Keep flossing: A new study finds that gum disease may raise the chances of hospitalization or death if COVID-19 strikes. The reason? Gum disease can be a sign of inflammation throughout the body. “It is well-established that systemic inflammation is not only linked with periodontal disease, but to several other respiratory diseases as well,” explained… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Bans on Evictions, Utility Shutoffs Are Curbing COVID Infections: Study
Bans on evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic may not only be keeping people safe and warm in their homes: They might also limit the spread of COVID-19, new research suggests. Over the first nine months of the pandemic, the study found, U.S. counties with those policies reduced COVID-19 infection rates by about 4%.… read on > read on >
Speeding on U.S. Roads Is Taking Thousands of Teenagers’ Lives
Nearly half — 43% — of all fatal car crashes involving teens and their passengers are the result of speeding, a new automobile safety report reveals. The finding stems from an in-depth analysis of all fatal motor vehicle accidents across the United States between 2015 and 2019. During this five-year period, 4,930 teen drivers and… read on > read on >
Most Americans May Keep Wearing Masks, Distancing Even After Pandemic: Survey
Wearing masks, frequent hand-washing and avoiding large crowds may not have been part of the American culture before the coronavirus pandemic began, but those habits are likely to stick around for a while, new research suggests. A national survey from Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center of more than 2,000 Americans shows that a majority… read on > read on >
Livestock Workers at Higher Risk for ‘Superbug’ Infection
Livestock workers have an elevated risk of getting infected with dangerous, antibiotic-resistant “superbug” bacteria, a new study shows. Researchers from Michigan State University expected that finding when studying those risks by reviewing 15 years of published literature. They just didn’t expect the risks to be as high as what their research uncovered. “This is a… read on > read on >
Diabetes While Pregnant Ups Odds for Heart Disease Later
Developing diabetes during pregnancy may increase a woman’s risk for heart disease later in life, according to a new study. It included about 1,100 women without type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Those who developed diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) were twice as likely by mid-life (average age: 48) to have calcium in their arteries,… read on > read on >
Kids Who Got Flu Shot Had Milder COVID Symptoms: Study
Here’s a new reason to make sure your kids get their seasonal flu shot. A new study showed that it reduces kids’ risk for symptoms and severe illness if they get COVID-19. That conclusion is drawn from medical records of more than 900 children diagnosed with COVID-19 between February and August of last year. Those… read on > read on >
Connecticut Man’s Illness Suggests Recurrent Case of COVID-19 Is Possible
An unfortunate Connecticut man apparently suffered through two separate bouts of COVID-19 four months apart, adding to evidence that reinfection can occur after natural immunity wanes, doctors say. The 43-year-old Hispanic man had a life-threatening first infection with COVID in April, suffering from respiratory failure so bad he wound up on a ventilator, said Dr.… read on > read on >
Study Shows Social Distancing Does Cut Your Odds for COVID-19
Keeping a safe distance because it is safer for everyone during a pandemic also carries a personal payoff. A new study finds that social distancing reduces your individual risk of contracting COVID-19. “The evidence from our work indicates there is value in socially distancing — not only to reduce the spread of a virus within… read on > read on >
Driving Hazards Differ for Teens With Autism
Getting a driver’s license is an important milestone for many teens and young adults, including those with autism. But all beginner drivers face hazards on the road. New research analyzing motor vehicle crashes shows that teens with autism are half as likely to crash due to speeding as their peers, but three times more likely… read on > read on >