While exposure to smog is a known risk factor for preterm birth and low-birth weight, new research suggests it also may heighten risk of COVID-19 infection for pregnant low-income women. Scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health analyzed the COVID test results for more than 3,300 pregnant women in New York and also…  read on >  read on >

Singer Justin Bieber said Tuesday that he will take a break from touring while he takes care of his health. Bieber has a condition known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which is rare type of viral infection. Caused by the chickenpox- and shingles-related varicella-zoster virus, the syndrome can cause paralysis of the facial nerve and a…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) – While researchers explore the possibilities of COVID-19 vaccines that don’t require an injection, public health officials in India and China have already each approved new needle-free versions for their citizens. In India, regulators on Tuesday approved a nasal vaccine developed in the United States and manufactured by the…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Juul Labs said Tuesday it will pay $438.5 million, without acknowledging wrongdoing, to settle dozens of lawsuits filed over company practices that may have fueled widespread vaping among American teens. “This settlement with 34 states and territories is a significant part of our ongoing commitment to resolve issues…  read on >  read on >

A majority of women experience premenstrual mood swings and anxiety, making it a “key public health issue globally,” a new study finds. Researchers found that 64% of women experience these symptoms, which disrupt their daily lives. “Our study demonstrates that premenstrual mood symptoms are incredibly common worldwide,” said senior study author Dr. Jennifer Payne, director…  read on >  read on >

Children should get their flu shot as soon as it is available, preferably by the end of October, a leading medical group recommends. Flu vaccination lagged last year, with 55% of children getting their vaccines, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) noted. Coverage levels were 8 percentage points lower for Black children compared with white…  read on >  read on >

Folic acid, a B vitamin that’s used widely to fortify foods and lower the risk of birth defects, may carry a hidden risk for those who have to take huge quantities of it: A new study shows those folks were more likely to get COVID-19 and to die from it. “We examined whether COVID-19 diagnosis…  read on >  read on >