Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Funds raised at yearly event are all earmarked for research to eradicate Juvenile Diabetes
 Join the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as they kick-off the sponsorship drive for another spectacular event for the 2011 Hope Gala.  Local businesses will be invited to sponsor the sensational show that will feature the mesmerizing and dazzling talents of Craig Meyer, better known as Almost Elton John and the Rocket Band, for this year’s gala, which will be held Friday, October 15, 2011 at the Laredo Country Club.  For this spectacular evening, guests will …

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX-The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) is celebrating National Public Health Week to highlight what we do every day to prevent disease, promote wellness, contain and respond to biological events and to protect and safeguard our wellbeing. The CLHD also provides primary and chronic disease care as our community continues to be underserved. “We want to congratulate our health department staff for their dedication in prevention and care” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of Health.  “We need to be proud of all public health actions …

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Health Department is issuing an alert that Unilever United States, Inc. announced a limited recall of Skippy® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy® Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The affected product was distributed to retail outlets in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. 
The City of Laredo Health Department wants to ensure the public that sanitarians have already verified …

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX—Because tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States, the City of Laredo Health Department is taking action by teaching smoking cessation and increasing prevention activities. 
Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to second hand smoke, and another 8.6 million have a serious illness caused by smoking.  Yet despite these risks, approximately 46 million U.S adults smoke cigarettes with Texas ranking 27th among the states. 
In Laredo smoking and second hand smoke are the …

It can save lives 
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX— The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) is encouraging everyone to learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to save lives. CPR also is a best practice heart and stroke primary prevention method. In the United States, the national heart attack survival rate is at 5 percent with approximately 80 percent of sudden cardiac arrests occurring at home. In Laredo, 53% of all deaths in 2010 were due to cardiovascular disease; a leading cause of heart attack. CPR, when performed correctly, can drastically improve a …

Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Health Department is joining the nationwide “Heart Truth” Campaign to raise awareness among local women that heart disease is the #1 health threat.  One in four American women die of heart disease and most fail to make the connection between risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol and their personal risk of developing heart disease. Last year in Laredo, 40% of the total deaths were due to cardiovascular disease, as we age this will become more of a public health concern. 
 
The …

Courtesy Eloy Vega,
Laredo, TX:  Our community has experienced a cold spell that will last at least until Friday. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in the early morning hours. With this in mind, the Laredo Fire Department would like to offer the following safety tips to the public:

Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires.
Deaths due to fires caused by heating a home are particularly preventable.
Having a working smoke alarm reduces one’s chance of dying in a fire by …

Laredo, TX – – The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wants to inform the public that The National Weather Service has predicted an arctic cold front that will blast through South Texas on Tuesday and usher in the coldest air of the season. There is a potential for a mix of light rain and sleet to develop as early as Thursday afternoon continuing through Friday morning Therefore all city departments and emergency services are taking necessary precautions and actions to protect the public, reduce accidents and prevent cold exposure. …

Courtesy Rebecca Alvarez,
Laredo, TX – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity is increasing in the United States. As we continue to see an increase in flu cases locally, the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wants to encourage the public to take advantage of a simple and safe way to help protect your health. To make flu prevention easier, CLHD will be hosting a Saturday Flu Mist and Shot Clinic.
The cost for the seasonal flu vaccine for adults is $20.00. Vaccines and Flu Mist …

Courtesy Laredo Health Department, 
Laredo, TX – -During this past week, influenza activity in the United States has increased. Of the 4,733 specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division, 744 (15.7%) were positive for influenza.  Mississippi is the only state that has confirmed widespread Influenza activity.  In Texas, 940 specimens have been tested of which 160 were positive. 88.1% of positive results have been for Influenza A.
 As of today, the City of Laredo Health …