Even when genetics and personality are working against you, having a strong network of supportive friends and family may help lower alcoholism risk, researchers say. “Genes play an important role in alcohol use,” stressed Jinni Su, an assistant professor of psychology at Arizona State University in Tempe, and lead author of a new study. But… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
In 16 States, 35% or More Residents Now Obese: CDC
America’s waistline keeps widening. On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 16 states now have at least 35% of their residents who are obese, a number that’s nearly doubled since 2018. The CDC’s 2020 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps now show that Delaware, Iowa, Ohio and Texas have joined Alabama, Arkansas,… read on > read on >
Hospitalizing the Unvaccinated Has Cost U.S. Nearly $6 Billion
The cost of providing hospital care for unvaccinated Americans has reached $5.7 billion in just three months, CBS News reported. Between June and August, about 287,000 people who were not vaccinated were hospitalized for COVID-19 in the United States, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Peterson Center on Healthcare, which… read on > read on >
Why Are More U.S. Babies Being Born With Syphilis?
The number of U.S. infants born with syphilis is climbing at an alarming pace, reaching a high not seen since the 1990s, according to new government figures. Newborn syphilis, a potentially fatal condition, was at one time nearly eliminated in the United States. But the disease has seen a resurgence in recent years — and… read on > read on >
Biden Administration Buys More Monoclonal Antibody Treatments to Ward Off Shortage
As severe cases of COVID-19 rise and demand surges for monoclonal antibody treatments, the U.S. government is ordering more from two key suppliers. Monoclonal antibodies, which are lab-engineered immune system proteins, can help trigger a healthy immune response against COVID-19 infection. The Biden administration has also taken over distributing the therapeutics, to help avoid shortages… read on > read on >
Even When Undergoing Treatment, People With MS Gain From COVID Vaccines
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients undergoing a treatment that depletes a type of immune cell that fuels MS attacks still have a strong response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, a new study finds. “The message from this study is clear — it is worthwhile for patients with MS receiving [anti-CD20] treatment to get a COVID-19 vaccine, which… read on > read on >
Is a Combo COVID/Flu Shot on the Way?
During the next few weeks or months, you might find yourself dropping by the doctor’s office or pharmacy to get your annual flu shot along with a dose of COVID vaccine. Unfortunately, you’ll have to get two individual jabs. Though at least two drug companies are working on a combo flu/COVID booster, the single-dose shot… read on > read on >
Medical Paperwork: So Bad Some Folks Skip Care
Getting prior authorizations to see a specialist, dealing with errors on medical bills and even scheduling appointments can be a big hassle. That’s clear to anyone who has spent time on the phone handling issues with insurance companies or doctors’ offices. For some patients, in fact, it’s a hurdle that’s caused them to delay or… read on > read on >
Pet Store Puppies Passing Drug-Resistant Bacteria to People
It’s hard to resist those big, pleading eyes in the pet store window. But buyer beware. Pet store puppies may infect people with a bacteria for which no common antibiotic treatment exists, a new study warns. Campylobacter jejuni (C jejuni) cannot be treated with any common antibiotics and is an increasing public health threat, according… read on > read on >
COVID Vaccines for Kids Under 12 Could Come This Fall: Fauci
Many parents hoping for COVID-19 vaccines for their children younger than 12 may get their wish this fall, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci. The vaccines could be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this fall for children ages 5 to 11, Fauci told CNN on Tuesday. “If you look at the studies that… read on > read on >