Testing for HIV suffered a sharp setback during the first year of the pandemic, new government data shows. The number of HIV tests funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered in health care settings dropped 43% between 2019 and 2020, the study showed. Tests administered in non-health care settings dropped… read on > read on >
(HealthDay News) – After a very long wait, babies, toddlers and preschoolers can now get COVID-19 shots. Many parents may feel relief, but some may also have questions. Dr. Jessica Ericson, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa., offers some answers to help parents weigh the benefits of… read on > read on >
Despite improvements in treatment for heart attacks, care lags behind for women. Women are still less likely to receive timely care, according to a new study that reviewed 450,000 patient records for two types of heart attacks. “Heart attack treatments have come a long way but timely access to appropriate care is still an issue,… read on > read on >
Getting a COVID-19 booster shot can significantly increase an at-risk person’s immunity and protect against the contagious Omicron variant. New research focusing on nursing home residents and their caregivers found a third dose of vaccine boosted antibodies by more than 85%, with high levels of Omicron-specific immunity. The study authors said the results underscore the… read on > read on >
When the early days of the pandemic prompted social distancing measures and gym closures, people with certain disabilities had a much harder time getting exercise and their mental health suffered, new research shows. Researchers studying those impacts surveyed more than 950 people with diverse disabilities. They identified four categories of individuals within the disability community… read on > read on >
While 8 in 10 Americans ages 65 and older say they want to age in their homes, it’s not always possible when health declines. Knowing when a loved one needs a more supportive environment, such as assisted living, continuing care retirement community or a nursing home, can be challenging. Though “aging in place” remains a… read on > read on >
More Americans now live in wildfire zones as wildfire seasons have become longer, with hotter, faster-moving fires. If you’re one of those who live in a location threatened by wildfires, it’s important to be prepared, according to Environment America, a national network of 30 state environmental groups. You should have a plan for evacuation in… read on > read on >
You and your best friend may have your noses to thank in helping bring you together, a new study suggests. Researchers found that pairs of friends who’d just “clicked” upon meeting tended to smell more alike, compared to random pairs of strangers. What’s more, a high-tech electronic nose was able to predict, based on body… read on > read on >
On Thursday, New York City became the first U.S. city to start offering the monkeypox vaccine to those at high risk for the disease. The announcement follows similar ones issued from the United Kingdom and Canada. Although most cases of the disease have been reported among gay and bisexual men, anyone can get it from… read on > read on >
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on Friday that overturns the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a woman’s right to abortion. “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion… and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives,” the high court said in its opinion… read on > read on >
