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At least 34 people have confirmed cases of measles in Washington state, leading its governor to declare a state of emergency.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, birth defects affect one in every 33 babies born in the U.S. January is the month to bring attention to that statistic, via the promotion of National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Birth defects are common, costly and account for 20 percent of all infant deaths, according to the CDC.

Ask most women which medical procedure they least look forward to and you will likely hear a large percentage say, “The annual Pap test.” Even though this exam can be daunting and sometimes uncomfortable, it is very important -- it can help the physician determine if there is concern about cervical cancer.

January is the traditional time for heavy-hitting resolutions — lose weight, exercise more, spend more time with family, and one of the most difficult resolutions — to stop smoking.

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This time of year, everyone is gearing up for their New Year’s Resolution. The most popular resolutions generally are weight loss and health-related. People are out signing up for new gym memberships and restocking their pantries with “health foods” that they’ve never eaten before. These New Year’s Resolutions are created with good intentions and the hopes that these changes will help the person be healthier and lose weight.

This is an easy, one-pot meal that will fill up your family and keep them eating healthy foods during the winter months.

Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes the red blood cells to change shape and “sickle.” Normal red blood cells are round and carry oxygen through your blood vessels to organs throughout the body. But sickle cells get stuck in blood vessels and block the flow of blood — causing damage to organs.

Are you one of the 1 in 3 U.S. adults who has prediabetes? Chances are, you don’t even know it.

Don’t let the warm temperatures fool you -- Fall is in full swing and it’s a great time to save some money. “How can I save money and still eat food that is healthier for me?” you ask. Easy -- By buying locally grown food and foods that are in season.

It’s starting to be the time of year when head colds, sore throats, runny noses and the like are prevalent. Strep throat is a common type of sore throat for children, but not as much for adults.

Food allergies don’t need to be the spookiest thing this Halloween. Preparation before heading out for trick-or-treating is key. For parents and children with food allergies, the prospect of receiving the variety of Halloween treats, such as packaged goodies, cookies and candy, can be scarier than even the most gruesome costume.

While it is commonly known that we should be brushing our teeth twice a day, flossing daily and seeing our dental professionals every six months, it’s probably not as widely known how certain foods or drinks, oral habits or general health problems can have a negative effect the health of our mouth.

“Semper Paratus”, (Latin for “Always Ready”), is the motto of the United States Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard is in a constant state of readiness to respond emergencies, from boaters in distress to major disasters. Hospitals, much like the Coast Guard, must always be ready when disasters occur, whether natural or man-made.

The arrival of October also signals that it’s time to get a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, recommend getting a flu vaccine before flu season begins spreading in the community. Because it takes an estimated two weeks after a shot for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, it’s important to get the shot as early as possible.

During Sepsis Awareness Month, Lompoc Valley Medical Center (LVMC) wants to make sure our community understands this very serious condition. According to the Sepsis Alliance, nearly 3 million people in the U.S. are affected each year by sepsis.