Alec Smith was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly before his 24th birthday. When he turned 26, he lost his health insurance. Less than a month later, he lost his life because he couldn’t afford the exorbitant price of his life-saving insulin. “Alec had a full-time job that didn’t offer health insurance. But because he… read on >
When it comes to preventing heart disease, vitamin and mineral supplements are probably a waste of money, a new research review concludes. The findings, published May 28 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, largely confirm what’s already known: Supplements may be popular, but in most cases, there is no evidence they protect… read on >
Immunizing girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) doesn’t increase their risk for autoimmune diseases, according to new research from Canada. HPV is the world’s most common sexually transmitted disease, affecting up to 75 percent of sexually active people and is the main cause of cervical cancer. Gardisil, the quadrivalent HPV4 vaccine, protects against up to 90… read on >
Your blood mght be a thirst quencher for mosquitoes during a drought. A new study found that while female mosquitoes need the protein in blood to lay eggs, they also bite you to stay hydrated. According to the research team from the University of Cincinnati, learning more about how often these insects need to drink… read on >
A healthy diet may reduce a woman’s risk of hearing loss, a new study finds. “We observed that those following an overall healthy diet had a lower risk of moderate or worse hearing loss,” said study first author Dr. Sharon Curhan, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The researchers analyzed data from nearly 71,000… read on >
When a parent works full time, it can be difficult to balance responsibilities at work and at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests how to ease the pressure of feeling overworked: Try to relax during the day, even if for a few minutes of meditation, a short walk or a brief period of silence.… read on >
Having a four-legged friend around the house could make us happier, healthier and help us live longer. Research shows having a pet can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. A cat, dog or other pet can also combat feelings of loneliness and depression. But Fido and Fluffy also harbor germs that could make us sick,… read on >
Learning how to do a skin self-exam could save your life. “Skin cancer is one of the few cancers you can see with the naked eye,” said Dr. Ali Hendi, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “Yet sadly, many people don’t know how to be their own… read on >
Are tablets, smartphones and laptops robbing Americans of shut-eye? Absolutely, said researchers who found that the unending entertainments and the light the devices emit are a powerful, slumber-killing combo. The finding comes from a small analysis of nine otherwise healthy adults in their 20s. Their sleep was tracked after five straight nights of unrestricted tablet… read on >
The deadliest form of black lung disease is on the rise among American coal miners, a new study finds. Increases in cases of progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) are occurring despite measures to control coal dust that were put into place decades ago. The finding stems from an analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data on… read on >
