Homelessness is difficult enough, but when it’s compounded by serious mental health issues the result can be an inability to function at even the most basic level. Sometimes that leads to round-the-clock involuntary hospitalization, and when that happens a state-appointed psychiatric conservator can take over, making critical health care decisions for a person deemed mentally…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — The way freelance photographer Donna Dymally sees it, snapping pictures imparts important life lessons. “Focus on what’s important, and if you don’t like the shot, take another one,” she said. “We develop from the negative, just like a photo.” That attitude helped Dymally recover from a…  read on >  read on >

A rare and serious inflammatory condition called MIS-C can strike kids weeks after they’ve recovered from their COVID infection. But now there’s good news for parents: Children tend to recover completely from any heart injury within three months of falling ill, a new study from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) shows. “Although it can…  read on >  read on >

If COVID-19 vaccines and medicines are shared equally worldwide, the pandemic could ease this year, a top World Health Organization official said Tuesday. However, if wealthier countries don’t share their resources with poorer countries, there will continue to be high rates of deaths and hospitalizations, warned Dr. Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO. “What…  read on >  read on >

Breastfeeding moms can rest easier: New research finds no evidence their milk transmits the virus that causes COVID-19 to their babies. “Breast milk is an invaluable source of nutrition to infants,” said lead author Dr. Paul Krogstad of the University of California, Los Angeles. “In our study, we found no evidence that breast milk from…  read on >  read on >

Big surprise bills for any colonoscopy done after a positive result from a stool-based screening test will be prevented under new federal rules, a group of U.S. medical organizations say. On Jan. 10, the Biden administration issued guidance requiring private insurers to cover such colonoscopies. The guidance expands on the requirement that plans provide the…  read on >  read on >