Add heat waves to the many health threats facing homeless people. Last year, the United States had 580,000 homeless people — 28% of them in California, where seven in 10 live outdoors. That’s nearly nine times more than in any other state. “The same weather that makes living unsheltered possible in California also exposes people… read on > read on >
Lockdowns keep people home for a few weeks, but they lose their luster after a few months, claims a new study that comes as many countries consider a return to lockdowns to slow the renewed spread of COVID-19. The findings could be used by policymakers when deciding whether to impose lockdowns, the researchers said. For… read on > read on >
Don’t let a picture-perfect snowfall turn deadly. Shoveling snow can cause heart attacks or sudden cardiac arrest in folks with heart conditions and even in those who are unaware that they have heart disease, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns. “Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity, made even more so by the impact that… read on >
Give yourself and your loved ones the gifts of health and safety this holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests. The agency outlines 12 ways to do that, beginning with a reminder that washing your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread… read on > read on >
Determining whether a young person with autism is ready to drive can be tricky for their health care providers. That’s the upshot of a new survey that included 78 pediatric physicians, psychologists and other providers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Half of the respondents said they routinely talk to teen patients about their transportation needs… read on > read on >
Summer can sizzle in the city, but a new report finds urban living is getting hotter than ever before. The research shows that city dwellers may be suffering from what scientists call an urban “heat penalty” — an extra two to six hours a day of uncomfortably hot summer temperatures. And most of those sweltering… read on > read on >
At least 48 passengers and crew members on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas — the world’s largest cruise ship — have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been quarantined, the company said Monday. Of the 48 people who tested positive during the sailing, 98% were fully vaccinated. That’s not surprising, since the overall vaccination… read on > read on >
A growing number of pregnant women are using marijuana or other cannabis products, and a new study suggests that relief of symptoms such as morning sickness may be a primary reason. In recent years, studies have documented a rise in cannabis use during pregnancy. One U.S. government study found that between 2002 and 2017, the… read on > read on >
Large, simultaneous heat waves have become much more common in northern regions worldwide due to climate change and could have disastrous consequences, researchers warn. The investigators also found that these concurrent heat waves are becoming larger and hotter. “More than one heat wave occurring at the same time often has worse societal impacts than a… read on > read on >
If you’re among the many people who use space heaters and generators during the winter, you need to guard against fire and carbon monoxide (CO) hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says. In the United States, that’s especially true for Black Americans, who have the highest rate of fire deaths — nearly twice… read on > read on >
