The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced it will no longer provide hormone therapy to veterans newly diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The decision follows an executive order from President Donald Trump that directs federal agencies to recognize only two sexes, male and female, which “are not changeable,” The New York Times reported. The…  read on >  read on >

Gender-affirming hormone therapy may not only help transgender and nonbinary individuals physically — it could also improve their mental health, new research suggests. A study published March 17 in JAMA Network Open found that transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse people who were prescribed hormone therapy had a 15% lower risk of moderate to severe depression over…  read on >  read on >

It doesn’t matter if CPR is performed by a doctor, a paramedic or an unskilled, unpracticed passerby — when performed promptly, it will increase a person’s odds of survival, a new study says. The speed of CPR initiation is crucial to survival and better outcomes related to cardiac arrest, rather than who performs it, researchers…  read on >  read on >

Continuous glucose monitors don’t just help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels, a new study says — the devices also can help them be safer drivers. Diabetics who use glucose monitors have fewer incidents involving low blood sugar, researchers reported in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. As a result, the patients are more…  read on >  read on >

Microplastics that invade and burrow deep within the human body are becoming an increasing concern among doctors and health experts. Now, a new study shows that even medical care is causing increased exposure to the tiny plastic particles. Microplastics can be found in the solutions administered through plastic IV bags, researchers recently reported in the…  read on >  read on >

For 21 years, Sebastien Beauzile lived with the chronic pain of sickle cell anemia.  Now, thanks to a groundbreaking genetic treatment, he is the first person in New York to be cured of the disease. “Sickle cell was like a blockade for me, but now it’s just like a wall that I just jumped over,”…  read on >  read on >

Nearly 1 in 3 children live with a chronic condition that could significantly affect their health for the rest of their lives, a new study says. Chronic illnesses affected more than 30% of children ages 5 to 17 by 2018, up from around 23% in 1999, researchers report in the journal Academic Pediatrics. This adds…  read on >  read on >

The blues and the jitters are very common among people battling chronic pain, a new evidence review says. About 40% of adults with chronic pain have symptoms of depression or anxiety, researchers report in JAMA Network Open. Women, younger adults and people suffering from fibromyalgia are particularly vulnerable to mood disorders caused by chronic pain,…  read on >  read on >

The time of day — or year — an asthma test takes place can affect its accuracy, a new study says. Routine asthma testing is more reliable when done in the morning, researchers reported in the journal Thorax. Starting at 8:30 a.m., the chances of the test accurately detecting a person’s asthma decreases by 8%…  read on >  read on >