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Health Topics

Health topics

Browse topics to help you live your best life.

July

Support Groups
Eau Claire, WI In Person

This peer support group meets twice a month on the first and third Mondays, and is for seniors who have been deeply impacted by grief. The group provides an open, welcoming and safe space to explore experiences with others who understand.

Attend sessions as desired.

Call Bereavement Services at 715-464-5086 for more information.

Fitness & Weight Management
Red Wing, MN Virtual

This virtual class is held weekly and includes a gentle movement practice, relaxation techniques and breathing practices to reduce pain, improve sleep, increase energy, restore balance, and improve your attitude and overall quality of life. The class is personalized to meet participant needs. For these yoga poses, participants will sit in a chair and stand using a chair for balance. This class may help people with chronic health conditions, such as pain, diabetes, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis.

Michele Hoffman, a Mayo Clinic Health System Integrative Medicine & Health certified yoga therapist, will teach the class.

After registration, a Zoom link will be emailed. Start your six sessions anytime. You can continue attending for an additional $55 for six more classes.

Classes will not be held on holidays.

Prenatal & Parenting
Red Wing, MN In Person

This class is for after your baby is born. Parents and baby are welcomed back to the classroom for the new challenges of baby care and parenting.

Educators and lactation consultants will answer parent questions and review topics such as baby care, growth and development, weight gain, lactation and feeding issues, and facing new challenges. Attend as many classes as desired. Family members and siblings age 6 and older are welcome.

Registration is not required.

If there is inclement weather, Mayo Clinic Health System will likely cancel class.


This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver at so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.

Prenatal & Parenting
Austin, MN In Person

This two-hour class is recommended for expecting parents who are considering or have decided to breastfeed. Partners are encouraged to attend. Topics include advantages of breastfeeding, initiation of breastfeeding, latch and positioning, expressing and storing breast milk, breastfeeding lifestyle, common breastfeeding problems and resources.

Class may be canceled for low enrollment and/or severe weather and staff will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email.

This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.

Support Groups
Eau Claire, WI In Person

This support group provides those affected by a brain injury the help, support and resources to resume their everyday lives, including:

  • Opportunities to share experiences and resources for support.
  • Guidance on living with or supporting a loved one living with a brain injury, such as strategies for adjusting and adapting to symptoms.
  • Interactive activities (e.g., bike riding) and activities that promote better brain health.
  • Support for family and friends.
  • Virtual and in-person options.

Call Rehabilitation Services at 715-838-6190 for more information.

Prenatal & Parenting
Mankato, MN In Person

This five-week series, held on Tuesdays, for moms at 24–32 weeks' gestation and their support person. Topics include a variety of information on pregnancy, the process of labor and delivery, comfort measures, the days transitioning from pregnancy to the postpartum period, newborn care and the adjustments of being new parents. Registration is required and class size is limited.

This class is open to current Mayo Clinic Health System OB-GYN patients. It is ideal to attend a class from the location you plan to deliver so you will be prepared with local birth center processes. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System OB patient, view Mayo Clinic prenatal class offerings.

Class cancellations

If a class is canceled, Mayo Clinic Health System will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email. Mayo Clinic Health System reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum size requirements. If local schools are cancelled, so are prenatal education offerings. Alternative classes will be offered whenever possible. Call 507-594-2667 for cancellation or postponement information.

Fitness & Weight Management
Virtual

This class is open to Greater Minnesota residents only.

In this virtual class, you will learn how our comprehensive program of dietary counseling, behavior modification, exercise, medication and surgery can lead to a healthier life.

We'll answer these and other questions:

  • What weight-loss options are available?
  • What are the benefits and risks of surgery?
  • What can I expect if I decide to have weight-loss surgery?
  • How do I get started?

You must have a patient portal account to participate.

Registration for each session is limited. We'll contact you with alternative dates if your preferred session is full.

Support Groups
Eau Claire, WI In Person

This in-person monthly gathering is for informal conversation, camaraderie and support for women after the death of a spouse or significant other.

No food or drink is allowed in the conference room.

Fitness & Weight Management
Red Wing, MN In Person

This ongoing, in-person class includes a gentle movement practice, relaxation techniques and breathing practices to reduce pain, improve sleep, increase energy, restore balance, and improve your attitude and overall quality of life. The class is personalized to meet participant needs. For these yoga poses, participants will sit in a chair and stand using a chair for balance. This class may help people with chronic health conditions, such as pain, diabetes, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arthritis.

