“Black Box” warnings added to antidepressants might have contributed to an increase in suicide attempts and deaths among young people, a new evidence review claims. The warnings say that antidepressants might be associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens, and were intended to prompt doctors to more closely monitor young people prescribed… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
AI May Not Be Ready to Run Emergency Rooms
AI isn’t ready to run a hospital’s emergency room just yet, a new study concludes. ChatGPT likely would ask for unnecessary x-rays and antibiotics for some patients, and admit others who don’t really need hospital treatment, researchers reported Oct. 8 in the journal Nature Communications. “This is a valuable message to clinicians not to blindly… read on > read on >
Diverting Low-Level Criminals to Drug-Treatment Programs Instead of Jail Reaps Rewards
A Wisconsin program that sends suspects in minor drug-related crimes to treatment instead of jail is paying off, a new study shows. Researchers who evaluated the Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI) found that non-violent offenders who were given a clinical assessment and six months of substance use treatment were less likely to be arrested, jailed… read on > read on >
Hospital Drug Tests Far More Likely for Minority Teens
Teens from minority groups seeking treatment at pediatric trauma centers are more likely than their white counterparts to be tested for drugs and alcohol. That’s the takeaway from a new study led by researchers at UCLA and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “While screening can positively affect patients if it is followed by counseling and treatment,… read on > read on >
Water Fluoridation May Be Less Beneficial Than in Past, Review Finds
The health benefits of fluoridated drinking water may be waning as Americans increasingly turn to using toothpastes and mouthwashes that already contain fluoride, a new review suggests. The research, published Thursday in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, came to that conclusion after analyzing more than 157 studies that compared tooth decay in kids living in… read on > read on >
Trauma at Life’s Beginning Can Mar Its End, Study Finds
Whether abusive parents, drug addiction or gun violence are to blame, the fallout from childhood traumas can reverberate until a person’s final days of life, new research shows. “We found that early-life trauma in particular, especially physical abuse by parents, was strongly related to end-of-life pain, loneliness and depressive symptoms,” said senior study author Dr.… read on > read on >
Mpox Vaccine’s Protection Wanes Within 1 Year; Boosters Needed
Antibodies provided by mpox vaccination all but disappear within six to 12 months, new research finds, underscoring the need for boosters to maintain strong protection. Mpox — previously known as monkeypox — is a fast-spreading virus transmitted mainly through close skin-to-skin contact, especially during sex. Its symptoms include fever, painful rashes or sores and swollen… read on > read on >
Food Allergies Spur Serious Anxiety in Most of Those Affected, Survey Finds
The large majority of people with food allergy, and the caregivers of kids with such allergies, say the condition has led to psychological distress, a new study finds. However, only about 1 in every 5 such people have ever been assessed and counseled on their anxieties, the same report also found. “Our research highlights a… read on > read on >
This Season’s Flu Vaccine Cuts Risk of Hospitalization by Almost 35%
THURSDAY, Oct. 3, 2024, HealthDay News — The Southern Hemisphere’s flu season is winding down, and new data shows this year’s flu shot was 34.5% effective in keeping folks there who got influenza from needing hospital care. Most (68.3%) of those sent to hospital had the A(H3N2) strain of flu, according to the report from… read on > read on >
CDC Warns of Fake Drug Dangers From Online Pharmacies
Americans who turn to online pharmacies to find cheaper versions of expensive prescription medications, especially opioids, may instead be buying themselves dangerous drugs that could trigger an overdose, U.S. health officials warned Wednesday. The warning, issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, follows a federal indictment announced last week against 18 individuals… read on > read on >