“Mascot Mania” is part of the kickoff of the Relay for Life this Friday night at Centerpoint Medical Center.

Mack, the mascot of the Missouri Mavericks, is among the 15 or so mascots expected to be there. Others are from places such as IHOP and ChuckECheese.

Did you ever wonder what all those letters and names mean on your sunscreen bottles? Like “broad-spectrum,” “UVA,” UVB,” “SPF,” and “water resistant?” Well, it turns out they hold very important information for anyone who is exposed to the sun.

With more than 75 million Americans falling into the obese category and more than half of that group considered type 2 diabetics by the Centers for Disease Control, it's little wonder that bariatric surgery is growing as a means for dealing with this growing health concern.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder which occurs in about 6,000 live births in the U.S. every year. It was named for English physician John Landon Down who cared for children with the syndrome that now bears his name.

Looking for a quick, nutritious meal this summer that won’t break the bank?  If fast food is one of your time-saving solutions for a busy schedule, consider tossing a quick meal together – full of health benefits – starting with pre-packaged salads.

Testosterone, the primary male hormone, is regulated by the brain and manufactured in the testes.  It is the focus of an increasing number of advertisements for replacement therapy. Who needs it? What does it do? Testosterone, what do you know, T or F?

These days, everywhere you turn, you hear health professionals encouraging consumption of “fatty fish,” like salmon, due to their omega-3 fats and associated health benefits.

The Relay for Life of Independence is coming up. It’s a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It’s from 6 p.m. Friday, June 21 to 6 a.m. Saturday, June 22 at Centerpoint Medical Center, 19600 E. 39th St.

When it comes to predicting the risk of heart disease, researchers are now looking at a gut reaction for help. That’s not only a way of saying they have a new hunch about predicting the risk, but there is promising new data on how the digestive tract is involved in cardio vascular disease.

June is National Employee Wellness Month. This is an annual initiative that helps business leaders learn how companies are successfully engaging employees in healthy lifestyles. While this is a national effort with more than 150 large companies participating, locally, the city of Independence is working on its employee health and wellness as well.