Three anti-smoking groups announced Tuesday that they have sued the U.S. government yet again after it missed its latest deadline for enacting a ban on menthol cigarettes. This is the second lawsuit that the plaintiffs — the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, Action on Smoking and Health and the National Medical Association — have… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Doctors Still Beat AI in Offering Accurate Medical Advice: Study
It might be too soon to rely solely on machine learning for health advice, a new study finds. After pitting the latest AI against actual human physicians, the doctors easily won, reports a team led by Dr. Andrei Brateanu, of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. For now anyway, “AI tools should not be seen as substitutes… read on > read on >
Too Often, Postpartum Depression Goes Untreated in Black, Hispanic Women
Massive racial disparities exist in the treatment of pregnancy-related mood disorders in the United States, a new study shows. White women suffering from depression or anxiety during or after pregnancy are nearly twice as likely receive treatment as women of color are, researchers report April 1 in the journal Health Affairs. About two-thirds of white… read on > read on >
1 in 5 U.S. Cancer Patients Join in Medical Research
More patients these days are taking part in cancer research, a new study finds. At least one in five people with cancer (22%) participate in some form of clinical research, when all types of cancer studies are considered, researchers found. Moreover, enrollment in cancer treatment trials was 7%, more than double previous participation estimates of… read on > read on >
Sports Gambling, Binge Drinking a Dangerous Duo for Health
People who gamble on sports are more likely to be binge drinkers as well, a new report finds. Both women and men who bet on sports were at least twice as likely to binge drink compared to non-gamblers, results showed. Further, the odds of binge drinking increased with the frequency of gambling. “With past research… read on > read on >
FDA Clears 15-Minute Bedside Test to Gauge Soldiers’ Brain Injury
When a soldier is rushed to medical care following a blast or other injury to the head, time is crucial in deciding just how extensive that injury is. Now, the U.S. Army has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a bedside whole blood test that can answer that question in about… read on > read on >
Most Folks With Heart Disease Consume Too Much Salt
Cutting back on sodium is crucial to treating heart disease, but most heart patients aren’t able to limit their salt intake, a new study finds. On average, people with heart disease consume more than double the daily recommended amount of salt, researchers report. Sodium is essential for human health, but taking in too much can… read on > read on >
Florida Supreme Court Backs Abortion Ban, But Allows Referendum on Issue
In two separate rulings on Monday, the Florida Supreme Court backed that state’s abortion ban while also allowing a proposed constitutional amendment that could undo that ban to be placed on the November ballot. In a 6-1 vote, the court upheld the constitutionality of the state’s 15-week abortion ban, which has been in effect since… read on > read on >
One-Third of Americans Don’t Know Vision Risks From Solar Eclipse, Survey Finds
A total eclipse of the sun is coming up next week, and many folks don’t know that watching it unprotected can cause permanent eye damage, a new survey finds. Nearly 30% of Americans don’t know that looking directly into a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause permanent distortions or blind spots in their… read on > read on >
Could the Keto Diet Help Ease Psychiatric Conditions?
Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder tend to see their conditions ease after four months on the ketogenic (“keto”) diet, a small pilot study finds. While no one is saying the diet should replace standard medications, the researchers believe it could provide additional help for some. “It’s very promising and very encouraging that you can… read on > read on >