Tainted food, trash-filled parklands and even hungry kids: Public health could be increasingly at risk as the U.S. government shutdown drags into its 21st day, experts say. Crucial inspections intended to protect Americans have either been curtailed or are not being performed because the responsible federal workers have been furloughed, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive… read on >
Pregnant women who get a flu shot protect not only themselves, but also their developing baby, health officials report. When a mom-to-be gets the flu, she can be so sick she needs to be admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit. And new research finds her baby then runs the risk of being born preterm,… read on >
Problems with flu vaccine distribution in the United States may cost lives and pose a serious threat in the event of a flu pandemic, researchers warn. However, a computer model shows that proposed changes to the current distribution system could save thousands of lives, said study co-leader Pinar Keskinocak. She and her colleagues recommend replenishing… read on >
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, but studies have found that one strategy in particular can help many people: Start anti-smoking medication well before your intended quit date. Under traditional prescribing guidelines, people who plan to quit smoking with the help of a medication begin taking their anti-smoking drug about one… read on >
A large, new analysis helps confirm that eating lots of grains, vegetables and fruit lowers your risk of dying early from cancer or heart disease. When compared with those who consume very little fiber, people at the high end of the fiber-eating spectrum saw their risk for dying from heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes… read on >
Every day they help feed, bathe and care for the frailest Americans. But female health care workers in the United States often get shortchanged on wages and health insurance, a new study finds. In fact, about one-third of female health care workers made less than $15 an hour, and that number rose to half when… read on >
A simple potty stool under your feet might help cure constipation, researchers say. “These toilet stools became popular through things like viral videos and social media, but there was really no medical evidence to show whether or not they are effective,” said researcher Dr. Peter Stanich. He is an assistant professor of gastroenterology, hepatology and… read on >
A vacation or business trip to a developing country can lead to a nasty case of travelers’ diarrhea — if you’re not careful. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers this advice on what to avoid during travel to developing nations: Drinking tap water. Using tap water to make ice,… read on >
Many doctors may worry about giving their hospital patients a flu shot, but a new study suggests they can relax. “We know rates of inpatient flu vaccination are low, often due to physician concerns that the vaccine could complicate healing or delay hospital discharge,” explained study author Sara Tartof, from the Kaiser Permanente Southern California… read on >
It’s a novel idea, but joining a choir at work might lower your stress levels while on the job, a new British study suggests. It included 58 people who were part of workplace choirs in different organizations. They completed questionnaires that assessed their work-related demands, control and support. Being part of a workplace choir was… read on >
