People whose beliefs or concerns make them hesitant to get vaccinated are also likely to forgo vaccinating their pets, new research shows. That could threaten the health of people and their four-legged friends, researchers said. “Decreasing pet vaccination rates pose challenges to society for a number of reasons, including increased incidents of pet disease and…  read on >  read on >

Blue Ridge Beef, a maker of raw pet foods, has announced it is recalling some of its products for kittens and puppies because of possible contamination with salmonella and listeria. After being notified earlier this month by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that health officials found salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in certain products, the North Carolina company…  read on >  read on >

When hospitals support trauma survivors’ mental health during and after treatment, patients are less likely to return in crisis, researchers report. There’s no uniform guidance on how to offer mental health services to these patients, noted lead study author Laura Prater. Fewer hospital readmissions are a good sign that people’s mental health needs are being…  read on >  read on >

The holidays are all about treats and most pets are thrilled to partake in the indulging, but some foods you might give them could make them sick or worse. “Pets tend to get more treats at holiday time — from their owners or from houseguests — which can put them at risk for health issues…  read on >  read on >

Over 15 million Americans have signed up for health insurance using the Affordable Care Act’s federal marketplace, a 33% increase from the year before, preliminary government data shows. On Dec. 15, the deadline for coverage that starts Jan. 1, a whopping 745,000 people picked their health insurance plan using the healthcare.gov website, the U.S. Department…  read on >  read on >

An exhaustive review of sleep research spanning five decades underscores the importance of getting your Zzzzzs. Sleep loss undermines emotional functioning and increases a person’s risk for anxiety and depression, the study found. It also takes a toll on positive emotions like joy, happiness and contentment.   “In our largely sleep-deprived society, quantifying the effects…  read on >  read on >