As COVID-19 infections surge across the United States, 11 states could find themselves with too few doctors to treat non-COVID patients in intensive care units, a new report finds. Arizona and Texas already have a shortage of such doctors, the researchers added. “This week’s update shows that Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma,… read on >
With everyday life turned upside down, efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are taking a toll on the well-being and health of American families, a new poll reveals. More than 1,000 parents nationwide were surveyed in early June. “Without question, COVID-19 had a sudden and profound effect on families nationwide,” said survey leader Dr.… read on >
Smoking significantly increases a woman’s risk of potentially deadly brain aneurysms, a new study warns. An aneurysm is a weakened, bulging section of an artery. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause fatal bleeding. The study included 545 women, aged 30 to 60, who had brain scans at five large teaching and research hospitals in… read on >
Getting vaccinated to protect against pneumonia and flu may offer an unexpected benefit — a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests. Two new studies being presented Monday at a virtual conference of the Alzheimer’s Association found a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s in people who got flu and pneumonia vaccines. A third study underscored… read on >
In the midst of a pandemic, many Americans still view face mask mandates as an assault on their personal freedoms, rather than a means of protecting themselves and others from COVID-19. But a group of researchers out of Duke University say the mask backlash can be turned around — as long as efforts to do… read on >
Summer means long, carefree days outside, but don’t let that sabotage your slumber, sleep experts say. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) survey found that 36% of U.S. adults said they sleep less in the summer, with the highest rates in the West (42%) and Midwest (40%). “The lure of the outdoors and more… read on >
Most American parents know that sunscreen is important for their children, but there are gaps in their knowledge of its proper use, a new survey finds. The majority of the more than 1,100 parents of children aged 5 to 12 said they’ve at least sometimes used sunscreen on their kids, and that sunscreen is very… read on >
A ton of dangerous lead dust may have been deposited around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris when it burned in April 2019 — far more than had been estimated, a new study suggests. The cathedral’s roof and spire were covered in 460 tons of lead — a neurotoxic metal that’s especially dangerous to children —… read on >
For critically ill patients with acute kidney injury, early dialysis doesn’t reduce death any more than standard care does, new research finds. “Studying a large number of patients from many countries across different hospital settings gives us a degree of confidence that taking a more conservative approach to treatment may be warranted,” said researcher Martin… read on >
The COVID-19 pandemic has America’s hospitals on the fiscal ropes, with many facing financial ruin without continued aid from the federal government, a new report predicts. Average hospital margins across the nation could sink to −7% in the second half of 2020 without further help, with half of all hospitals potentially operating in the red,… read on >
