The pandemic has intensified mental health struggles that were already widespread among American teens, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned Tuesday. The pandemic and other major issues faced by their generation are causing “devastating” mental health effects in young people, he warned in a new report. Emergency room visits for suicide attempts by adolescent…  read on >  read on >

Can the time of day you get your COVID-19 vaccine affect how many antibodies you’ll make? A new study suggests that it can. Researchers found higher antibody levels in health care workers who received their vaccines in the afternoon, and they suggest that response to the vaccine may be affected by circadian rhythms. “Our observational…  read on >  read on >

When a woman’s periods begin to slow down and finally stop, digestive problems often pick up — and new research suggests race and ethnicity play a role. With menopause, levels of estrogen decrease, while cortisol levels increase, triggering an adrenaline boost that changes digestive function. It can set off symptoms such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea,…  read on >  read on >

New York City’s ban on a certain type of heating oil led to significant reductions in air pollutants that pose a risk to health, new research shows. “It is very encouraging to see the overall success of the Clean Heat Program in reducing pollution levels in the city, and particularly exciting to find that the…  read on >  read on >

TUESDAY, Dec. 7, 2021 — Though they live in one of the world’s richest nations, a growing number of young Americans are without ample health insurance. A new study reports that 34% of U.S. kids age 17 and under were “underinsured” in 2019. That means their insurance failed to address their overall health needs or…  read on >  read on >

President Joe Biden promised cheaper prescription drugs for all Americans on Monday as his social agenda legislation winds its way through Congress. Biden tried to shift Americans’ focus to pocketbook provisions overlooked in his $2 trillion legislation, which deals with everything from climate to family life and taxes. The legislation has passed the House and…  read on >  read on >

The United States announced Monday that it will pour $400 million into a new program that should help other countries speed vaccines to their citizens. Called the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access, the U.S. Agency for International Development said in a statement the program would “enhance international coordination” to help countries “overcome vaccine access barriers.”…  read on >  read on >