For the fourth year in a row, Vermont has been ranked as the healthiest state in the country. The state did well in categories including low incidences in violent crime and low-birth-weight-babies, as well as low rates of infectious disease.

The Vermont Health Department is stepping up efforts to combat the growing problem of drug-resistant illnesses and has launched a new program to discourage the overuse of antibiotics.

The state Health Department says cases of whooping cough are increasing in Vermont. The state says there have been 201 confirmed cases this year - and 68 of them have been reported from June 1 through August 8.

Cities and towns across Vermont are debating how to best treat their water systems to meet new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency. In Grand Isle, the debate is centering on whether to add chloramine.

State officials are concerned that the federal government will enact regulations that could undermine the competitive nature of Vermont's new health care exchange beginning in 2014.

Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen looks at the key health issues facing the state, and Congressman Peter Welch reflects on the recent debt-ceiling discussions.

The head of the Vermont State Hospital is stepping down. Terry Rowe says she is leaving the post she has held for seven years to take another job in state government.

With the arrival of spring, Vermonters will be spending more time outside - and the Vermont Health Department is warning people to be on the lookout for ticks. 

Vermont's congressional delegation has introduced legislation that it says will let Vermont and other states provide better health care cheaper starting in 2014.

Today is the Great American smoke out - when people are encouraged to kick the habit. State health officials want the 83,000 Vermonters who smoke to know that help is just a few computer clicks away.

Shipments of replacement baby formula has begun arriving in Vermont, after a nationwide recall Friday on certain lots of Similac and Isomil powdered formulas.

The Vermont Health Department is offering some advice on swimming etiquette, aimed at making the summer pasttime a healthier experience.