A big boost in cigarette prices could lead to fewer health problems and less poverty for millions of people worldwide, according to a new study. The researchers from the Global Tobacco Economics Consortium used a computer model to predict how a 50 percent cigarette tax increase would affect health and poverty in 13 middle-income countries…  read on >

It’s no secret that weight gain results from consuming too many calories. But at its core is an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy habits. On one side of the scale — the healthy side — are foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein and plant-based fats. On the other side are the…  read on >

Each year, thousands of adults over age 60 are abused, neglected or financially exploited, the National Institute on Aging says. The agency mentions these possible warning signs of elder abuse: Troublesleeping Depression or confusion. Unexplained weight loss. Acting agitated or violent. Social withdrawal. Unexplained bruises, burns or scars. Unkempt appearance. Bed sores. Source: HealthDay

Women have unique nutritional needs, especially during pregnancy and menopause. Here’s how a woman’s diet should differ from that of a man, courtesy of the U.S. government’s Office on Women’s Health: Calories.Women typically need fewercalories because women naturally have less muscle, more body fat and are usually smaller. Vitamins and minerals.Calcium, iron and folic acid…  read on >

Wildfire smoke may trigger a heart complication or stroke in vulnerable people, a new U.S. study suggests. Looking at the impact of the widespread California wildfires of 2015, researchers found a spike in emergency department visits for heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular complications. The risk was largely seen among adults aged 65 and older.…  read on >

There’s little doubt that the last presidential election sparked a host of emotions among Americans. But new research suggests it might also have triggered obsessive-compulsive behaviors in Democrats and Republicans alike. “The idea for our study came about while I was taking a break from a group project. During the break, everyone pulled out their…  read on >

Is arthritis pain getting in the way of your fitness plans? That need not be the case. In fact, physical activity can be vital to your continued mobility. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that affects about 27 million Americans — most often in the knees and hips, but also in the lower back and neck.…  read on >

In cities, the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes varies according to neighborhood income — and middle-class residents may be at greatest risk. That’s the upshot of a study done in Baltimore, where researchers spent two years analyzing DNA from mosquitoes’ stomachs. They found that in low-income neighborhoods, rats were the preferred “blood meal” for…  read on >

Drugs that fight cancer in people could help treat cancers that put Tasmanian devils at risk of extinction, researchers report. They found that two transmissible cancers — devil facial tumor 1 (DFT1) and devil facial tumor 2 (DFT2) — are closely related and that molecules called receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play an important role in…  read on >

Something like this has happened to most of us: You wake up, wide awake, only to discover that it’s 3 a.m. Suddenly your mind fills with worry about how hard tomorrow will be if you don’t get more sleep. The problem is, you toss and turn and can’t get back to sleep. What to do?…  read on >