WEDNESDAY, Nov. 17, 2021 (HealthDay News) – When young people are allowed to give their own consent for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, vaccination rates are higher, new research shows. The new study suggests that allowing teens to consent without parental involvement could be an important strategy for boosting HPV vaccination rates. This consent is already… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Lung Cancer Survival Continues to Improve, But Not for All
Lung cancer survival rates in the United States continue to rise, but certain racial groups are still hit hard by the disease, the American Lung Association reports. Its fourth annual “State of Lung Cancer” report shows that the average five-year survival rate increased from 14.5% to nearly 24%, but it remains at 20% for people… read on > read on >
Pfizer COVID Pill to Be Made, Sold Cheaply in 95 Poor Countries
Pfizer Inc. announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement for its promising COVID-19 antiviral pill to be made and sold cheaply in 95 developing nations. The countries included in the licensing deal are mostly in Africa and Asia, and they account for more than half of the world’s population, the company said in a… read on > read on >
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Higher Odds for Dangerous A-Fib
Women with breast cancer are known to have heart problems related to treatment, and now a new study shows their odds of developing an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation (a-fib) may increase in the wake of a breast cancer diagnosis. Women who develop a-fib within a month of a breast cancer diagnosis are… read on > read on >
Pot Use in Pregnancy May Harm the Fetus
Marijuana use in pregnancy may increase your child’s risk for stress and anxiety, a new study suggests. Although some moms-to-be use pot hoping to relieve morning sickness and anxiety, they should know it may cause genetic changes in the uterus that result in children becoming anxious, aggressive and hyperactive, researchers say. “People are saying that… read on > read on >
As Countries Become More Tolerant, Suicides Among Gay Men Decline
A new study confirms that when a country is more accepting of people who are LGBTQ, fewer gay or bisexual men take their own lives. In a new study, researchers compared life in a country where LGBTQ folks encounter strong stigma with that in a country where stigma against them is low. The upshot: The… read on > read on >
Certain Antidepressants Appear to Curb Severe COVID-19
MONDAY, Nov. 15, 2021 Certain commonly prescribed antidepressants appear to substantially lower the risk of dying among seriously ill COVID-19 patients, a large new study indicates. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of depression. They include drugs like Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline). “We… read on > read on >
Knowing Your A-Fib Triggers Could Help You Avoid It: Study
People suffering from dangerous abnormal heart rhythms can take matters into their own hands and figure out what is triggering their episodes, researchers report. Folks with atrial fibrillation (a-fib) were able to reduce their episodes of the irregular heartbeat by 40% by identifying and then avoiding the substances or activities that caused their heart to… read on > read on >
Pricey Alzheimer’s Drug Drives Spike in Medicare B Premium: Officials
A new and expensive Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm is responsible for about half of the $21.60 increase in monthly premiums for Medicare’s Part B outpatient program in 2022, Medicare officials report. The new premium will be $170.10 a month, and the $21.60 boost is the biggest increase ever in dollar amount, but not in percentage… read on > read on >
Still Feeling Nervous About Holiday Gatherings? Survey Finds You’re Not Alone
For Emily Litvin, this Thanksgiving is going to look different from the last one and she couldn’t be happier about it. “I’m so excited to have some sort of normalcy, especially for my daughter and her cousins. It’s nice for them to all get together and experience the traditions that we grew up with,” said… read on > read on >