Punishing heat is a fact of life inside America’s prisons without air conditioning, and it is taking a serious toll on prisoners’ mental health. When the outside thermometer hits 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, a new study shows that prison suicide risk jumps 36%, in comparison to when temperatures are in the 60s. The finding… read on > read on >
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More Americans Than Ever Believe Marijuana Smoke Is Safer Than Cigarette Smoke. They’re Wrong
As cannabis use has become legal in many U.S. states for medical or recreational use, Americans’ views on the drug may have gotten rosier. In fact, a new report finds that over 44% of adults now believe smoking weed each day is safer than inhaling tobacco smoke. That perception is counter to the science, however,… read on > read on >
AHA News: What Is Shared Decision-Making, and How Can It Help Patients?
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Traditionally, many decisions about medical treatment were left up to doctors: They decided, and patients agreed. Today, health care professionals are embracing the idea of shared decision-making, where patients become informed partners in their choices. A new report from the American Heart Association, published Monday in… read on > read on >
Drinking, Often Heavy, Is Common Among Cancer Survivors
Many Americans diagnosed with cancer continue to drink alcohol regularly — sometimes heavily and sometimes during treatment, a new study shows. The study, of over 15,000 U.S. cancer survivors, found that 78% were current drinkers. And of them, significant percentages said they binged or engaged in other “risky” drinking. The same patterns were seen even… read on > read on >
Don’t Use Certain Tests for Pregnancy, Ovulation, UTIs, FDA Warns
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2023 (HealthDay News) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that consumers should not use certain pregnancy, ovulation, urine, UTI and breast milk test kits over concerns that the tests may not be safe and effective. The tests in question were manufactured by Universal Meditech Inc. (UMI), though they were… read on > read on >
Post-Pandemic End to Food Assistance Programs Meant 2 Million More Americans Went Hungry
The federal government recently stopped pandemic-related emergency food aid, leaving perhaps 2 million more Americans without enough to eat. Emergency allotments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, ended in March in all states that hadn’t already cut them. After this temporary increase in SNAP benefits ended, recipients experienced a… read on > read on >
PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Some Period Products
Some menstrual products — pads, tampons, cups and underwear — contain harmful “forever chemicals,” according to new research into the contents of these essential items. Researchers analyzed more than 100 period products looking for fluorinated compounds, an indicator of potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The products typically don’t list ingredients on their… read on > read on >
Moving Into a Smoker’s Former Home? You May Need to Toss the Carpet
If you’re moving into a home where smokers lived, the first thing you should do to protect your lungs is rip out any old carpeting, new research suggests. Scientists found that tobacco smoke clings to carpet fibers long after smoking has stopped, and ozone generators that purify the air and surfaces can’t remove it completely.… read on > read on >
Help Kids Hit ‘Reset’ on Sleep as They Head Back to School
Keeping to a consistent bedtime routine is the key to helping your kids get restful and refreshing sleep. Fortunately, about 81% of parents with kids under 18 surveyed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) say that’s happening in their house. The AASM offers some sleep tips to start the school year off right.… read on > read on >
Back-to-School Tips on Preventing Asthma, Allergy Flares in Kids
Heading back to school requires supplies and planning for all, but if you’re a parent of a child with allergies or asthma then you have even more to consider. “The start of a new school year is exciting for some, but for parents of children with allergies and asthma, their thoughts are probably on keeping… read on > read on >