Health

Make Believe Ideas Ltd. is recalling hundreds of thousands of board books for small kids sold across the U.S. after learning of plastic rings detaching from the products and presenting a choking hazard. About 260,000 of the Rainbow Road Series board books were sold nationwide at retailers including Barnes & …

Heading into the 2023 flu season, the amoxicillin shortage in the U.S. has been in effect for nearly a year. In a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, a group of physicians from Boston Children’s Hospital determined that since the shortage began, the odds of a child being prescribed …

People are becoming more concerned about COVID-19 amid the recent uptick in cases and new variants, according to Gallup’s latest quarterly poll. Gallup polled more than 5,000 U.S. adults between Aug. 29 and Sept. 5. Thirty percent of respondents said they believe the pandemic is getting worse — up from …

That bag of chips or slice of frozen pizza might make you happy while you’re eating it — but it could make you more susceptible to sadness long after the last bite. A new study published in the journal JAMA Open Network found that eating “ultraprocessed” foods can contribute to …

Federal health authorities are urging Americans to reach out to their insurers after reports of some people encountering trouble getting their new COVID-19 vaccine shot for free. Those issues have arisen despite programs and requirements designed to make the shots available at no out-of-pocket cost for all Americans. The hurdles …

Amid the outbreak of dengue fever currently sweeping Jamaica, health experts are warning about the dangers of the mosquito-borne illness. Jamaica’s Ministry of Health & Wellness announced the outbreak on Saturday. As of Friday, the country had recorded 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases of dengue.  A majority of the …

Bruce Willis’ frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis is bringing more attention to the rare condition. For World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week, Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, and the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration CEO Susan Dickinson joined NBC’s “TODAY” to speak openly about the actor’s health status and details of the disease. …

The National Nursing Shortage is affecting rural areas The nationwide nursing shortage is hitting small communities hardest. And, it’s because when it comes to recruiting, small communities just can’t compete. This forces hospital staff to stop offering some procedures and work several jobs at once. Less than half of U.S. …

Jellyfish could be much smarter than scientists previously thought, asserts a new study published in the journal Current Biology. Poisonous Caribbean box jellyfish can learn at a far more complex level than ever imagined, despite only having 1,000 nerve cells and no centralized brain, according to new research from the …

Pregnant or breastfeeding women who consume diet soda or other foods and drinks containing aspartame could experience higher rates of autism diagnoses in their sons, a new study has revealed. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) found that among boys …

Men who experience job strain — and who report putting in high effort only to receive little reward — have twice the risk of heart disease compared to those who do not have those psychological stressors, according to a new study by Canadian researchers. The impact of this combination of …

Health officials in Jamaica have declared an outbreak of the dengue fever Saturday with at least 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases in the Caribbean nation.  Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness says the outbreak comes as its National Surveillance Unit “advised that Jamaica has surpassed the dengue epidemic threshold …

Car accidents are a leading cause of death for kids. In 2021, 710 children in the U.S. under the age of 13 were killed in vehicle crashes, and more than 100,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among those who died, more than a third of …

Early risers could have a leg up on their health and well-being. A recent study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts revealed that “night owls” are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to morning people. The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on …

Taking puberty-blocking drugs has been shown to cause mental health issues in trans children, according to a recent analysis from the University of Essex. In re-examining the results of a previous study, the U.K. researchers determined that one-third of the youth with gender dysphoria (GD) experienced a decline in mental …

If a pesky mosquito bite just doesn’t seem to go away, it could be something else — namely, skeeter syndrome. Skeeter syndrome, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is “a large local allergic reaction to mosquito bites marked by significant inflammation.”  The syndrome can be described as a severe allergic reaction …

An independent evaluation has indicated that the global campaign to eliminate polio is likely to fall short of achieving two critical goals in the ongoing battle against the disease this year. The GPEI has concurred with this assessment, citing persistent security concerns in crucial regions. Efforts to eradicate polio, a …

All U.S. states have an obesity rate among their residents of higher than 20%, which is at least one in five adults — and many exceed that. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its 2022 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps on Thursday, detailing obesity rates for the 50 …

Shimano is recalling nearly 700,000 bonded 11-Speed Hollowtech Road cranksets because the parts pose a crash risk to riders. The recalled bonded cranksets can “separate and break,” causing consumers to crash, a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows. The crankset is the part of the bike that moves the …

