When prescription drug “list” prices go up, patients often take a hit in the wallet, a new study shows. Researchers found that while some people are buffered against drug price hikes by their health insurance plan, many are not. Those in plans that require co-insurance or a deductible for prescriptions typically watch their out-of-pocket expenses… read on > read on >
A quarter of heart attack patients have atypical symptoms and are less likely to receive emergency care, Danish research reveals. These patients are also more likely to die within 30 days than those with chest pain. Atypical heart attack symptoms include breathing problems, extreme exhaustion and abdominal pain. “Atypical symptoms were most common among older… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, May 6, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Soaring blood pressure. A racing heartbeat. Trouble sleeping. Excessive worrying. Difficulty concentrating. These are warning signs of out-of-control stress and anxiety, and their roots could begin long before you might think. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the United States, affecting nearly… read on > read on >
It’s long been known that obesity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 in infected people. But new research suggests that the connection may be even stronger for men than women. Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City analyzed data from more than 3,500 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital between early March… read on > read on >
The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it will support a controversial proposal to waive patent protections for coronavirus vaccines, while the drug industry warned such a move would actually dampen the development of vaccines. The United States had been a holdout at the World Trade Organization over the proposal, which could give drugmakers around… read on > read on >
A new survey confirms what many young Black Americans already know: They are vulnerable to anxiety disorders, particularly during contact with the police or in anticipation of police contact. “I think it’s important, given what’s going on in society,” said survey author Robert Motley, Race and Opportunity Lab Manager at Washington University in St. Louis.… read on > read on >
In two real-world studies, Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appears to be standing up well against the challenges posed by more contagious coronavirus variants from Britain and South Africa. The Pfizer mRNA vaccine showed about 90% documented effectiveness in protecting against infection with the British B.1.1.7 variant and 75% effectiveness against the South African B.1.351 variant, according… read on > read on >
The weight-loss drug Saxenda can keep extra pounds off — but combining it with exercise brings a bigger payoff, a new clinical trial finds. The study found that some longstanding advice is valid: Prescription weight-loss drugs work best when used along with — and not in place of — lifestyle changes. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a… read on > read on >
Two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provide a high level of protection for populations, a new study shows. The findings from Israel — the first nation to report national data on the vaccine — show that two doses provide more than 95% protection for people 16 and older against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death.… read on > read on >
Access to free or low-cost birth control may be an important factor in improving young women’s futures, according to new research from Colorado. When access to affordable birth control increased, the percentage of young women leaving high school before graduation dropped by double digits, while the rates of pregnancies and abortions also dropped. The study,… read on > read on >
