Coronavirus infections are surging in the American heartland, with Wisconsin bearing the brunt of COVID-19’s relentless spread. Many Midwestern states are seeing some of the nation’s highest per capita rates of infection, and while federal health officials have again urged some governors in the region to require masks statewide, some Republican governors have resisted, the… read on >
In rural America, drinking has become particularly deadly for many, a new government report shows. Deaths related to alcohol use in those regions rose 43% between 2006 and 2018, health officials reported. Over that time, the rate of deaths went from 11 per 100,000 people to 15 per 100,000. Also, the rate of deaths among… read on >
More than 60% of households with children in the United States have struggled with serious financial problems during the coronavirus pandemic, a new poll shows. Black and Hispanic households with children have borne the brunt of the hardships, which include struggles to afford medical care, depletion of household savings and difficulty paying debts, the poll… read on >
Pets helped many people cope with the mental stress of being locked down during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study finds. It included 6,000 people in Britain who were under lockdown between March 23 and June 1. About 90% had at least one pet. Of those, more than 90% said their pet helped them cope… read on >
Young women who suffer a particularly deadly condition after a heart attack are 11% more likely to die from it than men, a new study finds. Not only that, women aged 18 to 55 are less likely to receive the tests and aggressive treatment that men routinely receive, and are more likely to die in… read on >
Isolation due to the pandemic and failure to get hearing aids checked has fueled anxiety, depression and more hearing loss for many seniors. “This has been a very difficult time as senior facilities and individuals try to balance poor health outcomes related to COVID-19 versus poor health outcomes related to social isolation,” said Catherine Palmer,… read on >
If you’re in an area of the United States at risk for flooding during one of the most active hurricane seasons ever, there are a number of precautions you should take, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says. Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know… read on >
Challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of suicide, so it’s crucial to know the warning signs, a mental health expert says. Suicide is often preventable, because people considering suicide want help, according to Dr. Ahmad Hameed, a psychiatrist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Penn. “A… read on >
People who buy into conspiracy theories about COVID-19 may be especially likely to refuse a vaccine when one becomes available, a new study suggests. Researchers said the results are not surprising. But they highlight how mistrust in authorities could already be undermining efforts to get the pandemic under control: Those same conspiracy believers were also… read on >
Dentists are drilling down on another worrying trend related to the coronavirus: more cracked teeth. Like sleepless nights and stomach jitters, teeth grinding is a telltale sign of stress. And the habit — which can damage and break your choppers — is sending people to dental offices in growing numbers amid the coronavirus pandemic. “I… read on >
