Depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health problems sent record numbers of American kids, especially girls, to emergency rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once there, many waited days or even weeks to be admitted to the hospital, a new study reports. “The system was already stretched to begin with and then the pandemic hit and… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Being Isolated May Shrink the Aging Brain
Older adults who regularly spend time with family and friends may have bigger brains to show for it, a new study suggests. Healthy brain aging is a complex matter, and researchers are still trying to understand which factors keep the mind sharp and which ones feed declines in memory and thinking. But a number of… read on > read on >
AHA News: ‘Heart Sisters’: How One Family’s Loss Led to New Life and a Deep Friendship
THURSDAY, July 13, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — When Jennifer Mayadas-Dering started coughing and having a headache, she didn’t think much of it. She was far more concerned with her son, a college freshman who was in the hospital with a lung condition. From his bedside, she called her doctor. “It’s just your asthma,”… read on > read on >
FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the nation’s first over-the-counter birth control pill, a move that will likely pave the way for far greater access to contraception for Americans. Women will be able to buy the progestin-only oral contraceptive at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, the FDA said. There is… read on > read on >
Nearly 1 in 5 Say Their Workplace Can Be Toxic, Poll Finds
About one-fifth of American workers say their workplace is toxic, and many say their mental health is harmed as a result. The American Psychological Association (APA) questioned 2,515 employed adults in April for its annual Work in America Survey. Nineteen percent stated that their workplace is very or somewhat toxic. “The number of individuals who… read on > read on >
In the Name of Better Slumber, a Third of American Couples Choose ‘Sleep Divorce’
More than one-third of coupled Americans who want better sleep are opting for a “sleep divorce.” They’re not actually divorcing, but sleeping in another room so that they each sleep better. “We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners. There… read on > read on >
Could ‘Produce Prescriptions’ Save $40 Billion in Medical Bills Among Those With Diabetes? Study Says Yes
A bunch of healthy fruits and vegetables could be just what the doctor ordered. Nonprofit groups and public health agencies have experimented with the idea of a produce prescription over the years. Now, a new study simulates what would happen if patients with diabetes and diet-related conditions were given free or discounted produce and nutrition… read on > read on >
Targeted Treatment Shrinks Rare Brain Tumors in Small Study
A targeted treatment has had unprecedented success in shrinking a rare brain tumor, according to clinical trial results. These tumors are papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCPs), and the drug combo is called vemurafenib/cobimetinib. Each of 15 patients who received one or more cycles of targeted therapy responded to treatment, with an average 91% reduction in tumor size,… read on > read on >
New Bionic Implant Allows Control of All Fingers
A multinational team of engineers and surgeons has developed a bionic hand with a high level of function in every finger — a significant advance for amputees. The team, from the United States, Sweden, Australia and Italy, developed a way to reconfigure what remains of a patient’s limb. Then, they integrated sensors and a skeletal… read on > read on >
COVID-19 May Have Spread Between Humans, Deer
New research shows that humans and deer passed the coronavirus back and forth in late 2021 and early 2022, raising concerns that this animal reservoir could become a source of new variants. Humans passed the virus to deer more than 100 times during that period, according to the study, which was led by the U.S.… read on > read on >