Health

Mississippi has some of the highest teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates in the nation. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how a new sex education bill making its way through the state legislature could impact the lives of thousands of teens throughout the state. 

Governor Haley Barbour was in Washington calling on the federal government to rethink its plans for Medicaid. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson explains. 

We all need air, water, and food to survive, but for Mississippians food is also the cause for many of the state's biggest health concerns. The state is the worst in the nation in obesity rates, but Mississippi also has more hunger than any other state. MPB's Daniel Cherry talks to some experts about the future of the state's food related problems. 

Anti-smoking advocates have returned to the Capital to call on legislator to pass a comprehensive ban.

MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that advocates are disappointed with a smoking ban recently approved by a Senate committee.

Community leaders across Mississippi are asking legislators to help rid their neighborhoods of toxic waste. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how contamination from abandoned industrial sites have been blamed for a high increase in death rates in many of Mississippi's poorest communities.

The hard work of implementing Federal health care reform in Mississippi is already underway at the Capital. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the legislature is working on one of the biggest provisions in the law.

Health advocates are once again pushing for an indoor smoking ban across the state of Mississippi. The legislature has addressed this issue before. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that this time there might be room for compromise.

The US House is expected to vote today on the repeal of the national Affordable Care Act. MPB's Lawayne Childrey examines what a repeal could mean for Mississippians.

President Obama’s panel that investigated the BP oil spill is taking its final report to the Gulf Coast in a series of community meetings. Eileen Fleming reports that people attending the first session in New Orleans are pleading for attention to health problems related to the spill.

More than 60 thousand pounds of free non perishable food and personal care items are being donated to some of Mississippi's most needy families. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports on the efforts of Feed the Children.

The Influenza virus is starting to make its presence felt around Mississippi. MPB's Lawayne Childrey has more on flu vaccines that are now available before the flu bug peaks.

The demand for type O negative blood is nearing critical levels in parts of the state. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports the need for all blood type donations are up.

The food Mississippi kids eat at their school is about to take a healthy turn...this changes follows a sweeping reform signed into law by president Obama. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports that the new rules set up national standards for what lunch rooms can serve and also expands the free and reduced lunch program.

The New Federal Healthcare law could save Mississippi Seniors thousands of dollars on doctors visits and prescription drug costs. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports on the Affordable Care Act.

Despite his size, Gibbs has experienced a concussion, on the field.

"I did, it wasn't from football though, I had it from soccer. I had it when I was about 12 in the state tournament. I got kicked in the head. I don't remember much of it but I don't think it felt too good," Gibbs said.