Many kindergartners fell behind on their childhood vaccinations during the pandemic, U.S. health officials warned Thursday. The drop has not been precipitous: About 94% of kindergarteners had their required vaccines during the 2020-2021 school year, a drop of about one percentage point and just below the 95% vaccination target, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control…  read on >  read on >

After 23 years of decreases in overall air pollution levels, a new report shows that the United States recorded the highest ever number of “very unhealthy” and “hazardous” air quality days between 2018 and 2020. In its State of the Air 2022 report, the American Lung Association said more than 137 million Americans reside in…  read on >  read on >

Larger and more intense wildfires in the U.S. Pacific Northwest are causing a spike in air pollution across North America that endangers millions of people, a new study warns. Wildfire smoke has been linked to significant respiratory problems, and may also cause heart and pregnancy complications. “Wildfire emissions have increased so substantially that they’re changing…  read on >  read on >

A prior COVID-19 infection may provide unvaccinated adults with as much immunity against reinfection as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines, new research suggests. However, the study was conducted before the surge of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. “We found that, before the emergence of the Omicron variant, natural immunity provided a similar degree of…  read on >  read on >

With marijuana now legal in many U.S. states, some veterinarians are seeing more cases of cannabis poisoning in dogs and other pets, according to a new survey. The poll, of 251 vets in Canada and the United States, found that those incidents usually end well: Most animals recover quickly, without needing a hospital stay. But…  read on >  read on >

A Mediterranean-style diet is known to help protect the heart, and now new research suggests it can also lower an expectant mother’s risk for life-threatening preeclampsia. Marked by a sudden spike in blood pressure, protein in urine, or other problems during pregnancy, preeclampsia can cause serious health problems for moms and babies when left untreated.…  read on >  read on >

Twelve companies have been issued warning letters about selling over-the-counter skin lightening products containing hydroquinone, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday. The products are unapproved drugs that are not recognized as safe and effective, according to the FDA, which has received reports of serious side effects including rashes, facial swelling and skin discoloration…  read on >  read on >