Although many restaurants, offices and even apartment buildings are smoke-free, American universities appear to be an exception. By 2017, only 1 in 6 had gone completely smoke-free or tobacco-free, a new study reveals. “Continued success in increasing the adoption of comprehensive smoke-free and tobacco-free protections at institutions of higher learning will strengthen smoking prevention among…  read on >

Being able to go online offers a wealth of knowledge, keeps you connected to loved ones and makes all sorts of transactions more convenient. But there’s a downside. In a nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center, more than three-quarters of respondents said they liked having access to a vast wealth of information, and two-thirds…  read on >

Social media is helping spur the e-cigarette epidemic among America’s teens, a new study suggests. Nearly 15,000 Instagram posts related to Juul, the most popular e-cigarette brand, were released between March and May 2018, researchers found. More than half the posts focused on youth culture or lifestyle-related content that would appeal to teens, according to…  read on >

The anti-vaccination movement is now a global crisis, an international panel of scientists say, and everyone must do more to combat it. “We are alarmed that the WHO [World Health Organization] this year declared vaccine hesitancy a top-10 international public health problem. This is a man-made, dangerous and wholly unnecessary crisis,” said Dr. Scott Ratzan.…  read on >

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus by a doctor. The cervix keeps it in place and, once it is in, you typically cannot feel it. Depending on the type of IUD, it can work for 3 to 10 years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human…  read on >

Remember the “mood ring” craze of the 1970s? A high-tech wristband is being developed along the same lines, potentially helping patients who struggle with mood disorders. The smart wristband would use a person’s skin to track their emotional intensity. During a mood swing, either high or low, the wristband would change color, heat up, squeeze…  read on >

If you’re an older woman, your heart disease risk might be shaped by the shape of your body. Researchers report that if you look more like an apple than a pear, your chances of heart trouble are heightened, even if you are a normal weight. Interestingly, women who carried their weight in their legs had…  read on >

Infants and young children with vitamin D deficiency may have a heightened risk for elevated blood pressure later in childhood and in their teens, a new study finds. Researchers followed 775 children in Boston from birth to age 18. Most were from low-income families in urban neighborhoods. Compared to children born with normal vitamin D…  read on >

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage your eyes, says Mayo Clinic. Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from UV-related problems, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Mayo Clinic recommends looking for sunglasses that: Block 99 percent to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of visible…  read on >