Public Health

Syracuse – October 09, 2026 -- If dizziness or balance problems have you scheduled for a vestibular evaluation, the process typically involves a symptom review, eye movement tests, balance exercises and head-position checks, according to audiologist Dr. Nicole Anzalone of Syracuse Hearing Solutions.

Anzalone's insights appear in an article published by HelloNation. It explains that vestibular testing gives healthcare providers measurable information about how the inner ear and related systems function. That helps narrow down the possible causes of symptoms, which can vary widely.

The inner ear works with your eyes, brain, muscles and joints to keep you balanced

The vestibular system sits within the inner ear. When it does not function normally, symptoms can include unsteadiness, difficulty walking or vertigo.

Roxbury – October 07, 2026 -- CVS Health has opened a new pharmacy-focused store at 32 Warren Street in Roxbury, part of a national rollout of nearly 20 smaller, pharmacy-only locations launching in select communities in 2026.

The Roxbury store ditches the traditional front-of-store layout for a compact, 3,000-square-foot footprint.

Unlike CVS's typical full-service stores, the new format carries a customized selection of over-the-counter products rather than a full retail aisle lineup. Patients who need items not stocked in-store can order them for free home delivery instead.

The location adds a medication disposal bin and a needle collection site for community use.

Residents can safely dispose of unneeded, unwanted or expired medications, as well as used sharps, directly at the pharmacy.

Chicago -- On Sunday, October 11, 2026, 263 runners will take on the Chicago Marathon's 26.2-mile course as part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) "Race for Hope" team, turning their mileage into fundraising for mental health research and education.

Team Has Raised Nearly $4.6 Million Since 2010

More than 1,800 participants have run under the Race for Hope banner since the team joined the Chicago Marathon in 2010, collectively raising close to $4.6 million for AFSP. This year's 263-member team is aiming to add nearly $1 million more to that total.

Runners Wear Jerseys With Personal Stories on the Back

Each team member races in a custom jersey featuring the Race for Hope logo on the front and a personal message on the back -- often naming a loved one lost to suicide or reflecting on their own mental health struggles.

Wichita Falls – October 07, 2026 -- Many people with disabilities avoid taking a job because they believe any paycheck will instantly cut off their Social Security benefits, but that assumption is often wrong. David Toogood, an expert on empowering people with disabilities at Work Services Corporation in Wichita Falls, Texas, says Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both allow work under specific rules rather than cutting people off the moment they earn income.

SSDI includes a trial work period before benefits change.

New York – October 07, 2026 -- Bracha Banayan, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of telehealth practice Hello Dose, has released a new book titled "Why Are You Still Hungry?" aimed at people using or considering GLP-1 weight-loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. The paperback is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and BookBaby, while the eBook can be found on Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and BookBaby's Bookshop.

The book explains the biology behind stubborn weight gain.

Banayan breaks down factors such as insulin resistance, the body's weight "set point" and "food noise" -- the persistent, intrusive thoughts about food many patients report. She describes in plain language how GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist drugs act on both the gut and the brain.

New York – October 07, 2026 -- The United Nations Spotlight Initiative has launched Sync or Storm, an interactive game on Roblox designed to teach young people about attitudes that contribute to violence against women and girls.

The game is part of the Spotlight Initiative's #WithHer digital advocacy campaign and is now live on the platform, targeting an audience that includes an estimated 43 million Roblox users under age 13 who play daily.

Nearly one in three women experience violence in their lifetime, prompting a push for early prevention.

Koye Adeboye, Head of Communications for the UN Spotlight Initiative, said gaming has become a space where young people shape how they see the world, and that reaching them there is critical to preventing violence before it starts.

Allentown, Pa. – October 06, 2026 -- Secure Healthcare Information Management, LLC (SHIM), a billing and medical management company serving independent physicians and medical institutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has notified individuals that their personal and health information may have been exposed in a data security incident.

An unknown actor accessed files between July 6 and July 16, 2026

SHIM experienced a network disruption on July 17, 2026, and immediately launched an investigation with cybersecurity experts. That probe found an unauthorized actor had accessed or acquired certain personal information during the ten-day window. SHIM confirmed the full scope of the breach on September 18, 2026.

Dallas – October 06, 2026 -- The 13th Annual Great Americans Shoot raised $2.4 million for Special Forces Trust, funding mental health care and family support programs for Green Berets.

Held October 2–4 in the Dallas area, the event brought together 25 teams pairing civilian supporters with members of the nation's Special Operations Forces. A clay-target competition took place Saturday at Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, followed by a multi-gun competition Sunday at Extreme Tactical Gun Club in Waxahachie. Representatives of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders and Air Force Combat Controllers attended.

New York – October 06, 2026 -- The ASPCA is warning pet owners after new research found that polyacrylamide-based hydrogel products -- including migraine caps, eye masks, wraps and dog beds -- can cause severe acrylamide poisoning and death in dogs if ingested.

The findings, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, were based on a study of 45 dogs with suspected acrylamide toxicosis. Affected animals showed vomiting, muscle tremors, unsteady gait, sensitivity to sound or touch, elevated heart rate and seizures; some cases were fatal.

Bryant, Ark. – October 06, 2026 -- Infants who struggle to latch, slip off the breast or bottle, or make clicking sounds while feeding may have tongue tie or lip tie, two conditions that restrict normal oral movement, according to a HelloNation article featuring dentist Dr. Alex Hamilton of Bryant, Arkansas.

Tongue tie and lip tie occur when the tissue connecting the tongue or upper lip to the mouth is unusually tight, limiting movement needed for a proper feeding latch. The article notes this can cause frustration for both infant and parent, with feeding sessions often taking longer than expected and babies showing signs of discomfort or difficulty maintaining suction.

Feeding problems can affect weight gain and nutrition

Because restricted tongue or lip movement interferes with latching, the article states these issues can impact an infant's nutrition and weight gain, making early assessment important for overall health.