Helping undocumented immigrants in the United States connect with primary care doctors could be a money-saver, substantially reducing emergency department use and lowering health costs, a new study finds. The findings are from a New York City program that helped arrange medical appointments from May 2016 to June 2017 for undocumented immigrants with limited incomes.… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Substance Abuse Greatly Raises Odds of Heart Attack, Stroke During Pregnancy
Substance abuse and pregnancy may be a dangerous combination. New research finds that pregnant women with a history of substance abuse had a dramatically increased risk of death from heart attack and stroke during childbirth compared to women with no drug history. “This telling research shows that substance use during pregnancy doubled cardiovascular events and… read on > read on >
Millions Are Exposed to Secondhand Smoke and Don’t Know It
A lot of people who think they don’t have secondhand smoke exposure actually do, according to a new study that compared survey answers with blood tests. According to the results of sensitive blood tests, more than half of American adults in the study had recently been exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. Most were not aware… read on > read on >
Wildfire Smoke Is Reversing Recent Clean-Air Gains Across the U.S.
When Canadian wildfire smoke shrouded the New York City skyline and spread to parts of New England this summer, millions of East Coast residents saw firsthand just how pervasive it can be. Now, a new study quantifies exactly what wildfire smoke is doing to hard-fought gains in cleaning up the air, even in Eastern states… read on > read on >
Could Artificial Sweeteners in Processed Food Raise Depression Risk?
Highly processed packaged foods and drinks may be quick, cheap and tasty, but new research suggests they’re also likely to up your risk for depression. Among big consumers of ultra-processed foods, depression risk may rise by as much as 50%, the new study found, particularly when those foods are artificially sweetened. “Given what we know… read on > read on >
FDA Wants More Data on First Needle-Free Antidote for Severe Allergic Reactions
In a surprising move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opted not to approve a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. Approval of the Neffy nasal spray was widely anticipated. An FDA advisory panel voted to recommend approval of the drug for children and adults in May.… read on > read on >
Rat-Borne Parasite That Can Cause Brain Disease Spreading in Southern U.S.
Brown rats found and analyzed near Atlanta now carry rat lungworm, researchers report. It’s a parasite that can trigger a dangerous brain encephalitis in both people and pets, and which now threatens a wide area of the U.S. Southeast. Researchers in Georgia say the microscopic rat lungworm, known scientifically as Angiostrongylus cantonensis, typically begins its… read on > read on >
Few Doctors, Spotty Internet: Finding Mental Health Care Tough for Many Americans
Nearly one in five counties across the United States lack psychiatrists or internet service, making it difficult for around 10.5 million Americans to find mental health care, a new study shows. The counties examined in the study were more likely to be in rural areas, have higher unemployment rates, and have populations that were more… read on > read on >
Diabetes Drug Maker Sues Over Compounded Versions of Mounjaro
Another diabetes drug maker is taking legal action against businesses in several states, alleging that they’re “fraudulently claiming” that their compounded products are the same as its medication. This time, it’s Eli Lilly suing certain medical spas, wellness centers and compounding pharmacies over its medication Mounjaro. Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and is approved… read on > read on >
You Survived a Heart Attack. Here’s How Cardiac Rehab Can Help
Cardiac rehabilitation is a key part of recovery from a heart attack, helping to prevent another, perhaps more severe one. About 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack every year, about one-quarter of whom have already had a heart attack, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But research… read on > read on >