Molly E. came down with COVID last February when she was 36 weeks pregnant. “My symptoms were mild, and after speaking to my obstetrician, I felt reassured to hear that if anything, my baby would maybe have some antibodies,” said the New Jersey resident, who did not want her last name used. Her daughter was…  read on >  read on >

Getting care in the United States for lingering COVID-19 symptoms can be challenging, affecting long-term health and ability to work, a new study finds. Adults with so-called long COVID have had greater challenges with health care access and affordability than other adults, and these barriers to care have implications for their well-being, said lead researcher…  read on >  read on >

(HealthDay News) – The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed limiting the use of a chemical used to clean medical equipment in sterilizing plants because it also raises cancer risks for workers. The agency plans to slash emissions of the odorless gas, called ethylene oxide, by about 80% at 86 medical sterilization facilities. “EPA’s number…  read on >  read on >

Financial stress and work lost to cancer treatment affects patients and their partners alike. Partners also experienced pain, fatigue and sleep issues owing to these fiscal worries, a new study found. “We know that financial toxicity or hardship is a significant effect of cancer and its treatment and is associated with poor health issues for…  read on >  read on >

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are surging in the United States, with notable increases seen in case counts of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Overall, STIs grew by 7% in 2021, reaching 2.5 million cases, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The U.S. STI epidemic shows no signs of…  read on >  read on >

Over the past few years the escalating opioid crisis has touched off a complex debate about how best to reign in suicide risk among patients who are prescribed the addictive painkillers. The question: Could rapidly cutting back on legal opioid prescriptions help, or might patients’ desperation over lack of access inadvertently drive up suicide risk?…  read on >  read on >