There’s another epidemic sweeping the United States: sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Statistics for 2019 — the latest data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — show that STD rates in the United States hit a new high again for the sixth straight year. In 2019, nearly 2.5 million Americans had an… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
A Woman’s Exposure to DDT Could Affect Her Granddaughter’s Health Today
A long-banned pesticide may be having health effects that ripple across generations, a new study suggests. At issue is DDT, a once widely used pesticide that was banned in the United States in 1972. That ban, however, was not the end of the story. DDT is a persistent organic pollutant, a group of chemicals that… read on > read on >
Mom and Baby’s Tale of Survival After Severe COVID Strikes in Pregnancy
The emotional toll of having a baby can be huge under any circumstance, but what if you didn’t know you gave birth until two weeks later, and you weren’t able to hold your baby in your arms for more than a month? That was the reality for Yvette Camacho of Fontana, Calif. She contracted a… read on > read on >
Many Kids Who Develop Severe COVID-Linked Syndrome Have Neurologic Symptoms
In very rare cases, children infected with the new coronavirus can develop a severe illness known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Now, research finds that these young patients often develop neurologic symptoms along with the respiratory issues they might face. These neurologic symptoms were present in half of children who were hospitalized with MIS-C, U.K.… read on > read on >
Teen Tanning Bed Ban Would Prevent Thousands of U.S. Melanoma Cases
A U.S.-wide ban on teen use of tanning beds would prevent thousands of cases of skin cancer and save millions in health care costs, researchers say. Indoor tanning has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma — the deadliest type of skin cancer — and the highest risk is among people who start using… read on > read on >
U.S. Health Agencies Call for Pause in J&J COVID Vaccine After 6 People Develop Clots
After six people who received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose COVID-19 vaccine developed a type of rare and severe blood clot, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday each said they will seek a “pause” in use of the shots as they review the data. The… read on > read on >
Newborns Won’t Get COVID Through Infected Mom’s Breast Milk: Study
A new study offers more reassurance that mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 can safely breastfeed their babies. The study of 55 infants born to moms with COVID-19 found that none contracted the virus — even though most started getting breast milk in the hospital. Researchers said the findings support existing advice from public health authorities. Last… read on > read on >
Americans Are Eating Less Healthily Everywhere, Except at School
Taking a deep dive into how Americans eat, a new dietary analysis finds that no matter where people get their food, bad nutrition rules the day, with one key exception: schools. The conclusion is based on surveys conducted among 61,000 adults and children between 2003 and 2018. Respondents’ answers revealed that the quality of much… read on > read on >
U.K. Variant Won’t Trigger More Severe COVID, Studies Find
Two new studies out of Britain find that although the now-dominant “U.K. variant” of the new coronavirus does spread more quickly, it does not appear to lead to more severe disease in those made ill. The findings should help allay fears that more patients will die after infection with the variant, officially labeled B.1.1.7. Scientists… read on > read on >
Some Kids Snore, and It Could Affect Behavior
Snoring just isn’t for adults, and behavior problems in kids who regularly snore may be due to changes in their brain structure, researchers say. Prior studies have found a link between regular snoring and behavior problems such as inattention or hyperactivity, but this connection isn’t fully understood. And a few small studies have reported a… read on > read on >