Contaminated water is the leading cause of large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, researchers say. These health threats are called zoonotic infectious diseases, and recent outbreaks include COVID-19 and Ebola. “In the age of COVID-19, it is understandable that many people may not realize how many outbreaks of…  read on >  read on >

Climate change is already making Americans sick and researchers warn that the nation must take swift action to protect people’s well-being. “Climate change effects aren’t just an abstraction, something that will happen years from now. They are happening today, and they impact every aspect of your health, from the air you breathe [more smoke, more…  read on >  read on >

In yet another example of the cost of the pandemic, a new study finds there were significant increases in bicycle- and gun-related injuries during coronavirus lockdowns in the United States, but a decrease in traffic injuries. Researchers analyzed data on more than 27,600 trauma cases at four Level I trauma centers in Orange County, Calif.;…  read on >  read on >

Researchers may be one step closer to developing the equivalent of a Breathalyzer for detecting marijuana use. In an early study, scientists found that their rapid test was able to reliably detect THC in people’s saliva in under 5 minutes. THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in marijuana. Right now, the “gold standard”…  read on >  read on >

Parents of teen drivers can play a crucial role in making their children safe drivers, the Governors Highway Safety Association says. Millions of U.S. teens are learning to drive at an especially challenging time as risky and dangerous driving has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association noted. “Teen drivers are more likely than any…  read on >  read on >