Vitamin D supplements might lower the risk of heart attack and other cardiac ills for people over 60 — especially if they’re already taking heart meds, a new study suggests. “Our results suggest that further exploration of the possible benefit of vitamin D on cardiovascular events, particularly in those at higher risk of having an… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
California Cases Show Home-Grown Leprosy Is Still a Threat
Leprosy is an ancient infectious disease, but it has not been banished to the past, or from the United States. That’s the key takeaway from a new report describing six cases of leprosy among California residents. All were diagnosed between 2017 and 2022, and all were U.S.-born — that is, not hailing from a country… read on > read on >
Exercise + Weight Loss Perfect Combo to Fight Diabetes
Pairing exercise with a 10% weight loss can make a major health improvement in people living with obesity and prediabetes, a new study says. Building in regular exercise more than doubled sensitivity to insulin compared to just weight loss alone. This has the potential to prevent or delay prediabetes from progressing into type 2 diabetes… read on > read on >
‘Like She Was Not Even There’: Children With Disabilities Face Discrimination in Health Care
Children with disabilities are discriminated against in health care settings — to the detriment of their health, according to their parents. Thirty in-depth interviews with parents of children with disabilities revealed a disturbingly common thread. “They mistreated her and treated her like a robot. Every single time a nurse walked in the room, they treated… read on > read on >
New Ways to Spot Risk for CTE in Boxers, MMA Fighters
Autopsy is currently the only way to definitively diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often seen in athletes who’ve suffered repeated blows to the head. But there may be a way to predict which athletes are likely to develop CTE, researchers report June 28 in the journal Neurology. They outline criteria for… read on > read on >
After Battling Mental Health Issues, Star Gymnast Simone Biles Plans Return to Competition
After a focus on her own mental health and that of other athletes, U.S. gymnast Simone Biles will return to elite competition. Biles will begin with the Aug. 5 U.S. Classic outside of Chicago, the Associated Press reported. She has not competed since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, where she removed herself from… read on > read on >
AHA News: How Heart Attack and Stroke Survivors Can Prepare For Wildfires and Hurricanes
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Environmental disasters are difficult for anyone. For people with cardiovascular disease, they can be particularly risky. As wildfire and hurricane seasons kick into high gear, experts urge extra caution for people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke or have other forms of cardiovascular disease. Wildfire… read on > read on >
Obesity Could Slow Recovery From a Head Injury
Obesity is a known contributor to a host of health risks ranging from diabetes to cancer, but new research suggests it may also delay recovery from a mild traumatic brain injury. Why? The systemic inflammation that being obese can cause in the body may be a driving factor, according to researchers. “This is a very… read on > read on >
Forty Percent of U.S. Girls, Young Women Are Iron Deficient
Nearly 4 out of 10 girls and young women aren’t getting enough iron and they may have their periods to blame, a new U.S. study shows. Menstrual bleeding, especially when heavy, is a major risk factor for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, the researchers explained. There are health consequences associated with being low in iron,… read on > read on >
Transgender People Face Much Higher Risk of Suicide, Landmark Study Shows
(HealthDay News) – New research has found that people who are transgender are far more prone to suicide than their peers. The new study, using Denmark’s centralized data repository, found that transgender people had 7.7 times the rate of suicide attempts compared to others, the study found. They also had 3.5 times the rate of… read on > read on >