It can be hard to talk to your loved ones about moving into assisted living, so don’t push them too hard and make sure they feel safe and comfortable with the idea, one expert advises. “Start the conversation as early as possible, and focus on what matters,” said Dr. Angela Catic. She’s a geriatrician and…  read on >  read on >

Losing excess weight may not only help prevent knee arthritis, but also slow its progression in people who already have the condition, a recent study suggests. Researchers found that among over 9,000 middle-aged and older adults, those who managed to shed some extra weight benefited their knees in two ways: They were less likely to…  read on >  read on >

At least 4.4 million Americans have received the updated COVID-19 booster shot. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count Thursday as public health experts decried President Joe Biden’s televised claim that “the pandemic is over.” The White House estimates that more than 5 million people have actually received the reformulated booster,…  read on >  read on >

Climate change could spell trouble for those with heart failure, a new study suggests. When the temperatures soared in France during the summer of 2019, the heat wave appears to have worsened the conditions of heart failure patients, researchers report. “The finding is timely, given the heat waves again this year,” said study author Dr.…  read on >  read on >

Too few children with sickle cell anemia are getting the recommended screening tests for stroke, a common complication of this disease, a new government report finds. What’s more, many aren’t receiving hydroxyurea, a medication that can reduce the complications associated with the blood disorder, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted.…  read on >  read on >

Could air pollution land children with autism in the hospital? A new study found that short-term exposure to air pollution is linked to a higher risk for hospitalization among kids with the developmental disorder. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often admitted due to such symptoms as hyperactivity, aggression and self-injury. While neuro-inflammation and…  read on >  read on >