As a tool to reduce the public health toll of drinking, higher taxes on alcohol get the most bang for the buck, a new study finds. Worldwide, more than 4 percent of diseases and 5 percent of deaths are directly linked with alcohol, previous research suggests. In this study, researchers looked at data from 16… read on >
Strict regulation of semi-automatic guns, accessories and ammunition is needed to stop “senseless” gun violence in the United States, an association of trauma surgeons contends. Guns are involved in more than 38,000 deaths and at least 85,000 non-fatal injuries every year in the United States, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) states… read on >
Eating fewer calories is essential when you want to lose weight, but there’s growing evidence that the quality of those calories matters, too. Eating high-quality foods not only boosts weight loss, but also reduces your risk for chronic diseases. High-quality foods are fresh or minimally processed. Think vegetables and fruits, whole grains, plant-based fats and… read on >
Feelings of stress and anxiety can make it difficult to cope with everyday life. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers these suggestions: Accept that you can’t control everything. Avoid focusing on perfection. Keep a positive attitude. Identify what triggers your anxiety. Limit alcohol and caffeine. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Get enough sleep.… read on >
Before having major surgery, it may be helpful to get a second opinion on whether the procedure is medically necessary. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suggests getting a second opinion if your doctor says you need non-emergency surgery. The agency suggests: Ask the first doctor to send your medical records to the… read on >
Attention guys: Your tighty whities may not be doing your sperm any favors. Men who wear tight-fitting briefs have sperm counts that suffer in comparison to men who wear boxers, according to results from the largest study to date on the controversial topic. “Men who wore tighter underwear had lower sperm counts than men who… read on >
Parents often struggle to get their kids to eat more vegetables. But could something as simple as a picture of broccoli on a plate get children to load up on the healthy stuff? Probably, at least for preschoolers, a new study reports. When the kids were served lunch on a plate divided into four sections… read on >
Only about half the parents of asthmatic preschoolers had the right knowledge and medicines on hand to treat their child’s breathing condition at home, a new study found. And one-third of those children had empty inhalers, the researchers reported. “The inability to treat asthma could lead to emergency department visits,” explained senior study author Michelle… read on >
Researchers have identified what they describe as the safest, most effective short-term drug treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s methylphenidate for kids and amphetamines for adults, according to a new study. Those conclusions are drawn from an analysis of more than 133 clinical trials that included more than 14,000 children and teens, as well… read on >
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations are effective for teen girls who didn’t get the recommended shots when they were 11 or 12, researchers report. The Kaiser Permanente study of more than 25,000 women aged 26 and younger found that those who got all three doses of the vaccinations between ages 14 and 20 were protected against… read on >
