Over 580,000 people ages 65 or older are living with Alzheimer’s. The disease has become an epidemic in Florida, which has the second largest population of Alzheimer’s patients in the United States.

We get some insight into the long and challenging journeys dementia caregivers are on from two men who became caregivers themselves after their wives were diagnosed with dementia. Dan Moser’s wife Maria was diagnosed with what’s called Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) in 2015 and he was her caregiver until she passed away about two years ago. During that time, he pivoted away from his work as a bike and pedestrian safety advocate toward dementia caregiving, a role he continues to this day. And Jeff Edwards’ wife Bunny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018 and he’s still taking care of her. Jeff retired from a 50-plus year in radio a couple of years ago and since then has been producing a podcast called GUTPUNCHED that explores the challenges of dementia caregiving, and shares resources they've found, and as he puts it “their heartbreaks and their little victories.”

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, a comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health care provider serving children, adults and families in Collier County, kicked off construction of its Diermeier Access and Integrated Care Center with a demolition ceremony Friday.Centers officials said the commencement marks a significant milestone in the organization’s Hope for Collier: Building Stronger Minds Together initiative.

A nationwide recall has been issued for chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may be adulterated with an outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). The products were shipped to Kroger and Walmart retail locations nationwide and have been connected to multiple deaths.The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall Wednesday and public health partners are investigating the outbreak of Lm that currently includes 17 ill people in 13 states. As of June 17, there have been three reported deaths and one fetal loss associated with this outbreak.

Early detection for cancer is key to combating the disease and now one organization claims they have a new test that can detect cancer cells before a tumor ever forms.

In the 1970’s, Cervical Cancer was one of the most common causes of death for American women. Those rates have dropped significantly thanks to advanced screenings.

Meat products produced by two companies are being recalled and an alert was issued for ground beef distributed to a popular retail outlet and possibly contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

Lee Health recently approved an additional $150.5 million investment to enhance its upcoming Fort Myers facility, including a new patient tower and an onsite childcare center.The expansion will increase the hospital’s capacity by 92 beds, including 48 acute care beds, 20 skilled nursing unit beds, and shelled space for an additional 24 acute care beds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service is issuing a public health alert for a frozen not-ready-to-eat ham croquette product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. This item was shipped to distributor locations in Florida.

The leading cause of death for young children in Southwest Florida, drowning, is highly preventable.