Longstanding restrictions on blood donations from gay or bisexual men could soon shift towards a more nuanced policy, where such men are asked about sexual partners and practices instead, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday. Specifically, gay men who are in monogamous relationships will no longer be required to abstain from sex for… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
You Can Prevent Sports Overuse Injuries
“Move it or lose it” the saying goes, but too much exercise or playing sports can lead to overuse injuries. These injuries include damage to bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles due to repetitive actions, such running, throwing, biking, lifting and swimming, to name a few. An overuse injury can be the result of poor training… read on > read on >
In a First, Medicaid Extends Coverage to Prison Inmates
Some inmates in California could begin getting certain limited health services, including substance abuse treatment and mental health diagnoses, using Medicaid funds. Typically, inmates lose Medicaid coverage while in the prison, jail or juvenile justice system. This change will be the first time ever that Medicaid has provided some coverage for inmates, the Associated Press… read on > read on >
AHA News: Researchers Take a Closer Look at What COVID-19 Does to the Heart
FRIDAY, Jan. 27, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — People hospitalized with COVID-19 may have an increased risk for heart damage, but not so much the type of inflammation previous research suggested, according to a new study. Early in the pandemic, several studies suggested many COVID-19 survivors experienced heart damage even if they didn’t have… read on > read on >
Is Your Gas Stove Making You Sick? Experts Weigh In
Natural gas stoves have become the latest flashpoint in America’s increasingly volatile political culture, after a top federal regulator publicly mulled over banning the appliances. “This is a hidden hazard,” the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) commissioner, Richard Trumka Jr., said in an interview. “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be… read on > read on >
Updated Booster Shots, Not Original COVID Vaccines, Should Be Standard: FDA Panel
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel on Thursday voted unanimously to recommend that the agency phase out original versions of COVID vaccines for use in the unvaccinated, in favor of updated bivalent booster shots. Committee members also weighed a proposal to streamline the dosing schedule for COVID vaccines by turning them into… read on > read on >
Risks for Heart Failure Rise in Rural America
Adults who live in rural areas, and Black men in particular, are at much higher risk for developing heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition that develops when the heart fails to pump enough blood for the body’s needs. Researchers from the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Vanderbilt University… read on > read on >
Got an Extra Chromosome? It Could Harm You
Researchers have uncovered a serious risk for folks who have an extra X or Y chromosome. Those with the genetic condition known as supernumerary sex chromosome aneuploidy have a risk for blood clots in a deep vein or lung that’s four or five times higher than usual, a new study shows. “An additional X or… read on > read on >
Breast Pain Doesn’t Always Mean Cancer: When to Get a Mammogram
While anyone can experience breast pain, don’t panic: It’s rarely cancer. Penn State Health offers some reassurance about what might cause the pain and when it might be time to have a mammogram. “We see a lot of patients who come looking for answers that have widespread, cyclical breast pain,” said Dr. Alison Chetlen, a… read on > read on >
Wintertime Wandering: A Real Danger for People With Alzheimer’s
Winter weather can add a layer of danger to the wandering behavior common in people with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offers some suggestions to help prevent wandering and prepare folks to react quickly if it occurs. “During the winter, it’s especially important for families living in areas affected by cold weather, snow… read on > read on >