Michele Hoffman, a Mayo Clinic Health System Integrative Medicine & Health certified yoga therapist, will teach the class.

Start your six sessions anytime. You can continue attending for an additional $55 for six more classes.

Classes will not be held on holidays.

Prenatal & Parenting
Fairmont, MN In Person

This group is for new mothers and mothers-to-be interested in breastfeeding. Baby Cafe is a national network of breastfeeding drop-ins, combining breastfeeding information in a relaxed, informal environment where mothers can chat and learn about breastfeeding from skilled practitioners and each other. Registration is not required, this is a drop-in offering. 

Class Cancellations

If a class is canceled, Mayo Clinic Health System will make every attempt to reach you by phone or email. Mayo Clinic Health System reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum size requirements. If local schools are cancelled, so are prenatal education offerings. Alternative classes will be offered whenever possible. Call 507-594-4607 for cancellation or postponement information.

Prenatal & Parenting
Eau Claire, WI In Person

Tours are open to current patients and nonpatients wanting to learn more about Mayo Clinic Health System.

Meet staff by the fountain, located in the hospital lobby. Enter through the main hospital entrance or the parking ramp hallway.

 

Youth & Family Programs
In Person

Student-athletes entering grades 7–12 and collegiate athletes are invited to schedule an exam for sports participation in the 2026-2027 school year.

The visit includes a comprehensive well-child exam, completion of required sports physical forms and the opportunity to receive recommended immunizations with parent/guardian consent. The visit will be billed through insurance. Financial assistance options may be available. Students under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Prior to appointment:

  • Complete the pre-visit questionnaire in the Mayo Clinic Patient Portal.
  • Student-athletes must bring a completed MSHSL physical exam eligibility form.
  • Collegiate athletes must bring any forms required by their university.
  • Athletes and parents/guardians must complete the health history section on the sports physical form.

View the sports exam flyer for important details for parents, guardians and students.

Hometown Health Blog

Afib and irregular heartbeat symptoms: What you need to know

Afib is a common heart rhythm disorder that can cause a rapid, irregular heartbeat. Recognizing the symptoms and when to get care may protect your heart health.

Divya Korpu MD By Divya Korpu June 11, 2026

Pink eye: Symptoms, causes and when to seek care

Pink eye is a common eye condition that affects people of all ages and can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, contagious.

April 6, 2026

When to seek care for cold, flu and RSV

If you are dealing with coughs, fevers or congestion, know when to seek medical care and when symptoms can be managed at home.

March 10, 2026

Is your sinus pressure a sinus infection?

Sinus infections (acute sinusitis) occur when the air‑filled spaces around your nose become inflamed and swollen.

February 9, 2026

Unexpected vacation ending leads to rare tumor discovery

After a family vacation, Izzy Iverson started having significant pain. Her family soon learned she would need surgery to remove a rare tumor in her chest called a teratoma.

February 5, 2026

Is your cough acute bronchitis?

Learn how a lingering cough may be caused by acute bronchitis.

January 28, 2026

Newborn jaundice and light therapy

Jaundice is common and often harmless, but some babies require treatment to prevent complications. Understanding jaundice and how it's managed can help parents feel prepared.

Dennis Costakos MD By Dennis Costakos December 9, 2025

A lifesaver saved: An EMS veteran’s journey from rescue to recovery

After dedicating 43 years to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Don Hauge suddenly found himself on the receiving end of the very care he once provided.

November 14, 2025

How to help your child reach a healthy weight

New findings show that "baby fat" doesn't routinely melt away as children grow. Now's the time to help a child struggling with obesity reach a healthy weight. These tips can help you on this journey.

October 29, 2025

Think outside the cereal box

Are you skipping breakfast because you think it will help you lose weight? We'll explain why you should think differently.

October 15, 2025

3 steps to control your environment and weight

When you think about managing your weight, eating healthy foods and physical activity come to mind. But have you thought about your eating environments? Tackle them with some addition, subtraction and saying no.

October 15, 2025

Clean eating: What does that mean?

Most Americans eat a diet rich in heavily processed foods packed with fat, sugar, sodium, chemicals, preservatives, food dyes and other additives. Learn how and why clean eating can be a healthy way of living.

October 14, 2025