Americans are less anxious than they were in early 2020, at the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, but many still have anxiety about keeping themselves or their families safe. In a new poll by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 70% of U.S. adults reported being anxious or extremely anxious about keeping safe. About 78% of… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Talking to Your Toddler Could Bring Real Benefits to Their Brain
When parents talk to their toddlers, they are not only teaching them words, but may be shaping their developing brains, too, a new study suggests. Researchers found that toddlers whose parents spent a lot of time talking to them day to day showed a particular brain characteristic: a greater concentration of myelin in language-related parts… read on > read on >
Cost of Being Black in America: 1.6 Million Extra Deaths Over Two Decades
Over the past two decades, premature deaths have cost Black Americans over 80 million more lost years of life, compared with white Americans, a new study finds. The study is the latest to highlight the nation’s longstanding racial disparities in health and life expectancy. And while the problem is well known, the new findings frame… read on > read on >
CDC Warns That Mpox Could Make a Summer Return
Public health officials are urging people at risk of contracting mpox, the virus previously called monkeypox, to get vaccinated. They are concerned that a slowdown in infections since last summer may not continue. “There’s a very real risk of there being a surge in mpox cases over the next few months. Most likely, it won’t… read on > read on >
Bipolar Disorder: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatments
More than 10 million people in the United States are living with bipolar disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). It’s characterized by severe, dramatic shifts in mood that can catch people off guard. The name captures the dramatic swing from elation to despair. With treatment, many people with bipolar disorder lead… read on > read on >
Appeals Court Ruling Keeps Obamacare Preventive Health Care Coverage in Place for Now
Americans will continue to be able to get free preventive health care services — at least for now. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans temporarily blocked a lower court decision on Monday, pausing a ruling that challenged an Affordable Care Act provision that all health plans cover certain care,… read on > read on >
Even Decades After Use, Anabolic Steroids Could Take Big Toll on Health
Lured by promises of bigger muscles and better performance on the field, many athletes and bodybuilders turn to anabolic steroids despite their well-known side effects, including increased risk for heart disease and mood issues. Now, two new studies show these harms may persist after athletes stop taking the synthetic hormones. The message is clear when… read on > read on >
Even After Pandemic, Cancer Patients Prefer Telemedicine Care
During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the only ways to see a doctor was via video or phone appointment, and it turns out many people with cancer still prefer telemedicine visits over in-person ones. The recent end of the U.S. public health emergency will remove some of the flexibilities that were… read on > read on >
AHA News: Are Heart Rate and Blood Pressure the Same? No, and It’s Important to Understand Why.
TUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Lower your blood pressure. Get your heart rate up. Know your numbers. When it comes to heart health, understanding all the numbers involved – and which should be up or down and when – can be confusing. But experts say it’s important to learn at least… read on > read on >
Black, Hispanic Americans More Likely to Have PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water
Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are more often poor — and also more likely to have harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water, a new study reveals. Sources of PFAS pollution — including major manufacturers, airports, military bases, wastewater treatment plants and landfills — are disproportionately sited… read on > read on >