Health challenges in Miami: Lizards, storms, brain

These articles on Miami's health focus on environmental influences and mental health issues.

A study on lizards explores how the presence of brown anoles can disrupt mosquito feeding patterns and potentially reduce disease transmission to humans. Researchers at the University of Miami study Alzheimer's disease in Hispanic and Black communities, highlighting a personalized approach to medicine. Meanwhile, post-hurricane mental health concerns like PTSD are addressed by mental health experts advocating for cognitive therapies as a path to recovery.

NO. 1: WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR BRAIN? IT COULD COME DOWN TO WHAT YOU NEED MORE OF EACH NIGHT

Here is some expert medical advice. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Juan Jose Muñoz (left) and Elvin Antonio Urbina walk with her belongings through the flooded N 15th St in North Tampa, Thursday, October 10, 2024, a day after Hurricane Milton crossed Florida’s Gulf Coast.

NO. 2: FLORIDIAN HURRICANE SURVIVORS COULD BE SUFFERING FROM PTSD—BUT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE

After a tumultuous hurricane season, an expert says Floridians should look out for symptoms of PTSD. | Published November 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

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A caretaker, center, offers cafecito to Asustina Valdes Cabrera, left, while she is tested by UHealth medical researcher Dr. Katrina Celis, right, as part of an Alzheimer study during a community outreach event for the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics where UM researchers performed tests, enrolled new participants and took blood samples to a new Biorespository opening at UHealth’s campus, at Hora Feliz Adult Day Care on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Hialeah, Fla. By D.A. Varela

NO. 3: HOW A UM LAB IS UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE BRAIN. IT STARTS WITH A PERSONAL MESSAGE

What to know about the visits. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Peter’s rock agamas have spread across Florida, in some places pushing aside native species like the brown anole. That shift in the reptile population could potentially have ripple effects on mosquitoes and the spread of diseases . By Alex Grimsley

NO. 4: HOW A TURF WAR BETWEEN LIZARDS IN FLORIDA IMPACTS MOSQUITOES AND MAYBE YOUR HEALTH

Researchers are looking at the role a tiny lizard plays in protecting us from mosquito-borne diseases | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.