How bad or how long this year’s flu season will be remains to be seen. But one thing is already clear: It’s proving to be an especially lethal season for infected children. Fueled by a strain of influenza that children may be especially vulnerable to, less than two months into flu season 39 children have… read on >
Four in 10 gun owners have at least one gun at home that isn’t locked up, even if there are children in the home, a new survey suggests. To come to that conclusion, researchers questioned nearly 3,000 people while they waited for a free gun storage device (lockbox or trigger lock) at public gun safety… read on >
Most American parents believe their teens spend too much time playing video games, but many underestimate the actual amount, a new survey shows. The poll of nearly 1,000 parents with at least one child aged 13 to 18 found that 86% said their teen spends too much time gaming. Among parents of daily gamers, 54%… read on >
Turning to Facebook for help is probably the wrong move for depressed college students, new research shows. In a small study of 33 students who posted on Facebook about feelings of depression, not one was advised to reach out to a mental health professional for help. Rather, friends sent supportive and encouraging messages. “It makes… read on >
Sepsis kills more than twice as many people worldwide as once believed, and children in poor regions account for an excessive number of such deaths, researchers say. Sepsis is an out-of-control immune response to infection that harms organs. People who survive sepsis can have lifelong disabilities. In 2017, there were 48.9 million cases of sepsis… read on >
Are college students choosing marijuana instead of booze when both are legal? New research suggests they are: In states where pot is legal, college kids use it more, but binge-drink less. In states with legal marijuana, college students were 18% more likely to use it in the past month than in states where it’s illegal,… read on >
Sepsis kills more than twice as many people worldwide as once believed, and children in poor regions account for an excessive number of such deaths, researchers say. Sepsis is an out-of-control immune response to infection that harms organs. People who survive sepsis can have lifelong disabilities. In 2017, there were 48.9 million cases of sepsis… read on >
Are college students choosing marijuana instead of booze when both are legal? New research suggests they are: In states where pot is legal, college kids use it more, but binge-drink less. In states with legal marijuana, college students were 18% more likely to use it in the past month than in states where it’s illegal,… read on >
Since the 1970s, serious heart disease among childhood cancer survivors had declined remarkably, a new study finds. The decline suggests that efforts to make cancer treatments, including radiation, less toxic are paying off, researchers say. For the study, researchers led by Dr. Daniel Mulrooney, from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., collected data… read on >
A condition called lymphopenia — low levels of lymphocyte blood cells — could be an early warning for illness, a new study suggests. Danish researchers linked the condition to a 60% increased risk of death from any cause during the study period. A low lymphocyte count was also associated with a 1.5- to 2.8-fold increased… read on >
How teens see their family’s social status may play a part in their mental health and success at school, a new study suggests. Social status appears to be more important than what their parents do for a living, how much money they have or how educated they are, the researchers said. “The amount of financial… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Bullying can be physical, verbal or through virtual spaces including the internet and social media, says KidsHealth. Regardless of the medium, bullying can make young people afraid, stressed, depressed and anxious. KidsHealth advises what your child can do about bullying: Tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or coach. Ignore… read on >
Can television teach kids how to eat healthy? Maybe, suggests new research. Watching cooking shows that featured healthy recipes seemed to encourage healthy eating in children, the study showed. “The findings from this study indicate cooking programs can be a promising tool for promoting positive changes in children’s food-related preferences, attitudes and behaviors,” said lead… read on >
Regardless of their family’s insurance status, many children get medical care they don’t need, a new study suggests. One in 11 publicly insured and 1 in 9 privately insured children in the United States were given what the researchers called unnecessary, “low-value” care in 2014, the researchers report. “While we found that publicly insured children… read on >
(HealthDay News) — If your child is going to be home alone, it’s a good idea to have the child check in periodically, says the American Red Cross. For older children, ground rules about having friends over and cooking should also be established. The Red Cross mentions other steps parents should take: Post an emergency… read on >
After months of delay, the Trump Administration is expected to announce this week that it will ban mint-, fruit- and dessert-flavored e-cigarette cartridges, while allowing the continued sale of menthol- and tobacco-flavored vapes. The White House originally proposed a ban on flavored e-cigarettes — thought to be especially enticing to teens — back in September.… read on >
