For many kids with autism, Rhett, a black Labrador retriever, has been a calming and comforting influence in his seven years as a therapy dog. But parents shouldn’t assume that a service pooch is the solution for every child on the autism spectrum, a new study finds. Not all kids with autism enjoy interacting with… read on > read on >
For older adults, getting vaccinated provides protection against COVID-19, but getting a booster is a key part of maintaining that immunity, a new study confirms. “The data support the CDC guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination and affirm that the vaccine is initially able to mount a good antibody response,” said study co-author Dr. Sean Leng. He’s… read on > read on >
Young women who have survived cancer are at risk of having sexual problems, such as loss of libido and discomfort, a new study finds. The quality of the survivor’s sex life is also influenced by the type of cancer she experienced and the intensity of the treatment, researchers found. “This is one of the largest… read on > read on >
Exposure to air pollution can impede COVID-19 recovery, whether someone is vaccinated or not, according to new research. “These findings are important because they show that, while COVID-19 vaccines are successful at reducing the risk of hospitalization, people who are vaccinated and exposed to polluted air are still at increased risk for worse outcomes than… read on > read on >
Birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin do not contribute to growth of enlarged breasts in teens and young women, a new study finds, and may actually be associated with developing less severe breast enlargement. Moreover, the combination pills don’t increase the risk of regrowth after breast-reduction surgery, said researcher Dr. Brian Labow… read on > read on >
The U.S. government will invest $266 million to shore up the community and public health workforce using American Rescue Plan funding. About $225.5 million will go to 83 recipients to support training and apprenticeship for 13,000 new community health workers, CNN reported before Friday’s announcement. These workers specialize in helping people find care and serve… read on > read on >
Many Americans with heart disease also have limited access to food, and this dangerous combination is growing rapidly, a new study finds. “Food insecurity is a common problem among people with cardiovascular disease, and we are seeing that issue become even more prevalent in recent years,” said lead author Dr. Eric Brandt. He’s a cardiologist… read on > read on >
Public health officials tried everything to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID, including giving away cash, but that wasn’t enough to change hesitant minds, a new study shows. Researchers were surprised by the findings. “There is literature and evidence from other vaccination campaigns like the flu, and even some childhood vaccinations, showing that financial… read on > read on >
Eating well and exercising can make for a longer life, and that holds true for former smokers, too, a new study shows. Researchers found that of nearly 160,000 former smokers, those who exercised, ate healthfully and limited their drinking were less likely to die over the next couple of decades, versus their counterparts with less-healthy… read on > read on >
Terlisa Sheppard knows the value of tracking changes in her body. The Orlando Health patient was eight and a half months pregnant and just 31 years old when she felt a lump under her arm. She left work to get it checked out and “didn’t return back to work because that is the evening that… read on > read on >
