A rising number of young Americans, including children, are taking their own lives using firearms, a new study finds. Researchers found that between 2008 and 2018, gun suicides showed an “alarming” increase among Americans aged 5 to 24. And while those suicides remain rare among children, the rate among kids under 15 quadrupled during the… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Babies Produce Strong Immune Response to Ward Off COVID-19: Study
British researchers report that babies have a strong immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19, based on a new, small study. For the research, the investigators assessed the immune systems of four infants under 3 months of age who had recovered from COVID, and compared them with adults who also had recovered from the… read on > read on >
There Are Many Good Reasons for Kids to Get the COVID Vaccine
Parents need to know that COVID-19 shots are safe and effective for kids age 12 and older, an expert says. While the Pfizer vaccine is approved in the United States for emergency use in this age group, parents may need reassurance, said Dr. Jessica Ericson, an infectious disease pediatrician at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital… read on > read on >
Teens Who Text While Driving May Take Other Risks Behind the Wheel
When it comes to teens, one risky driving behavior may beget other risky behaviors on the road: New research finds that those who use cellphones while behind the wheel are more likely to engage in other types of risky driving. “This study found that frequent cellphone use while driving was only one indicator of a… read on > read on >
Teasing People About Weight Can Help Bring on Eating Disorders
What can make a young person vulnerable to eating disorders? Teasing them about any extra pounds they may carry, researchers say. “Our findings add to the growing evidence that weight-based mistreatment is not helpful and is often harmful to the health of young people,” said study leader Laura Hooper, a PhD student at the University… read on > read on >
Big Rise in Suicide Attempts by U.S. Teen Girls During Pandemic
The suicide attempt rate has leapt by as much as half among teenage girls during the coronavirus pandemic, a new government study shows. Emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts among girls between the ages of 12 and 17 increased by 26% during summer 2020 and by 50% during winter 2021, compared with the same… read on > read on >
More Evidence Flu Shot Is Safe in Pregnancy
There’s more proof that getting a flu shot during pregnancy doesn’t pose a risk to children’s health. “This study adds to what we know from other recent studies showing no harmful effects of flu vaccination during pregnancy on the longer-term health of children,” said study leader Dr. Deshayne Fell, an associate professor of epidemiology at… read on > read on >
Did People Smoke More or Less During the Pandemic?
The coronavirus pandemic has affected American smokers in different ways, a new study finds. While some smoked more to help them cope with the crisis, others quit to reduce their COVID-19 infection risk. “Even before the pandemic, tobacco smoking was the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. COVID-19 has given smokers yet… read on > read on >
Child Drownings in U.S. Pools, Spas Are on the Rise
Pool and spa drowning deaths among U.S. children are spiking upwards, and restrictions related to the COVID pandemic may also mean that fewer kids are getting the swimming lessons that might keep them safe, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warns. On average, there were about 400 reported pool/spa drowning deaths among children younger than age… read on > read on >
Heavy Drinking Could Lower a Woman’s Odds of Conception
Heavy drinking reduces a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, and even moderate drinking during the second half of the menstrual cycle is associated with a reduced likelihood of conceiving, according to a new study. The new research involved 413 American women aged between 19 and 41 who were recruited between 1990 and 1994 and followed… read on > read on >