Today: October 06, 2024
Today: October 06, 2024

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Health

Food insecurity already affects 12 million US homes -- and reductions in SNAP benefits won't help

Of the 34 million Americans who suffer from food insecurity, 9 million are children. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Digital Vision via Getty Images Millions of Americans struggle to afford healthy meals and nutritious food. Known as “food insecurity,” this problem was already rising when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits – previously called food stamps – were cut in 35 states this spring. SciLine interviewed Hilary Seligman, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, on rising grocery prices, the misconceptions about hunger in the U.S., and how food insecurity diminishes school and work performance. Hilary Seligman discussed

Food insecurity already affects 12 million US homes -- and reductions in SNAP benefits won't help
Health

Suicides and homicides among young Americans jumped early in pandemic, study says

The homicide rate for older U.S. teenagers rose to its highest point in nearly 25 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the suicide rate for adults in their early 20s was the worst in more than 50 years, government researchers said Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report examined the homicide and suicide rates among 10- to 24-year-olds from 2001 to 2021. The increase is alarming and “reflects a mental health crisis among young people and a need for a number of policy changes,” said Dr. Steven Woolf, a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher who

Suicides and homicides among young Americans jumped early in pandemic, study says
Health

Disinfectants and cleaning products harboring toxic chemicals are widely used despite lack of screening for potential health hazards

Quaternary ammonium compounds can linger on surfaces and in indoor air and dust long after the disinfectant has dried. Guido Mieth/DigitalVision via Getty Images The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Concerns about unnecessary use of a common class of antimicrobial chemicals used in disinfectants reinforces recommendations to opt for soap and water or safer products, my colleagues and I determined in our recent critical review of the scientific literature. Quaternary ammonium compounds, or QACs, are increasingly marketed and used in homes, schools and workplaces with limited evidence for their appropriateness or safety.

Disinfectants and cleaning products harboring toxic chemicals are widely used despite lack of screening for potential health hazards
Health

FDA's approval of the world's first vaccine against RSV will offer a new tool in an old fight – 4 questions answered

The long-awaited vaccine is a necessary tool in the fight against the most common respiratory viruses. angelp/iStock via Getty Images Plus The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first vaccine to prevent the respiratory infection RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus, on May 3, 2023. The new shot represents six decades of starts and stops in the hunt for a vaccine to curb one of the most common winter respiratory viruses. RSV leads to around 14,000 deaths in older adults every year and can cause severe illness in infants and children as well. The vaccine, called Arexvy, made

FDA's approval of the world's first vaccine against RSV will offer a new tool in an old fight – 4 questions answered
Health

What does ending the emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US mean in practice? 4 questions answered

COVID-19 hasn’t vanished, but at this point it’s doing less damage. Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic’s public health emergency status in the U.S. expires on May 11, 2023. And on May 5, the World Health Organization declared an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, designation that had been in place since Jan. 30, 2020. Still, both the WHO and the White House have made clear that while the emergency phase of the pandemic has ended, the virus is here to stay and could continue to wreak havoc. WHO Director General Tedros

What does ending the emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US mean in practice? 4 questions answered
Health

Gay men can now donate blood after FDA changes decades-old rule – a health policy researcher explains the benefits

Allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood would help alleviate chronic blood supply shortages in the U.S. Petri Oeschger/Moment via Getty Images The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on May 11, 2023, that it has officially dropped restrictions that prohibit gay and bisexual men from donating blood under many circumstances on May 11, 2023. The ban was initially put in place in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but for years medical professionals and gay rights advocates have argued that the ban was no longer medically justifiable and that it unnecessarily discriminated against men who have sex

Gay men can now donate blood after FDA changes decades-old rule – a health policy researcher explains the benefits
Health

Pivotal points in the COVID-19 pandemic – 5 essential reads

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has evolved over time into multiple variants and sublineages. loops7 / E+ via Getty Images Experts have made it clear that the end of the COVID-19 national emergency, which was lifted on May 11, 2023, does not mean an end to the pandemic. But this shift signals a remarkable turning point in a pandemic that is well into its fourth year – something that few could have imagined when the U.S. national emergency went into effect in March 2020. Likewise, the World Health Organization’s announcement on May 5 that it was ending the COVID-19

