As an early flu season spreads its misery across the United States, new research shows that few child care centers require children or their adult caregivers to get a flu shot. Flu can be especially dangerous for children, who have a greater risk than adults for serious complications, hospitalization and even death, the researchers noted.… read on >
Many women use birth control pills or other hormone-based contraceptives to enjoy sex without fear of an unplanned pregnancy. But could they kill your mojo? There has been some concern that a woman’s sex drive can drop after starting a new form of hormone-based birth control. Sex drive studies involving the pill, the patch and… read on >
It’s hard not to worry when your child suffers from the flu, but pediatricians say too many parents are taking their sick kids to the emergency room when a doctor’s visit would suffice. “We are seeing a jump in the number of patients coming to our emergency department for flu-like symptoms,” said Dr. Michele Walsh,… read on >
Rising obesity rates worldwide may be contributing to the climate crisis, researchers report. “Our analysis suggests that, in addition to beneficial effects on morbidity, mortality and health care costs, managing obesity can favorably affect the environment as well,” said study corresponding author Faidon Magkos, from the department of nutrition, exercise and sports at the University… read on >
A special dye that’s injected at the time of vaccination could become an alternative to paper or electronic vaccination records, researchers report. “In areas where paper vaccination cards are often lost or do not exist at all, and electronic databases are unheard of, this technology could enable the rapid and anonymous detection of patient vaccination… read on >
Healthier eating could save the United States more than $50 billion a year in health care costs associated with heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and related illnesses, according to a new study. An unhealthy diet is one of the leading risk factors for poor health and accounts for up to 45% of all deaths… read on >
Long hours spent working will do no favors for your blood pressure, a new Canadian study suggests. The five-year study tracked the working hours and blood pressure readings of 3,500 white-collar workers at three public institutions in the province of Quebec. Compared to those who worked less than 35 hours a week, those who worked… read on >
Puppies in pet stores appear to have transmitted a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant germ that’s sickened 30 people across 13 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Tuesday. The infection in question is a multidrug-resistant form of Campylobacter jejuni, the agency said in a statement. So far, of 24 patients interviewed by the… read on >
For the 85 million families who own pets in the United States, your furry friends can feel like family. An important part of ownership is investing in your pet’s health, says the American Veterinary Medical Association. The association mentions these seven ways to help keep your pet healthy: Keep your pet at an optimal weight.… read on >
Seniors on Medicare are going to take a hit to the pocketbook in 2020, with premiums and deductibles set to increase on coverage for medical services and prescription drugs. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will rise $9.10, to $144 a month, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced. The… read on >
