Women remain at great risk of dying from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. Notably, Arkansas has consistently had a higher maternal mortality rate than the national average for at least the last five years. But the tide is starting to turn.

As summer winds down, families start thinking about pencils, backpacks, and back-to-school shopping. But keeping children up to date on their health requirements, such as vaccines, physicals, and medication, is also important to add to the list.

Over the last decade or so, a serious epidemic has emerged in Arkansas. It’s not COVID, the flu, or even RSV. Pregnant women in Arkansas have experienced a fivefold increase in congenital syphilis rates since 2017, well surpassing the number of perinatal HIV cases seen at the height of the HIV epidemic. Nevertheless, providers and healthcare specialists can help moms fight this uphill battle through education and preventive care initiatives.

Stroke is often called a “brain attack”—and for good reason. When it strikes, every second is critical. According to Dr. Bala Simon, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Arkansas Department of Health, stroke remains one of the leading causes of death in Arkansas and across the US. Thankfully, stroke is largely preventable with the right preventive strategies.

Arkansas summers are brutal. Temperatures soar well above 100, and hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses rise. Extreme heat leads to nearly 235,000 emergency room visits and over 56,000 hospital admissions in the U.S. annually. According to the National Weather Service, more people die annually from excessive heat than from any other weather event.

While MRSA and cellulitis are common in Arkansas communities, diagnosing and treating them appropriately—especially in outpatient settings—can be more complex. Dr. Amanda Novack, infectious disease specialist at Baptist Health, covers key tips, treatment pitfalls, and evolving approaches to care.