WATE - News: Local/State/U.S.: Health

Pioneer hiring for positions at Scott County hospital

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:17:00 EDT

For the past year, Scott County's only hospital has been closed, but the facility could see new life as early as July.

Maryville dentist launches low-cost dental care program for area families

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:38:00 EDT

Dr. Randall Ford, of Adult and Family Dentistry in Maryville, says he's never seen as many people having to go without dental care as he does now.

New device helps eight-year-old hear mom's voice for the first time

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:36:00 EDT

A local child born with just one ear is the first patient in East Tennessee to benefit from new, breakthrough technology.

Knoxville woman opens up about positive BRCA test and double mastectomy

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:20:00 EDT

A Knoxville woman talks about having a bilateral mastectomy after learning she carries a gene mutation that predisposes her to breast and ovarian cancer.

Knoxville fights substance abuse during National Prevention Week

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:21:00 EDT

Knox County law enforcement and drug prevention agencies are working harder than ever this week to raise awareness about the growing problem of substance abuse. National Prevention Week is May 12 through May 17 in Knoxville, dedicated to stopping drug abuse in local communities.

Tennessee First Lady, Muppet against obesity

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:53:00 EDT

Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam is teaming up with Grover, the loveable Muppet from Sesame Street, and United HealthCare to teach kids the benefits of eating healthy and getting in shape while helping them learn to love...

Sevierville residents shave heads in honor of local boy battling cancer

Sat, 11 May 2013 16:35:00 EDT

12-year-old Regen Morris has been battling a rare form of brain cancer for the last several months. Inspired by his brave fight, people from his hometown are stepping up to show their support.

Knoxville Fire Department sees more cases of arson related to mental illness

Thu, 9 May 2013 23:00:00 EDT

Recent fires in Knoxville have local firefighters on alert. Some people, not classified as criminals, are setting these fires.

Federal data reveals variance in Medicare reimbursements in Knox County hospitals

Wed, 8 May 2013 18:09:00 EDT

The federal government released a huge database of information on Wednesday, shedding light on the rates and procedures performed by hospitals across the country.

New prosthetic device helps Knoxville man get back to the golf course

Tue, 7 May 2013 17:00:00 EDT

A Knoxville man who lost his leg a year ago has come a long way, and it's all thanks to a breakthrough prosthetic device.

Tennessee to create 9 'recovery courts'

Tue, 7 May 2013 10:42:00 EDT

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will create nine recovery courts to combat mental health and substance abuse issues.

Knoxville March for Babies celebrates 75 years of saving children's lives

Sat, 4 May 2013 23:39:00 EDT

Hundreds turned out in Knoxville Saturday to help celebrate a major milestone in the fight to end premature birth. The March of Dimes is celebrating its 75^th Anniversary, and more than 700 walkers help commemorate the achievement at the Knoxville March for Babies.

Sleeping pills linked with sharp increase in ER visits

Nadia Ramdass — Fri, 3 May 2013 18:46:00 EDT

A new study showed that emergency room visits related to the sleep aid zolpidem, the active ingredient in Ambien, increased by 220 percent over a five year period.

FDA reviews the safety of a popular antibacterial chemical

Fri, 3 May 2013 18:11:00 EDT

Federal health regulators are taking a look at an ingredient found in products most people use almost every day.

Knox County health officials already fighting mosquitoes

Fri, 3 May 2013 17:09:00 EDT

Recent wet weather, and warm humid temperatures are creating a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Health officials say they have already started to battle the insect.

Knoxville woman says life doesn't have to end with mental illness diagnosis

Thu, 2 May 2013 17:00:00 EDT

Some of the stigma about mental illness is starting to chip away. A Knoxville woman diagnosed with bi-polar disorder says mental health issues are nothing to be ashamed of.

Experts urge treatment, openness to help workers with depression

Wed, 1 May 2013 17:00:00 EDT

In America today, depression ranks among the top three workplace problems, following only family crisis and stress. Today, more and more companies are offering care for the illness.

