There’s a severe blood shortage in the United States due to a recent surge in trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries, the American Red Cross says. The Red Cross is appealing to Americans to roll up their sleeves and donate blood immediately. “Our teams are working around the clock to meet the extraordinary blood… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
How Healthy Are the New Plant-Based ‘Fake Meats’?
More and more Americans are seeking out healthier, greener and more ethical alternatives to meat, but are plant-based alternatives like the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat truly nutritious substitutes? The answer is yes, according to new research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It found the imitation meats to be a good source… read on > read on >
$10,000: What New Parents Might Pay for Childbirth, Even With Insurance
Having a baby is expensive. The cost of diapers, a crib, a car seat and all the other infant necessities can really add up, and now a new study shows that having a child comes with its own hefty hospital price tag for many U.S. families. About one in six families in the Michigan Medicine… read on > read on >
Fast-Food Companies Spending More on Ads Aimed at Youth
The U.S. fast-food industry has boosted spending on ads targeting kids, especially Black and Hispanic youth, new research shows. For the study, the researchers analyzed data on ad spending and TV ad exposure for 274 fast-food restaurants and found that annual spending hit $5 billion in 2019, up more than $400 million between 2012 and… read on > read on >
How Secure Is Your Health or Fitness App?
Your health and fitness apps may have privacy issues that put your personal information at risk, researchers warn. “This analysis found serious problems with privacy and inconsistent privacy practices in mHealth [mobile health] apps. Clinicians should be aware of these and articulate them to patients when determining the benefits and risks,” lead study author Muhammad… read on > read on >
Mold a Big Threat to People With COPD
Exposure to mold both in and out of the home may worsen breathlessness and other symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), new research suggests. More than 16 million Americans have COPD, according to the American Lung Association. COPD is an umbrella term for chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema, which literally take… read on > read on >
U.S. COVID Death Toll Tops 600,000
The U.S. coronavirus death toll topped 600,000 on Wednesday, even as the country’s vaccination campaign is finally curbing the spread of COVID-19. “We’ve made enormous progress in the United States. Much of the country is returning to normal, and our economic growth is leading the world, and the number of cases and deaths are dropping… read on >
Even Good Weather Didn’t Lift Lockdown Blues: Study
In normal times, a sunny day can lift your mood while a stormy one can darken it, but new British research shows that weather had little effect on people’s spirits during the pandemic. “We know that lockdown restrictions, and the resulting impact on social life and the economy, are linked to at least two major… read on > read on >
Pandemic Silver Lining: Fewer Dangerous Flare-Ups for COPD Patients
Public health precautions meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19 may have had an unintended but happy side effect. They may also have benefited individuals who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study. During the pandemic, admissions for COPD flare-ups dropped dramatically — by 53% — at University of Maryland Medical… read on > read on >
Looking for Love? Young People’s Drinking Goes Up When Dating
When young adults are seeking a casual dating relationship, drinking is likely to follow, new research suggests. Meanwhile, those who are already in a serious relationship are likely to drink less. The study included more than 700 people in the Seattle area, aged 18 to 25, who filled out surveys every month for two years.… read on > read on >