For much of the school year, the 26 members of the 5th grade Vinton-Shellsburg Sole Sisters have been meeting with teachers Sarah Mathis and Lindsey Otto, learning about fitness, friendship and life skills.

Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics have improved the quality of care and the scope of services offered to patients. Medical decisions affecting care patients are made here, by our medical providers without interference from administrators unfamiliar with the needs of small communities and the professional skills that local, dedicated physicians, physician assistants, and nursing staff use to the benefit of their patients.

United Fire Group, Inc. (UFG) has launched an educational and awareness program aimed at eliminating distracted driving. "Worth It" was created to reach and engage a range of audiences, and also takes a special look at distracted driving among commercial drivers.

A new website created by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) offers a one-stop hub for Iowans looking for help with suicide prevention, problem gambling and substance abuse.

By: Lindsey Ungs, Certified Prevention Specialist Nothing happens in a vacuum. Your actions, both positive and negative, do have an impact on your family tree.

There are a number ofpotential health carechanges facing ourcountry, and it may beawhile before we knowthe outcomes. ASAC is a health care provider withexpertise in substance use disorders.

Research shows a strong link betweenalcohol use and breast cancer. Even a fewdrinks a week is linked with an increasedrisk of breast cancer in women. Alcoholcan raise estrogen levels in the body, which mayexplain some of the increased risk.

Each year, more than 500,000 lives are positively impacted across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota because of LifeServe Blood Center blood donors. It takes less than one hour to give blood and in that hour, a volunteer blood donor can help save the lives of up to three different hospital patients.

As parents it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different things that we are supposed to teach our children. We know we need to talk to our kids about drugs and alcohol, but when is the right time? The National Red Ribbon Campaign is recognized as the mobilization of communities to take the time to educate our youth and participate in drug prevention activities and they have a few ideas for you! Talking to our kids about values, making good choices, and understanding their feelings all lead up to having that conversation about the risks with alcohol and drugs.

5 Pink Pumpkins Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer at Virginia Gay Hospital. Over the next two years, I wrote about the interesting ways I found to thumb my nose at some of cancer's indignities.