One less excuse to avoid that COVID vaccine: The shots don’t affect fertility in either men or women, new research shows, but coronavirus infection could cause short-term fertility problems in men. “Many reproductive-aged individuals have cited concerns about fertility as a reason for remaining unvaccinated,” said lead study author Amelia Wesselink. She is research assistant…  read on >  read on >

Some recreational pot shops are using tricks from the old playbooks of alcohol and tobacco companies to target underage users on social media, a new study reports. Despite state laws restricting such marketing, researchers found marijuana retailers on social media promoting their wares with posts that: Featured cartoon characters like Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Rick…  read on >  read on >

The risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 among older Americans is far higher for those who are unvaccinated than for those who are fully vaccinated and have had a booster shot, new government data shows. The differences were stark: In December, unvaccinated people 50 and older were 17 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19…  read on >  read on >

Americans don’t like to dwell on dying, so maybe it isn’t surprising that compared to other nations, the United States does just a middling job of providing a good death. The United States ranked in the middle of 81 countries rated on how well their health care systems provide end-of-life care. Only six countries —…  read on >  read on >

Herd immunity against COVID-19 is unlikely, and coping with the disease will likely hinge on vaccination, treatment and ensuring adequate hospital capacity, a new study conducted in Los Angeles County claims. With herd immunity, most people have antibodies from vaccination or prior infection, so a virus has fewer people to infect and stops spreading. Early…  read on >  read on >

Some arthritis drugs may reduce the effectiveness of COVID vaccines, according to the Arthritis Foundation, which also offers advice on booster shots. Research is limited, but evidence suggests that disease-modifying drugs used for arthritis may reduce the response of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, according to the foundation. A small study of…  read on >  read on >

If you or someone you know has suffered a concussion, a medical evaluation is crucial, an expert says. A concussion is “a short-lived functional brain injury typically caused by a bump or blow to the head,” Cleveland Clinic concussion specialist Dr. Richard Figler said in a clinic news release. “A concussion sets off a chemical…  read on >  read on >