Pivotal points in the COVID-19 pandemic – 5 essential reads
Health

Parasitic infections hit the health of low-income Black communities where states have neglected sewage systems

A microscopic image of a hookworm egg that can cause intestinal problems in humans. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Intestinal infections take a heavy toll on impoverished Black communities that have out-of-date sewage systems. These infections often spread through contaminated soil and water and are among the most common diseases worldwide. Approximately one-quarter of the global population is infected with soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal parasitic worms that can cause serious health problems. Additionally, up to 50% of people around the world are infected with Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that live in the stomach and can cause ulcers and cancer. I am a biological anthropologist,

Parasitic infections hit the health of low-income Black communities where states have neglected sewage systems
Health

Anesthesia can cause disturbing sexual hallucinations, leading to lasting psychological trauma

Having witnesses or recording devices during procedures requiring anesthesia could help prevent opportunities for sexual assault. Science Photo Library/Getty Images Some patients can have vivid and detailed sexual hallucinations during anesthesia with sedative-hypnotic drugs like propofol, midazolam, diazepam and nitrous oxide. Some make suggestive or sexual comments or act out, such as grabbing or kissing medical professionals or touching themselves in a sexual way. Others awaken erroneously believing they were sexually assaulted. Why does this happen? Doctors have long known that sedative-hypnotic drugs, which slow down brain activity to induce calm or sleep, can affect a patient’s perception of reality.

Anesthesia can cause disturbing sexual hallucinations, leading to lasting psychological trauma
Health

A little-understood sleep disorder affects millions and has clear links to dementia – 4 questions answered

Past age 50, men are much more likely to have REM sleep behavior disorder than women. Jose Luis Pelaez/Stone via Getty Images A little-known and poorly understood sleep disorder that occurs during the rapid eye movement, or REM, stage of sleep has been garnering attention for its role in foreshadowing neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The disorder, known as REM sleep behavior disorder, or RBD in the medical field, affects around 1% of the general population worldwide and about 2% of adults over 65. The Conversation talked with Anelyssa D’Abreu, a neurologist who

A little-understood sleep disorder affects millions and has clear links to dementia – 4 questions answered
Health

Including race in clinical algorithms can both reduce and increase health inequities – it depends on what doctors use them for

An increasing number of health care decisions rely on information from algorithms. Tom Werner/Digital Vision via Getty Images Health practitioners are increasingly concerned that because race is a social construct, and the biological mechanisms of how race affects clinical outcomes are often unknown, including race in predictive algorithms for clinical decision-making may worsen inequities. For example, to calculate an estimate of kidney function called the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, health care providers use an algorithm based on age, biological sex, race (Black or non-Black) and serum creatinine, a waste product the kidneys release into the blood. A higher

Including race in clinical algorithms can both reduce and increase health inequities – it depends on what doctors use them for
Health

Cytomegalovirus lies dormant in most US adults and is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, but few have heard of it

Cytomegalovirus belongs to the same virus family, _Herpesviridae_, as cold sores and chickenpox. Callista Images/Image Source via Getty Images “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this virus?” is a frequent response I hear from parents upon learning their newborn is infected with cytomegalovirus, or CMV. Although more than half of the U.S. population will be infected with CMV by the age of 40 and the disease is common worldwide, few people have ever heard of it. CMV belongs to the same virus family as cold sores and chickenpox and, like those viruses, lives in the body for life. Most children

Cytomegalovirus lies dormant in most US adults and is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, but few have heard of it
Health

Drugs that melt away pounds still present more questions than answers, but Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro could be key tools in reducing the obesity epidemic

