CDC

New York state received mixed grades in the annual American Lung Association report card.  But the advocacy group says more can be done to help people quit the smoking habit..

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in this country, in New York state that translates to about 25,000 people who die every year from smoking-related diseases. So while the state got good grades as far as smoke free air and the nations highest cigarette tax, it got failing grades when it comes to helping people quit.  

The “baby boomer” generation – Americans born between 1945 and 1965, has had a big impact on American society and culture. Now a disease is having a big effect on them. Baby boomers are five times more likely to have contracted Hepatitis C than the rest of the population. With symptoms that may not appear for decades, most may not even know they have Hepatitis C until it is too late.

This week on Take Care, Dr. Bryce D. Smith explains why all baby boomers should be tested for Hepatitis C. Dr. Smith is a lead health scientist in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Viral Hepatitis, and is the primary author of recent Hepatitis C testing recommendations that are aimed at members of the baby boomer generation.

Click 'Read More' to hear our interview with Dr. Smith.

Health providers in New York state are now required to offer a Hepatitis C test to all baby boomers. That's because about three-quarters of people who have the virus don't know they have it -- and most are in the baby boomer generation. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's health and wellness show “Take Care” recently spoke with Dr. Bryce Smith of the Centers for Disease Control about this silent epidemic.

Lorraine Rapp: So I know there are different forms of the virus Hepatitis. This is Hepatitis C —what exactly is it and why is it so dangerous?

Public pools are a community hotspot during the summer to cool off, but could they be harmful to your health? This week on “Take Care,” we talk to Michele Hlavsa, chief of the Centers for Disease Control's Healthy Swimming Program, on how to be cautious when using public pools this summer.

Click 'Read More' to hear out interview with Michele Hlavsa.

Public pools and water parks are popular spots this time of year, but how healthy is the water in those pools? Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's health and wellness show "Take Care," spoke to Michelle Hlavas, the head of the Centers for Disease Control’s Healthy Swimming Program

For some grown-ups, vaccines bring up thoughts of childhood when dreaded shots were followed by a cool Band-Aid and perhaps a lollipop. However, public health officials say immunizations are just as important for adults. This week on “Take Care,” we talk to Dr. Carolyn Bridges, associate director for adult immunizations at the Centers for Disease Control.

Click 'Read More' to hear our interview with Dr. Carolyn Bridges.

The Centers for Disease Control is encouraging everyone to make sure they are vaccinated against pertussis -- commonly known as whooping cough. The CDC says New Yorkers in particular need to be protected against the disease.