Stories by Kristen Thometz

Rising temperatures this week could lead to unhealthy air quality, particularly for people with respiratory conditions, as the heat combines with pollution from vehicle emissions and other sources, says the American Lung Association. 

Colorful sidewalks, a massive music fest, Mexican fare and a moon bash usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Mandated screenings for perinatal depression may overlook a significant portion of women who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, according to a new study from the University of Illinois. 

Rising temperatures and humidity in Chicago this week could make it feel as hot as 105 degrees outside. If proper precautions aren’t taken, you could experience heat exhaustion or heatstroke. 

President Donald Trump issues an executive order to revamp care for kidney disease, which affects 37 million Americans. “It’s really comprehensive,” said Dr. Holly Kramer, president of the National Kidney Foundation.

As Chicago braces for a possible immigration crackdown, dozens of immigrant and refugee rights organizations from across the state say they’re “taking a stand” with a rally Saturday. 

Sound advice from public health officials for your text trip to a public pool: don’t swallow the water. Officials say a parasite that caused a national increase in diarrhea outbreaks between 2009 and 2017 can be found once more in public pools.  

The new crisis stabilization unit at Holy Cross Hospital will serve as an alternative to emergency rooms which are often crowded and ill-equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies.

Outdoor eats, hidden gardens and a retro roller skating party usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

A memorial dedicated to those who were allegedly tortured by former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge is one step closer to reality, now that a final design has been selected.

A trio of cyclists who have been touched by leukemia are traveling across the country to raise money and awareness for Be the Match, a nonprofit that helps patients who need bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplants. 

Music fests, hot air balloons, finger-licking ribs and an art fair usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Fireworks are synonymous with the Fourth of July. But too often, celebrations can end with a trip to the hospital if fireworks are mishandled and proper precautions aren’t taken. 

If you plan on hitting the road Friday afternoon, be warned: it’s projected to be the worst time for travelers in Chicago, according to AAA, with delays as much as two times the normal commute. 

A partnership between Google and the University of Chicago resulted in a violation of patients’ privacy rights, according to a class-action lawsuit filed by a former patient of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Among the cases at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn are two people treated within the past two months, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

People who inject drugs typically aren’t part of traditional advocacy because of risks associated with going public. But a local research project allows them to share their experiences without the fear of potential repercussions.

A massive parade, dance lessons, mariachi ensembles and lots of hot sauce usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Finding time for sit-down family meals and the cost of healthy foods are among the top challenges Chicago parents face in providing healthy meals to their children, a new citywide survey finds.

Fireworks will light up the skies all over the Chicago area in celebration of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4. Here’s where you can watch.

Celebrations of pride, music fests, pop-up theater, craft beers and dragon boats usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

How addressing homelessness, access to food and other social needs improves a patient’s overall health – and reduces costs. A 2017 study found treating patients with just one risk factor was $65 more per month than those with none.

As communities across the country celebrate Pride Month, LGBTQ organizations and activists are speaking out against Trump administration policies that limit those individuals’ access to health care.

Sudden cardiac arrest can cause death within minutes. There are no drugs to treat the condition, but researchers are hoping to change that by studying the efficacy of two drugs that could improve survival. 

Finger-licking barbecue, scores of electric scooters, Latin beats and rare books usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

An analysis of 500 U.S. cities by NYU School of Medicine offers a startling view of Chicago, but a local physician says the city’s health inequities have been known for years. What’s causing that gap, and how can it be addressed?