In the majestic Blue Ridge mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, large percentages of rural residents struggle with poverty and limited access to health care. In Avery County, N.C., you’ll find only one primary care physician for every 2,920 residents, according to the 2019 County Health Rankings, an initiative of the Robert Wood… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Dr. Jennifer Cobanov had been tracking her young thyroid patient for years. The girl’s antibody levels were elevated, but her thyroid functioned normally. Then, routine blood work revealed something quite unusual: Her underactive thyroid had suddenly switched into overdrive. Last November, the California pediatrician referred the 13-year-old to a specialist at Loma… read on >
(HealthDay News) — The Trump Administration on Monday ramped up its coronavirus “social distancing” advisory to now discourage gatherings of 10 or more people. Hours later, about 7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area were ordered to shelter in their homes. Residents were instructed to only leave for “essential” reasons, such as going… read on >
You’re a little feverish, but you feel good enough to get your shopping done and a quick workout at the gym. If you do, you could become part of the exponential spread of the coronavirus, a new study concludes. About 86% of COVID-19 cases in China were milder and went undetected during the two-week ramp-up… read on >
(HealthDay News) — State officials across America began to enact even tougher restrictions to try to slow the spread of coronavirus on Sunday, as the country’s case count reached at least 3,400, with at least 65 deaths. Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, Washington state, California and New York City all enacted measures that essentially force bars, clubs… read on >
If you ask Dr. Molly Benedum whether there is a shortage of doctors in America, this is the story she will tell you: After joining the Appalachian Regional Health System’s family practice in North Carolina, she saw an immediate influx of patients — women in particular — that reflected both pent-up demand for primary care… read on >
Infants can become infected with the new coronavirus, but their bouts with COVID-19 appear to be milder than those of older folks and people with chronic health problems, experts say. Doctors in China tracked nine babies infected with coronavirus that they apparently picked up from a sick family member, and none of the infants fell… read on >
Coronavirus is changing the way Americans go about their daily lives, a new survey shows. Conducted March 10-12, the survey of 2,400 U.S. residents found that public health recommendations about how to guard against infection are starting to be followed by many in this country. Among the findings: 85% of respondents said they’ve been washing… read on >
You’ve surely seen them many times — those folks who scurry past the sink after using a public toilet or give their hands no more than a quick, soap-free rinse. These days, that’s risking public shame and disease. The rapid spread of coronavirus around the world has underscored the importance of washing your hands frequently… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Are you scared and confused over the threat of coronavirus? You’re not alone: Every day, every hour, new media reports can have you worrying about worst-case scenarios. Experts say panic is a natural — if unhelpful — response to major crises like COVID-19. But there are ways to stay both informed and… read on >
