Just a 1% decrease in the number of Medicaid recipients who smoke could save the insurance program billions of dollars a year, a new study suggests. Over one year, that small decline in smoking and its associated health harms would lead to $2.6 billion in total Medicaid savings the following year and millions for each… read on >
All Lifestyle:
Can’t Work Out During the Week? ‘Weekend Warriors’ Still Benefit
Daily exercise may be the ideal, but even weekend workouts might prolong your life, a new study suggests. In a study of more than 3,400 men and women over age 40, researchers found those who exercised one or two days a week had the same low death rates as those who exercised more frequently. “One… read on >
Timing of Meals Can Influence Heart Attack Recovery
When you eat during the day could influence your chances of surviving a heart attack, a new study finds. Specifically, skipping breakfast and eating dinner late in the evening were associated with poorer recovery and increased risk of death, scientists report. “Our research shows that the two eating behaviors are independently linked with poorer outcomes… read on >
Can Games and Apps Help Your Kids Learn?
Leading health organizations are warning about the possibility of video game addiction. The World Health Organization has included it in the latest edition of its reference book of health disorders, while the American Psychiatric Association’s book offers warning signs but does not yet list it as an addiction. So parents might wonder whether any gaming… read on >
Common Sleep Myths Endanger Public Health
Mistaken beliefs about sleep are common and pose a significant health threat, a new study warns. Among these myths: some people only need five hours of sleep; snoring is harmless; a drink before bedtime helps you fall asleep. “Sleep is a vital part of life that affects our productivity, mood, and general health and well-being,”… read on >
Kids Can Get UTIs, Too
Adults aren’t the only ones susceptible to urinary tract infections, or UTIs. They can occur in kids, even infants, if bacteria get into the urinary tract, often from the bowel. Any child can get a UTI. But some kids are more prone than others, and girls get them more often than boys. A UTI doesn’t… read on >
‘Added Sugars’ Label on Foods Could Save Many Lives
A new Nutrition Facts label that highlights the amount of added sugars in food could prevent nearly 1 million cases of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests. The new label, first proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2016, adds a new line under the Total Carbohydrate category… read on >
Don’t Prosecute Sexting Teens as Child Pornographers, Researchers Say
In many U.S. states, teenagers who send “sext” messages to each other can be prosecuted as child pornographers — and that should end, researchers argue. Many states have recently passed laws that specifically address teen sexting — exempting it, to varying degrees, from longstanding child pornography statutes. But in 23 states, those outdated laws still… read on >
Is Your Inner Critic Ruining Your Love Life?
Many people are plagued by self-criticism, that inner voice that questions every decision and every move. It can keep you from reaching goals and erode self-confidence. And when it happens during intimacy, it can ruin your sex life and your relationship. No topic is taboo for the inner critic’s scrutiny — your attractiveness or your… read on >
Good Smells May Help Ease Tobacco Cravings
Could quitting tobacco involve something as simple as a pleasant scent? New research suggests it’s possible. U.S. smoking rates have fallen over the past 50 years, but about 40 million Americans still smoke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least half of adult smokers report trying to quit in the… read on >