Mirroring national trends, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is reporting an increase in whooping cough (pertussis) cases that could result in a record high for 2025. The Department has identified 164 cases in the first four months of 2025. In comparison, Louisiana had a total of 153 cases in 2024.
Whooping cough is a naturally occurring disease in the U.S. and Louisiana with predictable increases in reported cases every few years.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will host Live Well Baton Rouge, a community health event featuring free cancer screenings, food, music and other health resources on May 17 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2250 Main Street, in Baton Rouge.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections is promoting the importance of maternal mental health.
Research shows that one in five women experience a mental health condition, and many go untreated due to stigma, lack of time, or difficulty accessing care.
The health plan recommends the following ways to support maternal mental health this May:
-Encourage moms to take breaks and practice self-care.
-Support policies that improve access to mental health services for women.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will graduate over 150 students from the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Nursing, and Health Professions on May 17, at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. The graduation ceremony will be held from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and will feature Fr. Josh Johnson as the keynote speaker.
In addition to the main graduation ceremony on Saturday, FranU will host a series of Pinning and Awards Ceremonies earlier in the week, celebrating the achievements of various programs along with a Graduation Mass.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Elekta recently expanded its longstanding partnership. Through this collaboration, the Mary Bird Perkins radiation oncology treatment team will have broader access to Elekta’s emerging and breakthrough radiation therapy technologies, benefiting patients throughout the organization’s network across Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. In Houma, Mary Bird Perkins partners with Terrebonne General Health System.
