In a finding that suggests the updated bivalent COVID booster shots are worth getting, new government data shows they cut the chances of infection with the new XBB variant by nearly half. While those ages 49 and under saw a 48% reduction in risk, the shots were slightly less effective in older individuals — about… read on > read on >
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Home Workouts Help Your Brain, But Group Exercise May Be Even Better
A good physical workout benefits an older brain. So does socializing. Put those two together and the payoff may be even bigger. Researchers in Japan found that link in a new study that looked at exercising solo and in a group. “Exercise is manageable for many older people, and we saw cognitive benefits from it… read on > read on >
Women, Keep Moving to Help Keep Mental Decline at Bay
A lot of people wear watches that count their every step as they try to move more. Now, a new study finds that getting more of those steps each day, along with moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise, could cut the risk of dementia and thinking impairments for women. For women aged 65 or older, each additional 31… read on > read on >
Mom’s Exposure to Dirty Air in Pregnancy Could Harm a Toddler’s Development
A mother-to-be’s exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may have a lasting impact on her baby’s brain development, new research indicates. Toddlers scored lower on assessments for thinking, motor and language skills when their mothers had more exposure to pollutants during pregnancy, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Our findings suggest that… read on > read on >
Preeclampsia in Pregnancy a Bad Sign for Women’s Future Heart Health
A new study finds troubling information about a link between the pregnancy complication preeclampsia and future heart attack, even in younger women. Danish researchers found a fourfold higher risk of heart attack and stroke within just seven years after delivery. Risks continued to be elevated more than 20 years later, according to findings published Jan.… read on > read on >
40-Year Study Finds Weight-Loss Surgery Extending Life Spans
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 25, 2023 (HealthDay News) – It’s well known that obesity fuels an increase in a person’s risk for other chronic health conditions. Now, a new study shows that weight-loss surgery could set that person’s health, and longevity, on a different path. Utah researchers who followed patients for up to 40 years after they… read on > read on >
Could Bad Sleep in Teen Years Raise Risks for MS?
Teens who regularly fail to get a good night’s sleep may face a higher risk for developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as adults, new research suggests. “We found that sleeping too little or experiencing poor sleep quality [as a teen] increased the risk of later developing MS by up to 50%,” said study author Dr. Anna… read on > read on >
1 in 3 U.S. Public Health Workers Feels Threatened During Pandemic
One-third of public health workers have endured threats, anger and aggression from the public during the pandemic, and that has come at a steep cost to their mental health, a new study finds. “The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers have been documented and the research on psychological impacts is building,” said lead… read on > read on >
AHA News: Older LGBTQ Adults Face Unique Challenges in Giving and Receiving Care
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 25, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Every morning, Luther Moxley helps his partner of 35 years, Wayne Curtis, out of bed and into his wheelchair. Curtis, who has Parkinson’s disease and is partially blind, washes himself seated in the shower, but he needs Moxley to dry him and help him back into… read on > read on >
Nearly 1 in 5 American Adults Takes Sleep Meds
Nearly 20% of American adults use a drug to help them sleep, either occasionally or regularly, health officials reported Wednesday. Sleep medications, sold both over-the-counter and by prescription, are a common treatment for sleep problems, said senior report author Lindsey Black, a health statistician at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center… read on > read on >