November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time to raise awareness about this specialized care and to recognize the dedicated caregivers and professionals committed to providing comfort and support to patients with serious, chronic and/or life-limiting illnesses.

November is Men's Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight health issues affecting men – including prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year and 32,250 men will die from the disease. Find out about risk factors, treatments and the screening tests that help catch prostate cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

Now that the warm weather and longer days have arrived, many of us are itching to go enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re taking a hike, camping out, or getting the yardwork done, there’s one particular plant you should always try to avoid – poison ivy. Learn how to spot the plant that causes itchy rashes, how to soothe your skin, and when to seek medical attention.

Also known as alpha-gal allergy or red meat allergy, alpha-gal syndrome is on the rise in Massachusetts, particularly on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard, where lone star ticks have expanded and become established.