Over-the-counter hearing aids expected this fall in US
U.S. regulators have finalized a long-awaited rule that's expected to allow millions of Americans to buy hearing aids without a prescription. The rule announced Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration goes into effect this fall. It creates a new class of hearing aids that don’t require a medical exam, a prescription and other specialty services. Instead the devices will be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and other retail stores. The move follows years of pressure from medical experts and consumer advocates to make the devices cheaper and easier to get. Devices for more severe hearing loss will remain prescription only.
Monkeypox can spread to pet dogs, doctors report
Health officials are warning people who are infected with monkeypox to stay away from household pets, since the animals could be at risk of catching the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has had the advice in place as monkeypox spreads in the U.S. It gained new attention after a report from France, published last week in the medical journal Lancet, about an Italian greyhound that caught the virus. Infections have been detected in rodents and other wild animals. But the authors called it the first report of monkeypox infection in a domesticated animal like a dog or cat.
Wisconsin pumps $10M into revamping contaminated private water wells
Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DNR announced a new $10 million dollar grant program Tuesday aimed at cleaning up contaminated private water wells in the state.
5,760 cases of Capri Sun have been recalled after being contaminated with cleaning solution
Approximately 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry beverages have been recalled because of possible contamination.
Minnesota nurses authorize strike against 7 health systems
Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike against seven health systems in the Twin Cities and Duluth, union officials say. The vote Monday gave nurse negotiators the ability to call a strike, with a 10-day notice to employers. The union represents 15,000 nurses. Union officials said one of the biggest issues is retention with understaffing contributing to overwork and professional burnout. Union officials say 15 hospitals and would be affected by the strike, including those operated by Allina Health, M Health Fairview, Children’s Hospital, North Memorial and HealthPartners. In Duluth, it’s Essentia and St Luke’s. Allina Health said it has plans in place to care for patients during any work stoppage, but wasn’t specific.
New Scottish law makes period products free for all
A law has taken effect in Scotland to ensure period products are available free of charge to anyone who needs them. The Scottish government said it became the first in the world to legally protect the right to access free period products when its Period Products Act came into force Monday. Schools, colleges and universities as well as local government bodies must make a range of period products available for free in their bathrooms under the new law. The Scottish government already invested millions of pounds since 2017 to fund free sanitary products in education institutions. But the law makes it a legal requirement. A mobile phone app also helps people find the nearest place where they can pick up period products.
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Stop the Bleed: La Crosse school nurses learn life-saving measures as school shootings rise
Stop the Bleed places life saving kits in schools and teaches nurses how to use them. The kits can handle any serious bleeding injury, but the La Crosse nurses say they are focused on how to handle injuries from a school shooting.
Frozen pizza recalled after customers find metal pieces
About 13,000 pounds of frozen pizza made by Home Run Inn Frozen Food is being recalled because of potential metal contamination.
Baby's death, strangulation hazard leads to recall of 2 million infant swings
Millions of infant swings have been recalled due to a strangulation hazard that has killed one infant already.
King's Hawaiian pretzel buns recalled over bacteria concerns
Take a look in your pantry -- if you have some of King's Hawaiian's products -- they might need to be thrown out.
Mayo Clinic experts say hearing loss can lead to learning difficulties in children
Social media isn't the only factor affecting your child's school performance. Undiagnosed hearing issues make learning more difficult for kids in the classroom.
New research recommends individuals get colon cancer screenings at a younger age
A recent research study from The New England Journal of Medicine says that early onset colorectal cancer is projected to increase by 2030.
New research identifies priorities for emergency care of dementia patients
A new set of research papers set priorities for caring for people with dementia in emergency medical situations.
CDC issues health advisory after uptick in parechovirus infections
The Centers for Disease Control sent out a health advisory this week for an uptick in cases of parechovirus infections.
WARM program students train at Gundersen
LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- 26 medical students from the Wisconsin Academy of Rural Medicine (WARM), around Wisconsin participated in a core day skills training lab at Gundersen this Friday morning. Students went through…
Mayo Clinic alerts public of a phone scam claiming to sell insurance
LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- If you get a call from Mayo Clinic trying to sell you insurance, it's a scam. Mayo Clinic Health System is informing the public of a phone scam that is using the Mayo Clinic name under…
