Emergency room visits for injuries related to driving under the influence of cannabis skyrocketed in Canada after the drug was legalized there, a new study reports. In October 2018, Canada became the second country to nationally legalize recreational or nonmedical cannabis for adult use. While known cannabis-involved emergency department (ED) visits for traffic injuries were… read on > read on >
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VA Hospitals See Steep, Steady Rise in Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat domes and extreme heat waves have been battering the United States for years now, and a new study shows that increasing temperatures are doing real harm to humans. A significant increase in heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion has occurred during the past two decades among patients treated at U.S. Department of… read on > read on >
Warm Waters Raise Risk for Flesh-Eating Bacteria. Here’s Tips to Stay Safe
As waters warm across the United States and hurricanes and flooding season begins, the odds of being infected by flesh-eating bacteria are also rising, U.S. health officials warn. According to a Sept. 1 health alert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a dozen types of the bacteria called Vibrio cause an estimated… read on > read on >
As Another Hurricane Targets Florida, Experts Warn of Carbon Monoxide Dangers
Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall in the United States Wednesday. Idalia was forecast to be a powerful Category 3 storm by the time it reaches Florida’s Big Bend, an area prone to storm surge that stretches from Tampa to just south of Tallahassee. It’s also expected to hit eastern parts of Georgia and… read on > read on >
China to Drop COVID Test Requirement for Foreign Travelers
Starting Wed., Aug. 30, travelers to China will no longer need a negative COVID test to enter that country, officials announced Monday. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced the plan in a government news release, marking a big milestone in a country that has enforced strict lockdowns and “zero COVID” policies during the pandemic.… read on > read on >
Race, Income Big Factors in Deaths After U.S. Hurricanes
Death rates skyrocket during extreme weather events among the most vulnerable Americans, especially those from minority groups. A study looking at hurricanes over more than three decades showed that their impacts varied and were driven by differences in social, economic and demographic factors such as race. “Really, we wanted to understand what the comparative impact… read on > read on >
New U.S. Rule Mandates Easy Access to Airplane Bathrooms by People Using Wheelchairs
Airlines will now be required to make bathrooms on their planes more accessible for the disabled, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday. The new rule, authorized under the Air Carrier Access Act, requires airlines to make lavatories on any new single-aisle aircraft large enough to allow a passenger with a disability and an attendant… read on > read on >
Extreme Heat Can Take Toll on People Battling Mental Health Issues
While the record-breaking heat the United States is experiencing this summer can stress people to their limits, it can be particularly hard to navigate for those with mental health issues. “All mental illnesses increase with heat because it results in more fatigue, irritability and anxiety, and it can exacerbate depressive episodes,” said Dr. Asim Shah,… read on > read on >
Many Child Car Seats Are Improperly Installed, Even Those Deemed Easy to Manage
Many parents in the United States aren’t installing child car seats correctly, a new study finds. Errors in car seat installation are common, even for seats that have a 5-star rating for features like ease of use, researchers found. The study found that fewer errors were detected when parents installed seats that had higher ratings,… read on > read on >
Many Seniors With Thinking Declines Still Drive
Getting older adults who are failing mentally to relinquish their car keys can be challenging. But those conversations are necessary, said researchers who found a majority of adults with cognitive impairment still get behind the wheel. Michigan Medicine researchers studied this issue in a South Texas community. They found that more than 600 adults over… read on > read on >