Deb Balzer (@DebBalzer)
Deb Balzer is a Senior Communications Specialist at Mayo Clinic. She began her career as a TV news producer in Rochester, NY, before joining CONUS Communications, a pioneering national news satellite organization. She also field produced for ABC, CNN, the Rachael Ray Show and Farmers’ Almanac TV. Joining Mayo Clinic in 2015, Deb writes, produces and collaborates on medical stories with Mayo Clinic’s leading experts, providing trusted health and medical information to help patients.
Measles infections are now confirmed in 30 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "We have more measles cases than we have[...]
More than 1 million Americans each year become sick with salmonella infection. Most people get sick from eating foods contaminated with salmonella bacteria including fresh[...]
A better, more effective flu vaccine is a matter of when — not if — says Dr. Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research[...]
When it comes to dieting, people tend to go to extremes, says Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. And that's[...]
An upset stomach can be a result of many things. When symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and fever, chances are it's a viral infection. "A viral[...]
A resurgence in measles infections in the U.S., Europe and other locations may be a result of increased vaccine hesitancy over safety concerns. Dr. Gregory[...]
HPV-related mouth and throat cancers are rising at an epidemic level, with tumors in these locations outpacing those from smoking, says Dr. Samir Patel, a[...]
A companion animal, such as a dog, cat, bird or rabbit, can offer more than love and affection. A pet can reduce loneliness, and provide[...]
Outbreaks of salmonella infections are being linked to contact with an increase in backyard chickens, ducks and other poultry, according to the Centers for Disease[...]
The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is common in southern, central and eastern parts of the country, and is now reported to have reached parts[...]
Foodborne illnesses increase during the summer because bacteria grow faster in warmer temperatures. When preparing food outdoors away from sinks and refrigeration, the opportunity for[...]
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is recommended in the U.S. for all children at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose[...]