Health
$2M Grant Fuels AI Push to Fix Cervical Cancer Follow-Up Gaps in Treasure Coast
USF Health and Tampa General Hospital target women in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties who miss specialist care after abnormal Pap smears.
Dr. Simone Okafor
Health & Science Reporter
Covers: health, mental_health, science, environment
Simone Okafor holds a master's in public health from the University of Florida and spent four years covering health policy for a Gainesville daily before joining TC Sentinel. She covers the full health beat: hospital and insurance news, maternal health, the opioid recovery infrastructure, mental health services, and environmental health threats like algae blooms and water quality on the Treasure Coast. She approaches stories with clinical precision and deep empathy for patients and families navigating a complex system.
“Clear, authoritative, humane. Translates medical and scientific language into plain English without sacrificing accuracy. ”
Stories by Dr. Simone Okafor
Health
New Law Enables Medicare Coverage for Multi-Cancer Blood Tests on Treasure Coast
The Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act paves the way for FDA-approved tests that detect dozens of cancers via a single blood draw, transforming early screening for local seniors.
Health
AARP: Florida's Unpaid Caregivers Deliver $81B in Annual Labor
Thousands on the Treasure Coast join 4.3 million Floridians providing 4.1 billion hours of uncompensated care for loved ones each year.
Health
Florida Measles Cases Climb to 143 as Outbreak Slows
Treasure Coast health officials urge parents to check vaccinations amid a reduced pace of new infections, with most cases in Collier County ahead of spring break.
Health
Florida Tops Nation in Child Drownings Under 9, Treasure Coast Pushes Prevention
Amid Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic risks, local advocates highlight CDC data showing drowning as top killer for ages 1-4 and urge families to learn safety lessons.
Health
Norway Study: COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy Halves Newborn Hospital Risk
Research on 146,031 infants backs local doctors' advice for pregnant women in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, slashing babies' COVID hospitalization odds in first two months.
Health
Climate Change Intensifies Pollen Assault on Treasure Coast Residents
Milder winters extend allergy seasons in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, coating cars in yellow-green pollen from oaks and cedars.
Health
Kratom Derivative 7-OH Faces Uncertain Future as Florida Ban Expires
State regulators yanked the synthetic opioid from Treasure Coast gas stations and smoke shops last year, but lawmakers skipped a permanent ban, leaving local retailers and families in limbo.
Health
Tampa General, Mass General Brigham Launch Treasure Coast Health Network
The joint venture expands cancer treatment, specialty care and outpatient surgery for residents in Martin and St. Lucie counties, with plans for advanced imaging and primary services across the region.
Health
Florida House Stalls Mattie's Law, Delaying Newborn Liver Screenings
The Senate unanimously passed the bill mandating biliary atresia tests at hospitals like Cleveland Clinic Martin North and Lawnwood Regional, but it failed before adjournment, leaving Treasure Coast families without early detection for the potentially fatal disease.
Health
FDA Backtracks on Autism Drug, Confusing Treasure Coast Families
Federal officials touted leucovorin as a potential autism treatment last fall but limited approval to a rare folate deficiency, leaving parents in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties grappling with mixed signals.
Health
Study Sharpens Everglades Restoration to Boost Treasure Coast Water Quality
Researchers' 2022 predictive models help forecast wetland responses, aiding plans that protect the Indian River Lagoon and local communities in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Health
Study: Rural Treasure Coast Youth Face Higher Anxiety, Depression Rates
National research reveals teenagers in lower-income areas like Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties suffer more mental health symptoms than urban peers, urging action from local schools.
Health
Florida Restores HIV Drug Aid for Thousands, Including Treasure Coast Residents
The state health department's emergency rule raises ADAP income eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level, or $62,600 for individuals, reversing cuts affecting 16,000 Floridians.
Health
Parasites Infect Fish, Shellfish Across Indian River Lagoon
A new meta-analysis reveals widespread infections in species from Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, sparking concerns for local ecosystem and human health.
Health
Red Tide Blooms Decimate Prey Fish, Threatening Indian River Lagoon Dolphins
Study shows repeated Karenia brevis outbreaks reshape fish communities vital to bottlenose dolphins in Florida's Treasure Coast estuaries.
Health
New Model Forecasts Red Tide Paths to Warn Treasure Coast Earlier
Researchers' peer-reviewed tool tracks Karenia brevis movements along the West Florida Shelf, aiding Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties in preparing for toxic blooms.
Health
Vero Beach Skips Required Water Test After Coliform Detection in January
City officials notified residents this month that February repeat samples tested negative, with no boil-water order issued or health issues reported.
Health
Study Quantifies Red Tide's Health Risks for Treasure Coast Residents
Researchers detail respiratory and other impacts from Karenia brevis blooms, highlighting dangers for swimmers, fishers and beach walkers in the Indian River Lagoon.
Health
Study: Benthic Creatures Could Filter Pollution in Indian River Lagoon
A 2023 peer-reviewed study highlights how clams, worms and other bottom-dwellers in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties might reverse the estuary's long-standing water quality issues.
Health
Stagnant Water in Northern Lagoon Fuels Toxic Algae Blooms for Indian River County
Peer-reviewed modeling study reveals slow circulation traps water, endangering local recreation, fishing and drinking water supplies in the estuary.
Health
Climate Change Set to Worsen Indian River Lagoon Pollution, Endangering Local Families
A peer-reviewed study warns that rising seas and intense storms will amplify algae blooms in the estuary serving Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties unless officials act swiftly.
Health
Algal Blooms Disrupt Juvenile Green Turtles' Diets in Indian River Lagoon
A new study using stable isotope analysis shows harmful blooms force young turtles to shift foraging habits, threatening their survival in local Florida waters.
Health
Study Detects Toxic Algae in Southern Indian River Lagoon
Researchers identify Pseudo-nitzschia blooms producing domoic acid, threatening fisheries, wildlife and residents in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Health
Study: Clams and Planting Methods Boost Lagoon Seagrass Recovery
Researchers reveal how hard clams and transplantation techniques enhance restoration success in the Indian River Lagoon, aiding efforts in Indian River and St. Lucie counties.
Health
Study Uncovers Daunting Hurdles in Restoring Indian River Lagoon Seagrass
Researchers detail biological, environmental and logistical challenges thwarting recovery in the vital estuary across Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties amid ongoing algae blooms.
Health
Safe Kids St. Lucie Files 2024 Tax Return, Affirms Active Status
The nonprofit dedicated to child safety education in St. Lucie County submitted its annual Form 990 on Feb. 17, ensuring continued operations through the fiscal year.
Health
Treasure Coast Dengue Risk Surges as Doctors Miss Local Cases
New study warns that Florida physicians overlook homegrown dengue infections in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties by linking the disease solely to travel.
Health
Sunny-Day Floods Raise Death Risks in Treasure Coast Areas
Peer-reviewed study finds residents near Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River face higher mortality from tidal inundation driven by rising seas and high tides.
Health
Study: Treasure Coast Fertilizer Bans Fall Short in Halting Indian River Lagoon's Toxic Algae
Peer-reviewed research shows nutrient pollution persists in the lagoon despite ordinances in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, urging locals to address deeper pollution sources.