Community health news

If you ask a classroom full of local students from 5th through 12th grade if they vape or know someone who vapes, nearly all of the kids will raise their hands.

That’s what Merica Surdez, advanced practice registered nurse at Community HealthCare System, found when she decided to help area schools teach students about the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Vaping uses an e-cigarette, a battery-powered device that comes in many shapes and sizes, to heat up a liquid to create an...

Vaping has become a burning issue in communities and schools around the country. Community HealthCare System has been asked to serve as a resource to schools and parents in our communities and to help students, teachers, and families understand the risks and dangers of vaping. 

On November 14, Merica Surdez, APRN presented information on vaping to grades 5 through 12 at the Onaga school. Merica was able to present to four different age groups; 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th, 9th...

The holidays are here, and so is the yearly struggle to eat well and stay active. If you are hoping to avoid the need to make health or weight-related New Year’s resolutions, now is the time to focus on good habits.

The Christmas feast will be ready soon – not to mention the delicious cookies, candies, and other treats on offer this time of year – and early darkness and cold weather are barriers to getting enough exercise. Following a few tips will help keep you on...

The National Cancer Institute recognizes lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death. In the United States, lung cancer follows only skin cancer as the most common type of cancer.

Many people don’t realize that lung cancer screening is available.

Like any screening, lung cancer screening aims to find the disease early, when treatment may be more effective. Dr. Greg Welle, director of radiology at Community HealthCare System and Manhattan Radiology, said low-dose...

By Karen Elliott: Cold and flu season is here. Are you looking for ways to keep your family healthy?

Handwashing is a simple way to prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy and able to go to school, work, and other activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, handwashing can prevent one in three cases of diarrhea and one in five respiratory infections such as cold or flu.

Soap and water are the best tools to use. If soap and water aren’t available,...

By Katie Kufahl: A crying baby can make just about anyone anxious, but new parents or caregivers can feel especially worried or frustrated when their baby cries and they don’t know how to help. 

The period of purple crying helps parents understand this time in a young baby’s life. Crying is a normal part of every infant’s development. The acronym PURPLE describes specific characteristics of an infant’s crying during this...

Having a baby means new parents have a long list of questions and worries: Do we have the best car seat? Is the nursery stocked with the right supplies? Is our home safe enough?

Feeding a newborn is one area that shouldn’t cause worry. “Without a doubt, breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for moms and babies,” said Katie Kufahl, registered nurse and Birth Center manager at Community HealthCare System in Onaga.

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and...

We often invoke sayings about the importance of time: time is of the essence, time flies, and time is money. When someone has a stroke, taking quick action can improve survival rates and outcomes, so it’s worth taking a little time to understand the warning signs and what to do when you or a loved one experience them.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or ruptures, causing brain cells to die. The American Stroke Association...