Taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy might translate into healthier growth in children during their first six years of life, a new study suggests. “This study highlights the fact that in utero exposure can have a profound effect on the fetus that lasts through childhood,” said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Lenox Hill Hospital… read on >
U.S. voters’ despair over poor health and premature deaths might have tipped the 2016 presidential election in Donald Trump’s favor, a new analysis argues. Counties that voted Republican more heavily had a 15 percent higher age-adjusted death rate than counties that voted heavily Democratic, researchers found. In particular, counties that shifted toward Trump had much… read on >
Lawnmower injuries range from minor cuts and burns to broken bones and amputations, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand says. The society suggests how to stay safer while using a mower: Read the mower’s manual before use. Keep the mower in good working order with sharp blades. Make sure the mower has protection… read on >
Chronic back pain makes it more difficult to do your job, whether you’re behind a desk or operating heavy machinery. The Mayo Clinic suggests how to avoid back pain at work: Maintain good posture. Lift with your legs and tighten your core muscles, and avoid twisting. When possible, use a lifting device. Alternate physically demanding… read on >
Weekly fitness guidelines can seem like a laundry list of to-do’s that you just can’t get done — 30 minutes of cardio at least five days, resistance training two or three days, and at least two flexibility sessions … each and every week. Yet each type of exercise does the body good, so it’s important… read on >
Even low levels of air pollution can pose a threat to the lungs of cigarette smokers, researchers say. They tested 29 nonsmokers, 71 smokers without lung disease, and 58 smokers with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that the lungs of both groups of smokers could be harmed by levels… read on >
Your parents’ jobs likely had a strong influence on what you do for a living, according to a study that questions the belief in social mobility in the United States. “A lot of Americans think the U.S. has more social mobility than other western industrialized countries. This makes it abundantly clear that we have less,”… read on >
In vitro fertilization gives couples struggling to conceive the chance to have children, but a new study suggests these kids are at increased risk for high blood pressure. The study, of 54 teens conceived through assisted reproduction, found that eight — or 15 percent — had high blood pressure. That compared with just one case… read on >
Playtime is important to any child, especially one that is under pressure and stressed, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Playtime is a brain-building activity that’s a healthy and necessary part of childhood development, the academy adds. The group offers this advice to parents, doctors and educators: Doctors should encourage playful learning by writing a… read on >
If someone in your family is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to talk with children about what is happening, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. The amount of information you share should depend on the child’s age and maturity. The agency suggests how to help kids understand Alzheimer’s: Answer questions simply and… read on >
