Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months after birth, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, citing research that says breastfeeding is healthy for infants. It protects against diseases, obesity and stomach issues, helps the mother lose weight and decreases the risk of some cancers. But although breastfeeding […]
Read MoreAuthor: Kara Lofton
W.Va. Bucks Rising U.S. Maternal Mortality Trend
The United States has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world — and unlike most other first-world countries, our rates are going in the wrong direction. American women are three times more likely to die during or after birth than women in Great Britain and eight […]
Read MoreFamilies Struggle Against the Unknowns of Alzheimer’s across Appalachia
For families struggling with Alzheimer’s in Appalachia, the road can be lonely and long. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Patients with the disease can live as long as 20 years after diagnosis. During that time they become increasingly dependent […]
Read MoreDying with Dignity
Hollywood tells us that love stories are about the beginning — catching an eye across a crowded room, a first date, a dramatic proposal. We see little, if anything, after the fairytale wedding. But for many, the greatest testament to love is not the first moments, but the last. And, […]
Read MoreAs Appalachians Age, Their Caregivers Struggle with Isolation
Caring for loved ones as they age can be incredibly demanding. It can also leave the caregiver feeling forsaken by society — especially as families move away from the home base, leaving fewer people to share responsibilities. “I have two sisters who I love dearly, but they both live in […]
Read MoreIsolation and Loneliness in Older West Virginians
Cheryl Powell lives in senior housing in Nitro. She’s 63 years old and has been receiving Meals on Wheels for a couple of years. “Because I’ve had strokes and different things wrong with my body,” she explained. After her strokes, Powell really couldn’t get out to grocery shop. Or […]
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