People who live in disadvantaged parts of the United States are nearly twice as likely to die young from heart disease as folks in the wealthiest locales, a new study reports. In other words, your zip code can tell you as much or more about your heart health risk as your genetic code, said senior… read on > read on >
Many female family doctors face sexual harassment, but most remain satisfied with their careers, a new study finds. Researchers surveyed 315 women physicians in family practices from 49 countries and found that 75% said they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their work conditions and their career. “Despite all obstacles in the work environment, especially… read on > read on >
A new plan to limit pollution from so-called “forever chemicals” will include restricting their release into the environment and speeding cleanup of contaminated sites, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday. The chemicals, called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets to firefighting foam. They’re increasingly showing up… read on > read on >
The number of Americans diagnosed with “broken heart” syndrome has steadily risen in the past 15 years — with the vast majority being women, a new study finds. The condition, which doctors call stress cardiomyopathy, appears similar to a heart attack — with symptoms such as chest pain and breathlessness. But its cause is entirely… read on > read on >
Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 could now face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket medical costs, according to a new report. In 2020, most health insurance companies waived co-pays, deductibles and other cost-sharing for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but many stopped doing that early this year, the University of Michigan researchers noted. “Many insurers claim that it is… read on > read on >
Colin Powell, the first Black person to become Secretary of State, and a statesman who helped shape U.S. foreign policy for decades, died Monday of complications from COVID-19. He was 84. “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications… read on > read on >
Pop singer Britney Spears was at the height of her fame in 2008 when, through a series of arcane legal maneuverings, her father gained conservatorship over her and took control of her personal and financial affairs. Spears’ plight and the #FreeBritney movement has shone a bright spotlight on America’s guardianship system, which experts say is… read on > read on >
Former President Bill Clinton was released from a California hospital on Sunday after being treated for sepsis. Clinton, 75, was admitted for care at the University of California Irvine Medical Center, in Orange, last Tuesday after developing sepsis triggered by a urological infection. A spokesperson for Clinton shared a statement on Twitter from Dr. Alpesh… read on > read on >
Mixing and matching different types of COVID-19 vaccines is highly effective, new research shows. The study found that protection against infection was stronger in people who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and a second dose of an mRNA vaccine than in those who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The AstraZeneca… read on > read on >
Prolonged stays in space appear to damage astronauts’ brains, a small, new study suggests. The researchers studied five Russian cosmonauts, mean age 49, who stayed on the International Space Station (ISS) for an average of 5.5 months. Blood samples were taken from the cosmonauts 20 days before their departure to the ISS, and one day,… read on > read on >
