People will probably need regular booster shots for COVID-19 over the next few years to keep their immune systems on guard against a potentially deadly infection, an infectious disease expert says. COVID mutations and high transmission rates in some parts of the country mean that even the vaccinated remain at risk for a breakthrough infection,…  read on >  read on >

Debate rages over access to abortion, but experts say the collected medical evidence makes one thing clear — it is a fundamentally safe procedure for women. Abortion is safer than childbirth and it’s also safer than a host of other common procedures — colonoscopy, tonsillectomy and plastic surgery, said Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of…  read on >  read on >

Kraft Heinz Co. announced that it is recalling certain lots of Country Time Lemonade, Tang, Arizona Tea and Kool-Aid powdered drinks because they may contain small pieces of metal or glass. The company also said that certain lots of Country Time Lemonade with “Best When Used By” date of September 15, 2023 and Tang powdered…  read on >  read on >

One in five adults avoided seeking health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, even when they had symptoms suggesting the need for urgent medical attention, according to researchers in the Netherlands. “Health care avoidance during COVID-19 may be prevalent amongst those who are in greater need of it in the population, such as older individuals,” a…  read on >  read on >

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not just a childhood disorder, and new research shows that adults with ADHD are four times more likely to have anxiety disorder. “These findings underline how vulnerable adults with ADHD are to generalized anxiety disorders,” said study author Esme Fuller-Thomson. She is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty…  read on >  read on >

If you live the country life, new research brings a reassuring finding: Your chances of surviving a heart attack, stroke or other potentially life-threatening medical emergency at a rural emergency department are similar to odds at a city ER in the United States. Researchers analyzed more than 470,000 outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries treated at rural…  read on >  read on >

The latest in a spate of studies investigating links between use of social media and depression suggests the two go hand in hand. “The relationship between social media and mental health has been the subject of a lot of debate,” said Dr. Roy Perlis, lead author of the new study. He’s director of the Center…  read on >  read on >

A new mental health media platform meant to connect people with educational resources and reduce the stigma around mental illness is planned by pop star Selena Gomez and her partners. Wondermind is set to launch in February 2022 and will include mental health experts sharing their expertise, and daily exercises that people can do to…  read on >  read on >

Seniors, looking for a way to stay mentally quick and physically strong? Start scrubbing. Researchers from Singapore say housework may be a key to keeping your brain sharp as you age. Their new study found that in older adults, cleaning house was tied to a better memory and attention span, and stronger legs, which helps…  read on >  read on >