public health

Federal and state health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, with cases reported in Texas and 16 other states. The CDC has not identified the source, though previous outbreaks have been linked to contaminated fresh produce.

Health care is the largest and fastest growing industry in Texas — but the workforce isn't growing fast enough to meet increasing demand. Workforce shortages are getting worse, according to testimony from state officials during a House Committee on Public Health hearing.

From a West Texas measles outbreak to rising vaccine exemptions statewide, families of immunocompromised children depend on herd immunity, which is slowly eroding.

Some Texans on SNAP say the ban on using food stamps to buy sugary drinks and candy prevents quick fixes to low blood sugar conditions.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, activity is higher than it was at the same time last year. Texas is extending access to immunizations for infants and toddlers until the end of the month in response to "persistent" infections.

Most of the state's measles cases reported so far this year are inside the West Texas Detention Facility in Hudspeth County, where four infected El Paso residents worked.

Consumers are now navigating the consequences of this expiration with limited choices.

The influx of people could mean a greater chance of disease spreading. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will have training, reporting and testing information for diseases and travel health notices.

Enhanced credits for health insurance purchased from the Affordable Care Act marketplace expire at the end of this year. If they aren’t renewed, premiums will skyrocket for many people in Kansas and nationwide.

About 1 million Texans with ACA health plans are over the age of 45, and many of them will pay monthly premiums that are more than $1,000.