatal breast cancer.

Human gene patent case goes to Supreme Court

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:14:00 EDT

The question of whether human genes can be patented is at the center of a case to be heard Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Moderate drinking may not affect breast cancer survival

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 14:58:00 EDT

Women who have survived breast cancer can drink alcohol in moderation, new research indicates.

For older women, missed mammograms tied to worse breast cancer outcomes

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 14:58:00 EDT

Older women diagnosed with breast cancer years after their last mammogram, and those who never had a mammogram, have an increased risk of dying from their cancer, a new study suggests.

Breast cancer death rates higher for black women

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 14:58:00 EDT

Black breast cancer patients are more likely to die than white patients, regardless of the type of cancer, according to a new study.

When breast cancer spreads to lungs, surgery may increase survival

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 14:57:00 EDT

Patients with breast cancer that has spread to the lungs may live longer if they have surgery to remove the lung tumors, a new study from Germany suggests.

Nearly 14 million cancer survivors in US

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:35:00 EDT

There are currently 13.7 million cancer survivors in the United States and the number is expected to rise by 31 percent to 18 million by 2022, according to a new report.

More genetic insights into three types of cancer

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:25:00 EDT

Critical clues to understanding who is at the greatest risk for particular types of cancer may be found in "spelling mistakes" contained in a person's DNA.

False-positive mammograms can trigger long-term distress

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:01:00 EDT

Women who have a false-positive mammogram result -- when breast cancer is first suspected but then dispelled with further testing -- can have lingering anxiety and distress up to three years after the misdiagnosis.

For older women, mammograms every 2 years found as good as annual test

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 11:04:00 EST

For older women ages 66 to 74, getting a mammogram every two years appears as good as getting one every year.

Anne Marie Tiernon

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:09:00 EST

Do you have an idea for a health feature? Contact Healthbeat reporter Anne Marie Tiernon.

Local Services

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:21:00 EDT

A list of health services available in the central Indiana area.

National Health Web Sites

Fri, 27 Feb 2004 13:14:00 EST

Links to other health web sites.

Genes may boost woman's risk of postpartum depression

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:01:00 EDT

Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.

Managing seasonal allergies

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:35:00 EDT

Although spring arrived late this year in parts of the United States, the summer allergy season will still be strong, according to a sinus expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Cellphone use may reveal your dominant brain

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:03:00 EDT

New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.

Angelina Jolie will have ovaries removed to lower chances of cancer

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:05:00 EDT

Film star Angelina Jolie will have her ovaries removed to help lower her odds for ovarian cancer, People magazine reported Wednesday.

Gene variations may explain weight gain among men, women

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:01:00 EDT

Weight gain in men and women is predicted by two different genetic variations -- so-called polymorphisms, according to a new study from the Netherlands.

Rich 'cougar,' 'sugar daddy' stereotypes might not mirror reality

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:33:00 EDT

The notion of wealthy "sugar daddies" with young, pretty wives and well-heeled "cougar" women with handsome, young husbands may be more fiction than fact, new research suggests.

Nearly half of high schoolers text while driving

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:03:00 EDT

Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.