What researchers call ‘social factors’ are largely responsible for Black Americans having a greater risk of death from heart disease than whites, according to a new study. Among the social factors that contribute to this racial disparity are unemployment, low income, lack of regular access to health care and lack of a partner, Tulane University… read on > read on >
“She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers,” Taylor Swift laments to her popular crush in the song “You Belong With Me.” The lyrics of longing to fit in at school reflect an old trope re-confirmed by a new study that compared teens in the United States and Lithuania: Kids seen by their peers as… read on > read on >
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Sure, the end of summer vacation makes many kids groan. But many will also be cheering the return of fall sports. That’s a good thing, experts say. Exercise habits form early and pay off for life, said Dr. Benjamin Levine, director of the Institute for Exercise… read on > read on >
Millions of Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and millions more struggle with an addicted family member or friend, a new poll finds. Two-thirds of those surveyed said either they or a family member have been addicted to alcohol or drugs, been homeless because of an addiction, or overdosed or died from drug use.… read on > read on >
People who daily breathe in air pollution, particularly from wildfires or agricultural sources, might need to add a heightened risk of dementia to their list of health concerns. New research looked at the potential effects of particle pollution on dementia, finding an association even when pollution levels did not exceed national ambient air quality standards.… read on > read on >
Mosquitoes can be a big pest, leaving behind itchy bumps on skin and potentially spreading serious diseases, such as West Nile virus. Sam Telford III is a professor of infectious disease and global health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and a commissioner for the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. Some counties… read on > read on >
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic” mushrooms, is getting renewed interest as a potential treatment for various health conditions. Now, a new research review argues that migraines should be added to that list. Psilocybin mushrooms have long been used recreationally as hallucinogens — meaning they alter users’ perceptions of their surroundings. That can lead to… read on > read on >
Punishing heat is a fact of life inside America’s prisons without air conditioning, and it is taking a serious toll on prisoners’ mental health. When the outside thermometer hits 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, a new study shows that prison suicide risk jumps 36%, in comparison to when temperatures are in the 60s. The finding… read on > read on >
As cannabis use has become legal in many U.S. states for medical or recreational use, Americans’ views on the drug may have gotten rosier. In fact, a new report finds that over 44% of adults now believe smoking weed each day is safer than inhaling tobacco smoke. That perception is counter to the science, however,… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Traditionally, many decisions about medical treatment were left up to doctors: They decided, and patients agreed. Today, health care professionals are embracing the idea of shared decision-making, where patients become informed partners in their choices. A new report from the American Heart Association, published Monday in… read on > read on >
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