Teen boys in the United States are less likely than girls to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) because many doctors don’t recommend the shots to boys’ parents, researchers say. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, mouth and throat cancers. The HPV vaccine is recommended as a… read on >
Diarrhea in young babies should be taken seriously if it lasts for more than one day, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Common symptoms of diarrhea in an infant are a faster heartbeat, dry mouth, no tears when crying, or no wet diaper for at least three hours.… read on >
Piling on pounds is bad for your health from head to toe. So say Korean researchers, who report that unhealthy weight gain ups a person’s odds for disfiguring toenail fungal infections. In fact, people who are statistically obese have more than double the rate of the infection, known as onychomycosis, compared to slim people, the… read on >
Millions of Americans buy marijuana online illegally, a new study found. “Anyone, including teenagers, can search for and buy marijuana from their smartphone, regardless of what state they live in,” said study leader John Ayers. He’s an associate research professor at San Diego State University’s School of Public Health. In the study, Ayers’ team examined… read on >
After American women began to adopt annual mammography screening in the 1980s, a very healthy thing happened: the average size of newly discovered breast tumors got smaller. That’s the finding from a new look at data on more than 386,000 U.S. women who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1983 and 2014. The average size… read on >
Women with breast symptoms at a regular cancer screening are more likely to develop breast cancer before their next screening, a new study finds. The study included women who took part in the Finnish National Breast Cancer Screening Program between 1992 and 2012. It invites women between ages 50 and 69 for mammograms every two… read on >
A wellness policy is a written document that helps guide a school’s approach to nutrition and physical activity. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests: Including nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold on campus during the school day. Including policies for foods made available for classroom parties. Including policies to prevent… read on >
A high chair is a staple in a baby’s household, but it must be used safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests: Make sure the chair cannot be tipped over easily. If the chair folds, be sure it is locked in the open position each time you use it. Whenever your child sits in the… read on >
Young people treated for self-inflicted injuries face a far higher-than-average risk of suicide in the next year, a new study finds. Among teenagers and young adults diagnosed with a “self-harm” injury, the risk of suicide in the next year was nearly 27 times higher than the U.S. norm, researchers found. Certain young people were at… read on >
A low sperm count may do more than affect a man’s ability to have children. It also may be linked to a number of health problems, new research suggests. A study of nearly 5,200 Italian men found that those with low sperm counts were 1.2 times more likely to have more body fat, higher blood… read on >
