By definition, obesity is defined as a complex, chronic and progressive disease involving biology, environment and behavior. According to Dr. Dwight McKenna, Orleans Parish Coroner, when patients understand what obesity is, they can better control it. McKenna says obesity is in fact a disease and there is a reason why patients are struggling with weight Read More

There is a lot of talk these days about the pros and cons of medical marijuana. It’s a hot topic that has a lot of people wanting more information. Orleans Parish Coroner, Dr. Dwight McKenna, weighs in on a few things you should know. 33 state legislatures have legalized medical marijuana for a wide variety Read More

If you are like many Americans, you may have noticed brown spots on your skin as you begin to age. They’re often called age spots, but the colored spots that develop on your skin over time could be called sun spots. Either way, they can be a source of concern. So, what can you do Read More

There is an increase in the use of people using electronic cigarettes, AKA “vaping,” electronic battery powered devices that heat up nicotine-infused liquids to produce smoke. Nicotine is the primary agent in both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and it is highly addictive. It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you Read More

There were (208) accidental drug-related deaths in Orleans Parish in 2018, as compared to (219) in 2017, (211) in 2016, and (92) in 2015: 80% (166) of accidental drug-related deaths in 2018 were male, and 20% (43) were female. No significant change was seen in gender distribution during the last several years. 50% (105) were Read More

Orleans Parish Coroner, Dr. Dwight McKenna, says the number of heart attacks has gone down over the past two decades and older people are much more likely to survive them. McKenna says this information comes from analysis of the health records of 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries. A report published in the journal JAMA Network Open Read More

Orleans Parish Coroner, Dr. Dwight McKenna, wants you to know the potential dangers of intimate partner violence, also known as, “grave yard love.” An intimate partner is someone who you share a close, emotional, physical, and personal relationship with. If the relationship turns violent be warned, it could lead to death. Experts say many people Read More

Orleans Parish Coroner, Dr. Dwight McKenna, wants you to know what to do if you are dependent on alcohol. If you didn’t know, alcohol use disorder is a common and often untreated condition that is prevalent in the United States. It is a serious disorder that accounts for an estimated 3.8% of all global deaths Read More

Managing Grief During the Holidays The holiday season can be a very difficult time for people who have lost a loved one. Often there are memories of good times and togetherness during the holiday season that remind us of our loss. Holidays sometimes force us to realize how much our lives have been changed by Read More

Breast Cancer in Men…It Happens Do you know that men have breast tissue and they can develop breast cancer? Breast cancer can spread when the cancer cells get into the blood or lymph system and are carried to other parts of the body. This year, there will be about 2,550 new cases diagnosed in men Read More