When teens vape, their lungs pay a price, researchers report. The warning stems from a detailed analysis of smoking habit histories shared by just over 2,000 U.S. teens during a series of recent annual surveys. The upshot: When compared with teens who’ve never vaped, those who reported using electronic cigarettes in the month prior to…  read on >  read on >

Research into a possible link between childhood health problems and natural gas wells in western Pennsylvania is wrapping up with some answers. Children who lived near these wells were more likely to develop rare lymphoma, the research found. In addition, residents of all ages near the wells had increased risk of severe asthma reactions, the…  read on >  read on >

America’s emergency rooms are being flooded by children suffering from psychiatric emergencies like anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts or attempts, a new joint report from three leading medical associations warns. This surge in pediatric mental health emergencies has overwhelmed ERs in the United States, says the joint paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),…  read on >  read on >

New hospitalizations for Americans with severe COVID are climbing once again. The number of patients being admitted to hospitals has grown for each of the past four weeks, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows. Southeastern states have been hit the hardest. In the week ending Aug. 5, the United States had 10,320…  read on >  read on >

All infants should receive the new long-acting preventive monoclonal antibody for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the nation’s leading pediatrics group said. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urged that access to the new medication, called nirsevimab, be equitable. RSV is common, contagious and sometimes deadly, the AAP said. The antibody boosts the immune system. The…  read on >  read on >

Some menstrual products — pads, tampons, cups and underwear — contain harmful “forever chemicals,” according to new research into the contents of these essential items. Researchers analyzed more than 100 period products looking for fluorinated compounds, an indicator of potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The products typically don’t list ingredients on their…  read on >  read on >