Following recent updates to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by the Department of Health & Human Services, many are unsure if and where they can receive a vaccine.

Offerings are rapidly changing across the nation and some schools may even cancel vaccine recommendations for other illnesses in addition to COVID-19.

Where can eligible individuals receive their COVID-19 booster?

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Late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay struggled with opioid addiction for decades and spent the final years of his life fighting relapses. The Indiana Department of Health says 562 people died in the state this year from drugs.

“I think one of the hard parts about addictions and substance abuse disorder is that the person suffering feels a lot of their own personal shame. They don’t want to admit and ask for help,” said Justin Phillips, who made it her life’s mission to help people with addiction.

Philips is the founder of Overdose Lifeline.

“My son Aaron, who lost his life to opioid use disorder, didn’t want to tell me that he was using again,” Philips said. “So, he skirted around it by saying other things, like “I’m having challenges with my mental health” and “I need to see someone,” because he didn’t want to disappoint me. Because he didn’t want me to know. Because he himself didn’t want to struggle yet again. That’s the internal shame. It’s really hard to put a finger on it, but it’s real. It happens all the time.”

It was after her son’s death that she founded Overdose Lifeline to help others deal with the shame and stigma of addiction. Her organization helps individuals and families with resources, community, and access to treatment.

Phillips said a good indicator that a person might have an addiction problem is seeing a change in a person’s behavior.

“Addiction is a sneaky disease that causes people who are affected to cause harm to their family members because it’s so insidious,” Philips said. “Change in behavior, change in friends, change in spending habits, change in schedule would be the first thing we notice.”

Philips recommends calling 211 in the state of Indiana, where you will be connected to a person who can help. The call is confidential. There are also support groups like Heart Rock Recovery Center and tools like free Naloxone kits that can reverse opioid overdoses. Resources are there, but reaching out is the first step.

“Recovery is possible,” Philips said. “You’re not alone, and there are people who can support you and surround you, and help you find your way.”

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High blood pressure affects almost half of all U.S. adults and is the leading cause of death globally.

New blood pressure guidelines call for early treatment, including lifestyle changes, to decrease the risk of dementia as well as improved management before, during and after pregnancy.

High blood pressure is the #1 preventable risk factor for dementia, cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, heart failure) and kidney disease.

High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels of our brain, leading to memory problems, cognitive decline and dementia. Therefore, early treatment is recommended.

There’s a new risk calculator that allows us to assess the risk of an individual having a cardiovascular event in 10 to 30 years, taking into account an individual’s age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking history, kidney function, race and zip code (the latter is an addition from our previous risk calculator from 2013). Results can help guide personalized treatment plans.

It is now recommended that people with high blood pressure have an annual urine protein test (urine albumin and creatinine ratio), assessing for kidney disease. Previously, this was optional.

This is especially important for those who are 35 or older, have a history of diabetes, have a BMI of 30 or higher, have an autoimmune disease, have kidney disease, are pregnant with multiples, are pregnant for the first time or have a personal or family history of preeclampsia.

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It’s National Minority Donor Awareness month, a time to raise awareness about the need for organ donors in diverse communities.

More than 104,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list, and 60% of them are from minority communities.

In Indiana, hundreds of Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents are waiting for a match.

Many of these communities are more likely to develop conditions that can lead to organ failure.

In Indiana, 335 Black people need an organ transplant as well as 107 Hispanic and 66 Asian people. While race isn’t a factor in matching donors and recipients, sharing a similar genetic background can sometimes improve long-term outcomes.

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A promising new therapy is helping stroke survivors regain lost motor skills by using a micro-transponder to stimulate the brain.

Up to one million people suffer a stroke each year, a number experts say could soar to 200 million by 2050. This innovative approach offers hope to those affected by stroke-related disabilities.

The therapy involves implanting a micro-transponder traditionally used for epilepsy patients into stroke survivors. This device stimulates the Vagus nerve, which carries signals to the brain to rewire parts associated with motor functions. During therapy sessions, when a patient performs an exercise correctly, it signals the brain to remember that movement, aiding in the recovery of motor skills.

The damage from a stroke can cause patients to lose their ability to perform everyday tasks such as picking up a cup, using their phone, or playing with their grandchildren.

While rehabilitation helps, this new approach is giving stroke survivors more mobility in their arms and hands.

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Back-to-school season is here, and while parents are busy grabbing supplies and organizing routines, health experts say it’s also the perfect time to focus on sleep and nutrition.

