An electric scooter might be on your kid’s wish list for Christmas, but pediatricians say parents should think twice before buying one. Even taking a child on a ride with an e-scooter is a dicey proposition, said Dr. Ashley Ebersole, a pediatrician with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio. “If you fall off an e-scooter, which… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Diabetes Meds Like Ozempic, Mounjaro Might Also Lower Risks for Colon Cancer
Could blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss meds such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound also lower users’ odds for colon cancer? New research suggests they might. All of these medications (and more) fall into a class of diabetes drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). The new study, from researchers at Case Western Reserve… read on > read on >
Suicide Rates Have Risen Steadily for Black Girls and Women
Suicide rates for Black women and girls ages 15 to 24 have more than doubled over the past two decades, a new report finds. “Suicides are rapidly increasingly among young, Black females in the U.S.,” said study first author Victoria Joseph, an analyst in the department of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health… read on > read on >
Biden Administration Delays Decision on Menthol Cigarette Ban Amid Pushback
The Biden administration has again delayed enacting a ban on menthol cigarettes following intense lobbying from the tobacco industry. Along with that pressure, other critics of the ban have warned that it might anger Black smokers, who use menthol cigarettes at far higher rates than whites — just as President Biden gears up to run… read on > read on >
Tennis Ball Impacts Can Also Cause Concussions
Games like football, soccer and rugby come to mind when thinking about sports-related concussions. But a smashing tennis shot could cause a traumatic brain injury if the ball whacks a player’s head, a new study argues. Concussions can happen if a tennis ball traveling faster than 89 miles per hour hits someone on the head,… read on > read on >
PFAS Chemicals May Harm Bones of Hispanic Teens
“Forever” PFAS chemicals appear to harm bone health in Hispanic teenagers, a new study finds. The more PFAS chemicals found in the bodies of Hispanic adolescents, the lower their bone density was, researchers report in the Dec. 6 issue of the journal Environmental Research. Peak bone mineral density in adolescence helps predict whether a person… read on > read on >
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Could Put Brakes on Type 1 Diabetes
A drug long used to curb rheumatoid arthritis may be a potent foe against another immune disorder, type 1 diabetes. Australian researchers report that baricitinib (Olumiant) appears to help patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes maintain their natural ability to produce insulin, slowing progression of the disease. Type 1 diabetes comprises about 5% of… read on > read on >
Acne in Adults Can Bring Stigma at Work and Socially
Acne can be terribly embarrassing for a teenager, but a new study has found that adults’ blemishes might have even greater consequences for their social and professional reputation. People are less likely to want to be friends, have close contact or post a pic on social media with a person who has severe acne, researchers… read on > read on >
As One Spouse’s Blood Pressure Rises, So Does the Other’s: Study
In sickness and in health — and in blood pressure, too? A new international study finds that if your blood pressure rises with time, your spouse’s might, also. “Many people know that high blood pressure is common in middle-aged and older adults, yet we were surprised to find that among many older couples, both husband… read on > read on >
State Abortion Bans Have New Doctors Staying Away
States that ban abortion could be headed to a brain drain when it comes to up-and-coming medical professionals. Three out of four future U.S. doctors say state access to abortion is a key factor in choosing where they’ll apply for their residency training, according to a survey published Dec. 5 in the journal Medical Ethics.… read on > read on >