Despite the promise of drugs that can help people shed pounds, healthy lifestyle choices are still key to overall health. Zing Images / DigitalVision via Getty Images In the past five years, several new drugs have been brought to market that could lead to a profound, if not revolutionary, change in how health care providers – and the public – view weight loss. Three drugs in particular – sold under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro – have shown remarkable effects on weight loss in clinical trials. While Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for weight

Drugs that melt away pounds still present more questions than answers, but Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro could be key tools in reducing the obesity epidemic
Health

Birth of a story: How new parents find meaning after childbirth hints at how they will adjust

Having a new baby can upend everything about your old life. Cavan Images/Cavan via Getty Images Gather a group of new parents and the conversation will likely turn to their childbirth stories – ranging from the joyful to the gnarly to the positively traumatic. Birth story podcasts and websites feature a curated range of birth experiences, and you can buy embossed leather “birth story” journals as a baby shower gift. People are fascinated by this pivotal, emotionally complex and literally life-and-death experience. Birth narratives might also contain clues about how the adjustment to parenthood will go. People have long used

Birth of a story: How new parents find meaning after childbirth hints at how they will adjust
Health

Mounting research documents the harmful effects of social media use on mental health, including body image and development of eating disorders

The hours spent – and the content viewed – by teens on social media can lead to depression, anxiety and body image issues. Mixmike/E+via Getty Images Media influences and conventional beauty standards have long plagued society. This issue took on new urgency in May 2023 when the U.S. surgeon general issued a major public advisory over the links between social media and youth mental health. Research shows that images of beauty as depicted in movies, television and magazines can lead to mental illness, issues with disordered eating and body image dissatisfaction. These trends have been documented in women and men, in

Mounting research documents the harmful effects of social media use on mental health, including body image and development of eating disorders
Health

WHO's recommendation against the use of artificial sweeteners for weight loss leaves many questions unanswered

Sugar alternatives go by many names including artificial sweeteners, low-calorie sweeteners and nonsugar sweeteners. Marie LaFauci/Moment via Getty Images Do low-calorie sweeteners help with weight management? And are they safe for long-term use? This is among the most controversial topics in nutritional science. In early May 2023, the World Health Organization issued a statement that cautions against the use of nonsugar sweeteners for weight loss except for people who have preexisting diabetes. The WHO based its new recommendation on a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of scientific studies on nonsugar sweetener consumption in humans. This type of study reviews a

WHO's recommendation against the use of artificial sweeteners for weight loss leaves many questions unanswered
Health

Drawing, making music and writing poetry can support healing and bring more humanity to health care in US hospitals

Facing a blank page can be an exercise in courage. stellalevi/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the deep need that people feel for human touch and connection in hospital settings. Having relatives peering through windows at their loved ones or unable to enter hospitals altogether exacerbated the lack of human intimacy that is all too common in health care settings. Opportunities for creative expression through arts in medicine programs are increasing in U.S. hospitals, and it may be because art-making offers something that medicine can’t. Evidence shows that taking part in art programs has

Drawing, making music and writing poetry can support healing and bring more humanity to health care in US hospitals
Health

Anti-trans bills and political climates are taking a significant mental health toll on trans and nonbinary people – even during Pride

States and schools with more inclusive policies and protections help LGBTQ youth and their families feel safer. AP Photo/Tommy Martino Pride month is a time of celebration for the LGBTQ+ community, with parades and events that bring people together in joyful moments of connection. In 2023, as the LGBTQ+ community is facing unprecedented legislative attacks, I am especially reminded of the history of protest and activism that is inherently a part of Pride and its origins. There have been almost 500 bills proposed this legislative cycle seeking to limit the rights of LGBTQ+ people and their access to essential resources

Anti-trans bills and political climates are taking a significant mental health toll on trans and nonbinary people – even during Pride
Health

Annual numbers of excess deaths in the US relative to other developed countries are growing at an alarming rate