Fitness test helps athletes, exercisers get the most from their workout

Wed, 1 May 2013 10:43:00 EDT

6 News Anchor Bo Williams goes to the Provision Physical Therapy Performance Lab to find out how to get the most out of his workout.

Patients, professionals say treatment is key to living with depression

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:07:00 EDT

When someone has depression, it's more than feeling sad. It's an intense feeling of sadness and other symptoms. Depression can make you feel utterly alone, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Caretaker worries Claiborne Co. woman will die without Medicare enrollment

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EDT

An uninsured, young, disabled woman has an uphill battle as she struggles to regain her health. The problem for this 27-year-old woman is she has no medical insurance.

Press secretary expects Haslam will sign welfare drug testing bill

Wed, 2 May 2012 13:54:00 EDT

A measure to test welfare applicants for drugs passed Tuesday on the final day of the 107th General Assembly. It's been modified multiple times to address questions over its constitutionality.

Ready to Run group does final training for first 5K

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:49:00 EDT

The Ready to Run group had our final training day for our first 5K race, Volunteer Ministry Center's 5k Run and Walk. It benefits VMC's programs to end or prevent homelessness.

Ready to Run group trains longer, moves to 5K course

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 16:23:00 EDT

The Ready to Run crew has completed week five of training for their first 5K, benefiting Volunteer Ministry Center's programs to end or prevent homelessness.

Ready to Run group trains through the aches

Thu, 1 Sep 2011 18:25:00 EDT

It's week four of training for the Ready to Run group attempting their first 5K. Until now the group hung in there, but this week didn't go so well.

Ready to Run group's training picks up intensity

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:56:00 EDT

Trainer Levi Dodd began the third Ready to Run weekly session with these words. "Today, training changes."

Trainer teaches Ready to Run group how to make running easier

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:31:00 EDT

Trainer Levi Dodd is amping up training, calling it "summer school," and condensing what would be a longer training period into just seven weeks.

Ready to Run group learns about interval training

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:17:00 EDT

Over the next seven weeks, 6 News Anchor Lori Tucker and a group of women will share their progress as they train for their first race: Volunteer Ministry Center's 5K Race and Fun Walk

East Tenn. troop reacts to Boy Scout decision

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:27:00 EDT

Members of The Boy Scouts of America are now speaking out about Thursday's historic vote to end the ban on openly gay members.

Knox County deputies apprehend violent sex offender

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:58:00 EDT

The search for a violent sex offender with an outstanding warrant for his arrest is over.

Sevierville Police cracking down on shoplifters

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:52:00 EDT

Sevierville Police are partnering with retailers to crack down on shoplifters. In January, the Sevierville Police Department formed something called ALERT.

2 killed, 2 seriously injured in Bean Station pharmacy shooting

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:00 EDT

Two people were killed and another two hospitalized after a shooter opened fire in a Grainger County business.

Emails describe hostile work situation prior to Wright firing

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:05:00 EDT

A University of Tennessee administrator told her boss she was experiencing a hostile work environment in the days before she was fired.

Knoxville radio station switches frequency, format

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:42:00 EDT

Knoxville residents might have to change the dial if they want to hear their favorite stations.

Homeowner opposes UT plan to build new laboratory on historic properties

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:18:00 EDT

The University of Tennessee was granted the right to purchase three homes in Fort Sanders to build a new academic building, but the move has preservationists concerned.

Harriman plans recreation area at riverfront Superfund site

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:45:00 EDT

An old pulp and paper mill site has been added to the EPA's National Priorities List.

Two popular Knoxville bars among the five low scores this week

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:06:00 EDT

Five area restaurants scored poor health inspections reports this week.

Boaters reminded to stay safe on the lake ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:18:00 EDT

Memorial Day weekends kicks off boating season here in East Tennessee. It is important to remember some safety tips before taking your boat out on the water.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:15:00 EDT

Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.

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.

American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:20:00 EDT

The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.

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.

More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:01:00 EDT

Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.

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.

Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:25:00 EDT

Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.