(HealthDay News) – Americans who use insulin to control their diabetes could soon save hundreds of dollars every year on the medicine, after the House passed a $35-a-month cap on insulin costs Thursday. The bill was passed by a 232-193 vote. It now has to pass the Senate with at least 10 Republican votes, though… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Had COVID? Getting Vaccine Boosts Resilience Even More, Studies Show
If you’ve had COVID-19 but not your COVID shot, you may wonder if getting a vaccine now will really help you. It will, two new studies say. Researchers in Brazil and Sweden confirmed that COVID-19 vaccines provided significant additional protection for people who had already been infected with SARS-CoV-2. The vaccines were especially effective in… read on > read on >
Good Sense of Direction? Where You Grew Up Is Key
Your ability to find your way around may be influenced by your childhood surroundings. Researchers in the United Kingdom and France have discovered that people raised in the country or suburbs are better navigators than those who grew up in cities, particularly those with grid-pattern streets. The study included nearly 400,000 people in 38 countries… read on > read on >
No Threat From Common Chemicals in Most Face Masks: Study
Reassuring new research finds that most face masks used by people during the pandemic don’t have high levels of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The chemicals, which have been linked to numerous health harms, are used in many products to repel fluids, but there’s been little research into their presence in face masks.… read on > read on >
Many U.S. High School Kids Report Sadness, Stress, Abuse During Pandemic
If there’s any doubt that America’s teens have suffered mightily during the pandemic, a new government survey offers fresh proof of the pain restrictions from the coronavirus has inflicted on this vulnerable group. Many high schoolers have experienced physical and emotional abuse, poor mental health and chronic sadness and hopelessness as COVID-19 raged across the… read on > read on >
Bong Use at Home Quickly Fills Air With Toxins
Smoking pot through a bong doesn’t protect the nonsmokers in the room from the dangers of secondhand smoke, a new study warns. Bongs have been touted as a safe way to protect nonsmokers from secondhand marijuana smoke. But it can expose them to extremely high concentrations of fine particulate matter — five to 10 times… read on > read on >
New Way to Blast Kidney Stones Can Be Done in Doctor’s Office
A noninvasive ultrasound technique is capable of quickly pulverizing kidney stones, an early study shows — in what researchers call a first step toward a simpler, anesthesia-free treatment for the painful problem. The study reports on the first 19 patients who’ve had kidney stones treated with the ultrasound “bursts.” So far, it’s been able to… read on > read on >
Even During Omicron, Pfizer Vaccine Slashed Hospitalizations for Kids Aged 5 to 11
The Pfizer COVID vaccine significantly reduced U.S. children’s risk of severe illness and hospitalization during the recent Omicron surge, according to a new study. But researchers noted that only 27% of 5- to 11-year-olds in the United States and just 57% of 12- to 17-year-olds had received two vaccine doses as of March 16, and… read on > read on >
Lung Cancer CT Scans Have Already Saved More Than 10,000 U.S. Lives
More than 10,000 American lives have been saved since lung cancer screening was introduced for high-risk people who are over 55 and have a history of smoking, a new study shows. But many poor people and those in ethnic/racial minority groups are still missing out on the benefits of screening for the world’s leading cause… read on > read on >
Does Your City Park Make the ’25 Happiest’ List?
Taking a stroll through a city park can give your mood a significant boost, but parks in some cities provide a bigger benefit than those in others, researchers say. In a new study, investigators measured the happiness effect of city parks in the 25 most populous U.S. cities and found that it was roughly equal… read on > read on >