Amanda Pantone, a registered dietitian with Community Health Network, joined News 8 Daybreak to share ways families can set their kids up for success both in the classroom and at home.

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Mike Hamm is a 87-year-old veteran with dementia.

He stayed indoors in the cool air conditioning while outside temperature ticked to 91 degrees on Thursday.

He and his wife, Sharon, have been married for 59 years. They’re helping each other, so they don’t overheat.

Mike usually sits in his La-Z-Boy and uses a walker to get around. There’s a small license plate on his walker that reads “Too cool 4 u.”

About the weather, he said, “It’s been like this for a long time in the 90s and it’s supposed to get to the 100s pretty soon, and I don’t think I’ll go out much.”

Mike didn’t seem to notice the increase in temperature outside but appreciated helping hands, including his wife. “My wife, too, she makes me drink a lot of ice water.”

The veteran spends most of his days inside watching TV and reading the newspaper.

Sharon said, “He rarely goes out, but he insists on doing that one thing — go out and get the mail — because he wants to do everything he’s used to.”

Sharon goes out of their home more often, and she said the heat makes it hard. “It’s harder to breathe. I do know the older one gets, your body starts conking in different types of places. Besides the breathing, you get tired of walking.”

Dr. Chris Ross, an emergency room physician from Community Health Network, said Thursday that older people are prone to heat stress because their bodies have a harder time adjusting to sudden temperatures.

Ross said heat exhaustion can be fatal if not treated promptly. He said, “If you’re confused, vomiting, sweating profusely and then not sweating anymore, those are the reasons to look for help.”

Ross had this advice for caretakers: “Take special care to make sure that the people you’re caring for have plenty of water access, to bathrooms. If they have issues like dementia and begin to wander, to make sure the doors are locked so they don’t get outside and get stuck outside because that’s when they could really get into trouble.”

Mike and Sharon have help, Senior Helpers, a home care service that helps them manage their well-being in the heat. Marta Guinn, director of operations, said, “Any clients with dementia, their short-term memory is gone, so we just suggest — we don’t ever make a client do anything — we just suggest the same thing over and over again. ‘Mr. Hamm, would you like some water?’ ‘Mr. Hamm, we haven’t had a drink. How about I’m going to get a drink from my water, would you like to take a drink out of yours?’ Lots of reminding.”

Guinn added that as people get older, their bodies don’t self-regulate as well as in the past, and some people may not realized they’re overheating.

Senior Helpers also recommends checking in with older parents, grandparents, neighbors or friends to make sure they have what they need during the heat wave.

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The Indiana Health Fair is back as part of the Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration, offering free health screenings, fitness activities, and vital resources for families across the state.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver says the goal is to break down barriers, especially for communities of color, by creating a welcoming space to talk about wellness.

“It’s way less intimidating than going to a doctor’s office,” Weaver said. “We have a lot of fun things there, there’s music, there’s people dancing. You can learn about your health and, at the same time, start those initial checkups.”

The health fair runs Thursday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. It’s open to all ages, with services ranging from blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings to diabetes testing and high school physicals.

“There’s actually $4,000 worth of free screenings there,” Weaver said. “They’re doing high school physicals for those kiddos who are getting ready to go back to school and they need their physical.”

Beyond the screenings, the fair offers one-on-one help with navigating insurance, obtaining vital records, and connecting to long-term care.

“If they are identified as having a need at the fair, then of course we’re going to help to get them connected,” Weaver said. “You can get your birth certificate if you need to get your birth certificate. There’s really a lot of different volunteers and sponsors that are there to meet people wherever they’re at.”

Friday night is Ladies’ Night, with a spotlight on women’s health and a healthy dose of fun.

“People can come and learn about specifically women’s health care needs,” Weaver said. “But at the same time, during Ladies’ Night, they’re doing Zumba dancing, right? So, we have a mix of fun, and at the same time, checking up on your health and educating you about your health.”

Weaver encourages anyone who might be hesitant to attend to bring a friend or family member.

“If you are somebody who knows, has a family member, a friend, a neighbor, who you know is hesitant, ask them to come with you,” she said. “It is always better to have someone with you, and you’re going to meet a lot of smiling faces.”

Weaver added, “It is way easier to prevent disease than it is to treat it. And, so we really want to focus on that prevention piece.”

The Indiana Health Fair is free to attend and continues through Sunday inside the Indiana Convention Center.

Dates and times

• Thursday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.

For more information, click here.

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