The toll of child abuse is wide-ranging and long-lasting. Researchers warn that childhood abuse is tied to high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes in adulthood, raising odds for heart disease and stroke. In contrast, those who grew up in nurturing homes are less likely to have heart disease risk factors. “Our findings demonstrate how the… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
COVID Deaths Cluster in Poorly Vaccinated Communities
COVID-19 death rates are significantly higher in U.S. counties that remain largely unvaccinated than in those where more people have gotten their shots, according to a new study. The findings add to evidence that vaccination among individuals can prevent infection and illness on a much larger scale, University of Oxford professor Christopher Dye wrote in… read on > read on >
Race, Income Can Be Roadblocks to Recovery From Depression
If you’re battling depression, the success of your treatment might be affected by your race, income, job status and education, a new study says. “If you’re going home to a wealthy neighborhood with highly educated parents or spouse, then you’re arguably in a much better environment for the treatment to be effective than if you’re… read on > read on >
‘Brain Zap’ Technology May Help Hardcore Smokers Quit
Smoking is said by some to be the hardest addiction to break, and certain people might benefit from brain stimulation to quit, French researchers suggest. Smokers who received noninvasive brain stimulation — using low-intensity electric or magnetic impulses — were twice as likely to go without cigarettes over three to six months as those who… read on > read on >
U.S. Doctors on the Frontlines of Hepatitis Outbreak Striking Kids
As health experts around the world try to understand why nearly 200 children in 12 countries have fallen seriously ill with severe hepatitis, doctors in Alabama are investigating nine such cases in that state. In each case, seemingly healthy kids ended up in hospital with acute liver inflammation. What’s going on is “definitely not the… read on > read on >
AHA News: Hybrid Work Can Be Healthy at Home and the Office
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — First, we got advice on staying fit and healthy while working in the office. Then when the pandemic started, we got advice on staying fit and healthy while working from home. As the era of hybrid work – doing the same job in both places –… read on > read on >
Antibiotics in Infancy May Weaken Response to Childhood Vaccines
Babies and toddlers who’ve been given antibiotics might have a less vigorous immune response to routine childhood vaccinations, new research warns. The study is the first to suggest that antibiotics might dampen youngsters’ ability to generate infection-fighting antibodies in response to vaccination. Experts cautioned that more research is necessary, and it’s not clear whether antibiotic… read on > read on >
Prescription Steroids Can Pose Dangers for Sickle Cell Patients
People with sickle cell disease who take corticosteroids to treat asthma or inflammation may suffer severe pain and even need to be hospitalized, researchers report. This reaction to corticosteroids can be particularly severe among older people, women and patients not taking the drug hydroxyurea to treat their sickle cell symptoms. These were the most likely… read on > read on >
Smoking Rates Drop for Americans Battling Depression, Substance Abuse
Folks who struggle with depression and substance use disorders often tend to be smokers, but a new study finds that smoking rates among these vulnerable Americans have fallen significantly. “This study shows us that at a population-level, reductions in tobacco use are achievable for people with psychiatric conditions, and smoking cessation should be prioritized along… read on > read on >
Tough COVID Measures Were Tough on Mental Health
As the pandemic unfolded, nations adopted diverse methods to contain COVID-19. Some sought to eliminate the virus, targeting zero community transmission. Others tried to slow transmission through a mix of intermittent lockdowns, workplace, business and school closings, social distancing, the wearing of face masks, and the cancellation of public gatherings and public transport. Efforts to… read on > read on >