When the pandemic began, spending on mental health services skyrocketed and it continues to rise even as use of telehealth services leveled off. That’s the key takeaway from a new study published Aug. 25 in JAMA Health Forum. Some rules for expanded payment for telehealth services have now expired, so it’s not known whether this… read on > read on >
Paper straws, meant to be an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, may not be better for the environment, a new study concludes, warning that they also contain “forever chemicals” that can harm human health. “Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made… read on > read on >
New COVID-19 booster shots, reworked to target variants circulating now, could be available by mid-September. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve them in a few weeks, CNN reported, citing unnamed senior administration officials. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will soon follow with a safety review and its recommendations.… read on > read on >
Smoke from Canadian wildfires sent high numbers of people suffering from asthma attacks to America’s emergency rooms this spring and summer, according to two new reports. From April 30 to August 4, 2023, smoke from out-of-control wildfires in Canada increased emergency room visits for asthma by 17% over average, according to data from the U.S.… read on > read on >
Coupons for tobacco products appear to have a big impact on relapse rates for smokers who have recently kicked the habit, researchers report. A study of more than 5,000 former smokers who participated in a national survey found double the relapse rate for those who received cigarette coupons by direct mail or email. “We hypothesized… read on > read on >
Warming temperatures may be bringing a new risk for shelter dogs: the spread of tick- and mosquito-borne disease in a broader geographic area, according to a new study. Bites from these pests can cause serious illness in dogs, including heartworm and Lyme disease. The study, on shelter dogs in the eastern United States, shows that… read on > read on >
AI might not always be your most accurate source of health information, especially when it comes to cancer care, new research finds. Two new studies assessed the quality of responses offered by AI chatbots to a variety of questions about cancer care. One, published Aug. 24 in JAMA Oncology, zeroed in on the full-sentence conversational… read on > read on >
The American middle-class squeeze has grown even worse in recent years, with many in the “forgotten middle” facing financial pressure and poor health as they near retirement age, a new study reports. Essentially, the U.S. middle class has split in two, and those relegated to the lower-middle are facing tough times in retirement, said lead… read on > read on >
For the first time in a decade, the rate at which American adolescents received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has not increased, new data show. Current guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that both girls and boys receive the vaccine at ages 11 or 12, although vaccination can begin as… read on > read on >
Public health officials have detected the new BA.2.86 variant of COVID-19 in U.S. wastewater, giving rise to concerns about the highly mutated variant in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the detection on Wednesday. It was found as part of routine wastewater sampling. Officials did not specify where the… read on > read on >
