Browsing: Health & Wellness

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration! That is the name of the game in the Mississippi summer. Not only are temperatures soaring, but the humidity has been cranked up a notch. Couple these things with spending more time outdoors both for yardwork and for recreation and that is a recipe for heat-related illness. Staying hydrated isn’t just about quenching your thirst. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay healthy all summer long. But don’t wait until you get thirsty. Hydrating early and often is a much more effective strategy when working or playing outdoors. 

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is bringing physical therapy education to north Mississippi, adding a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Oxford to meet growing demand for licensed physical therapists across the state.

A new medical facility planned for Highland Parkway could give Pearl River County residents closer access to sleep studies, specialty care and medical equipment. 

June is National Dairy Month,  a month to celebrate the hard-working dairy farm families and the nutritious dairy foods they provide. Mississippi is home to 25 dairy farmers, most of whom operate family-owned farms. In 2025, Mississippi produced 8.8 million gallons of milk, with the top two milk-producing counties being Walthall and Marion. Did you know that Mississippi’s most consumed dairy product is ice cream, no surprise, followed by milk. Here are some simple ways to support your local dairy farmers and bring nutritious treats into your summer routine.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Nursing and Health Professions is partnering with Forrest Health, allowing nursing students to gain work experience at Forrest General while earning their degrees. 

Mississippi State University chemist Colleen Scott has been selected for the Bayh-Dole Coalition’s 2026 American Innovator Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors given annually researchers whose federally funded work leads to real-world impact.

As the weather warms up and the days get longer here in Mississippi, the calendar starts to fill up with backyard barbecues, porch dinners, and casual get-togethers. A go-to side dish makes the perfect addition to these gatherings. When I’m building a side-dish to bring to an event, I look for crowd pleasing flavors that highlight in-season produce. Both jalapeños and sweet corn are showing up on farmer’s market shelves in May and June. 

Bryce Ramsey learned the importance of listening to her body and encouraged others to do the same. Even though she was a nurse with 16 years of experience, she overlooked subtle signs, as so many do, when they first appeared in her own life. Luckily, her instincts kicked in, and she got the care she needed.

Mississippi, it’s time to get moving. Let’s increase our physical movement, improve our eating habits, and make ourselves healthier and happier!

Harrison County residents can now check out free blood pressure monitoring kits from local libraries, part of an effort to expand access to basic health tools.

National Nutrition Month, celebrated every March and sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics since 1973, highlights the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The 2026 campaign theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” focuses on the preventive, protective, and restorative benefits of a healthy, balanced diet.

March is an exciting time to be in the kitchen. Hints of spring begin to appear in the grocery store and farmer’s markets begin to pop up in communities. Utilizing this in-season produce is a delicious way to save money and support local farmers. While available year-round, carrots really shine in spring when they are tender, naturally sweet, and often sold with their green tops attached. Those greens aren’t just pretty, they are edible and perfect for turning into a flavorful carrot top chimichurri. 

The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “What Is True?” team investigated claims by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture that the average American can make a healthy meal for only $3 to $4 per person.   

The New England Patriots are set to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s Super Bowl LX showdown. The Super Bowl is expected to be watched by around 130 million people worldwide, with 1 in 4 Americans being more interested in the food than the actual game. The Super Bowl is considered the second-largest eating day of the year, with billions spent on wings, dips, and snacks, making it crucial for party hosts.

Some Mississippi traditions are built on competition. Others are built on community. And then there are the special ones—like Biloxi’s annual Arbor Day Run—that manage to do both while making room for everyone along the way.

Kristi Phelps of Gautier knew at an early age what she would do for her career.

As a child growing up in Pascagoula, Phelps always knew that she would be a pharmacist. She had even written about that goal in a journal in the third grade. This year she will celebrate 30 years in the profession.