Homicides and the opioid epidemic both contribute to the rising U.S. death rates. Rubber Ball Productions/Brand X Pictures via Getty Images The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea People in the U.S. are dying at higher rates than in other similar high-income countries, and that difference is only growing. That’s the key finding of a new study that I published in the journal PLOS One. In 2021, more than 892,000 of the 3,456,000 deaths the U.S. experienced, or about 1 in 4, were “excess deaths.” In 2019, that number was 483,000 deaths, or

Annual numbers of excess deaths in the US relative to other developed countries are growing at an alarming rate
Health

Adjusting jobs to protect workers' mental health is both easier and harder than you might think

Work doesn’t have to make you feel burned out. Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision via Getty Images U.S. employees are increasingly struggling with mental health challenges tied to their jobs, such as depression, anxiety and burnout. We’re professors who research how employees interact and workplace well-being. After noticing that research on mental health and work had not kept up with the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges, we reviewed existing findings on mental health and work to see how scholars can best investigate these issues going forward. We found that employers could greatly reduce the causes of many of their employees’ mental health

Adjusting jobs to protect workers' mental health is both easier and harder than you might think
Health

Wildfire smoke and dirty air are also climate change problems: Solutions for a world on fire

People wore face masks as wildfire smoke from Canada turned New York City’s sky orange on June 7, 2023. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images As the eastern U.S. and Canada reeled from days of thick wildfire smoke in early June 2023, millions of people faced the reality of climate change for the first time. Shocking images of New York under apocalyptic orange skies left many people glued to air quality indices and wondering whether it was safe to go outside. What they might not realize is that the air many of them breathe isn’t healthy even when wildfire smoke isn’t

Wildfire smoke and dirty air are also climate change problems: Solutions for a world on fire
Health

Henri 'Pocket Rocket' Richard, 11-time winner of Stanley Cup, diagnosed with CTE after death in 2020

Henri Richard’s family says the late Hockey Hall of Famer has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease linked to concussions. “I hope my father’s brain donation and diagnosis will lead to more prevention efforts, research, and eventually a CTE treatment,” Denis Richard, Henri’s son, said on Wednesday, a day after the clinching game of the Stanley Cup Final. “I want people to understand this is a disease that impacts athletes far beyond football.” Richard, who died in 2020 at the age of 84, was diagnosed with CTE by Dr. Stephen Saikali at Université Laval in Québec

Henri 'Pocket Rocket' Richard, 11-time winner of Stanley Cup, diagnosed with CTE after death in 2020
Political

Candidate in high-stakes Virginia election performed sex acts with husband in live videos

A candidate in a high-stakes legislative contest in Virginia had sex with her husband in live videos posted on a pornographic website and asked viewers to pay them money in return for carrying out specific sex acts. Screenshots of Susanna Gibson on the website were shared with The Associated Press. The campaign for Gibson, a Democrat running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in a district just outside Richmond, issued a statement Monday in which it denounced the sharing of the videos as a violation of the law and her privacy. Gibson called

Candidate in high-stakes Virginia election performed sex acts with husband in live videos
Political

Infowars host Owen Shroyer gets 2 months behind bars in Capitol riot case

Infowars host Owen Shroyer was sentenced on Tuesday to two months behind bars for joining the mob’s riot at the U.S. Capitol, which prosecutors said he “helped create” by spewing violent rhetoric and spreading baseless claims of election fraud to hundreds of thousands of viewers. Shroyer hosts a daily show called “The War Room With Owen Shroyer” for the website operated by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Prosecutors said Shroyer used his online platform — and later a megaphone outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 — to amplify lies that Democrats stole the 2020 presidential election from

Infowars host Owen Shroyer gets 2 months behind bars in Capitol riot case
Political

Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits ended

Child poverty in the United States more than doubled and median household income declined last year when coronavirus pandemic-era government benefits expired and inflation kept rising, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. At the same time, the official poverty rate for Black Americans dropped to its lowest level on record and income inequality declined for the first time since 2007 when looking at pre-tax income. However, income inequality increased when using after-tax income, another result of the end of pandemic-era tax credits, according to Census Bureau reports on income, poverty and health insurance. The reports reflected

Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits ended

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