There’s been plenty of scientific debate about whether vaping is safer than tobacco, and whether it may help some people stop smoking. According to a recent Cochrane Review analysis of 78 studies, electronic cigarettes show more success in helping people quit smoking than traditional nicotine-replacement therapies, such as nicotine patches and gums. “The most important… read on > read on >
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There’s Been a Big Decline in the Rate of Americans Hit by Disability
A new study delivers some great news to older Americans, something many likely already realize in their daily lives. The prevalence of disabilities among seniors is down sharply from what it was just a decade before, researchers say. Fewer older adults have limitations in the activities that are an important part of daily life, from… read on > read on >
AHA News: Lifelong Runner and Newlywed Gets Pacemaker to Power Her Heart
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — After their Hawaii honeymoon, newlyweds Jackie Ng-Osorio and her husband, Kane, set a goal of training together for the Honolulu Marathon. The race went well. Afterward, Ng-Osorio, who was 26 at the time, eased back into shorter daily runs. But she noticed her heart rate stayed… read on > read on >
China’s Surge in COVID Cases Has Produced No New Variants: Study
Amidst the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China, scientists are saying it appears no new variants developed. “Given the impact that variants have had on the course of the pandemic, it was important to investigate whether any new ones emerged following the recent changes to China’s COVID-19 prevention and control policies,” said lead author George Gao,… read on > read on >
Big Changes Are Coming to U.S. Health Care as Pandemic Emergencies Expire
Americans received unprecedented access to health care during the pandemic, including hassle-free public insurance and free tests, treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. Now, they need to prepare for most of that to unwind, experts say. “Essentially, Congress and the administration moved to a model of universal health coverage for COVID vaccines, treatments and tests” during… read on > read on >
Surge in Severe Strep Cases in Kids Was Really a Return to Normal: CDC
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) – While a health alert warned doctors late last year about rising cases of severe strep in children, U.S. officials now say those numbers were actually a return to normal. “Based on preliminary 2022 data, iGAS [invasive group A streptococcal] infections in children have returned to levels similar to… read on > read on >
Americans Getting More Comfortable Talking Over Mental Health With Doctors
Primary care doctors are no longer just in the physical health business: Americans are increasingly turning to them for mental health care, too, a new study finds. Looking at Americans’ primary care visits between 2006 and 2018, researchers found a 50% increase in the proportion of visits that addressed mental health concerns. That figure rose… read on > read on >
Long COVID Risk May Be Especially High for Cancer Patients
Many cancer patients who are infected with COVID-19 are left with lingering symptoms. A new study, published Feb. 7 in eLife, found that more than half of cancer patients develop long COVID, and women were especially at risk. “Although cancer patients fall into a higher COVID-19 risk group there is limited data on PASC in… read on > read on >
Tying the Knot Could Keep High Blood Sugar at Bay
Getting hitched could help middle-aged and older folks get a better handle on their blood sugar, a new study reports. People living with a spouse appeared to be better able to maintain lower blood sugar levels than single folks, according to the findings. This benefit held regardless of the state of their relationship, the researchers… read on > read on >
Flu Shot Could Be a Lifesaver for Folks With Chronic Ills
The U.S. flu season is expected to extend into spring, and experts say it’s not too late to get a flu shot. Last year’s flu season was mild, but this season has already seen triple the number of flu-related deaths in the United States. “Even a minor respiratory virus can be hard on someone with… read on > read on >