As a growing number of American parents are giving their kids melatonin to help them fall asleep, some experts are warning of potential risks. Nearly half (46%) of parents in the U.S. have given melatonin to a child under the age of 13, and almost one-third (30%) of parents have …

The U.S. government is awarding $45 million in grants to help clinics treating long COVID develop new models of care and expand access, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Wednesday. Nine clinics will receive $1 million grants annually over the next five years through the Agency …

Dan and Jessica Roomberg’s life was turned upside down when their first child, Mila, was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type 1 in 2017. (Dan and Jessica Roomberg) ‘SWEETEST GIRL IN THE WORLD’ – Pennsylvania parents honor their daughter by raising awareness of her rare genetic disease. Continue reading… JAB JITTERS – A pediatrician …

In the U.S., a person has a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — making strokes just as widespread as they are dangerous. There are different causes of stroke, but the most common is a blockage of blood flow to part of …

The U.S. government is reactivating the program that mails free COVID-19 tests to Americans’ homes upon request. Effective Sept. 25, households will be able to order four free tests online through COVIDTests.gov. These tests, which can detect the new COVID variants currently circulating, are intended for use through the end …

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just published its first report on the global impact of hypertension and how people can win the race against this “silent killer” that often presents without symptoms.  “This important report from WHO shows how high blood pressure is common and growing in prevalence, but …

Northeastern University in Boston will be given $17.5 million by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lead an innovation center focused on infectious disease detection and preparation, the university announced. The Center for Advanced Epidemic Analytics and Predictive Modeling Technology, or EPISTORM, will “help detect and prepare …

Just as our bodies and organs break down as we age, so do our brains.  While the cognitive aging process can’t be stopped, there are ways we can slow it down, according to Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert. The key, he said, is sending the body …

Singer Sufjan Stevens is on the mend after being diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome. The Grammy and Oscar-nominated musician shared an update with his fans on his website Wednesday explaining why he hasn’t been able to participate in the promotion of his latest album, “Javelin.” “Last month I …

The non-sugar, low-calorie sweetener aspartame — which is found in many sugar-free or “diet” foods and drinks — has been linked to potential problems with memory and learning, according to a study from the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine. In the study, which was published in the journal …

Nearly three-quarters of the over 29 million adult Americans who identify as having substance use disorder are in recovery, new federal data shows. This weekend, hundreds of advocates in the field gathered in Washington, D.C. to call for political action and support for people in recovery, who make up a …

A puppy recently tested positive for rabies and was euthanized in New Mexico, according to a news release from the state’s health department. The animal, located in Bernalillo County, had shown signs that included tremors, lack of coordination and agitation.  Health officials said the pup might have contracted the virus …

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly to introduce legislation aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly to introduce legislation aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates 04:59 CHICAGO (CBS) — The United States is one of the most developed nations in the world, but when it comes to the maternal …

The Food and Drug Administration declined on Tuesday to approve neffy, an epinephrine nasal spray from drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals, keeping the first needle-free option for Americans to treat severe allergic reactions off the market pending more trial data. ARS had expected the FDA to approve neffy for use in adults …

Bacteria-containing dust found at day care centers could put children at a higher risk of asthma, a new study from the European Respiratory Society suggests. In the study, the researchers collected dust samples from 103 different day care facilities in Paris, France.  Then they analyzed the samples in a lab …

Back-to-school time means a focus on children’s immunizations ahead of flu season — but the prospect of shots can be scary and anxiety-inducing for many kids. Some two in three children have strong fears around needles, according to CDC data. Evelyn Chan, pediatrician and CEO of Smileyscope in California, said …

CU grad Matt Jackson among those severely ill after botulism outbreak overseas CU grad Matt Jackson among those severely ill after botulism outbreak overseas 02:54 The parents of Matt Jackson are waiting and worrying about their 41-year-old son who remains in an intensive care unit in a French hospital after …

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men.  The only type of cancer more common than prostate cancer is skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Symptoms of prostate cancer are usually minimal, or not experienced at all. This common cancer is treatable when caught early, …

For those women who are considering terminating their pregnancies, a new chatbot called Charley aims to help them start the process of getting an abortion. The chatbot, which launched on Sept. 12, is available on Charley’s website, greeting visitors with the message, “Need an abortion? Let’s get started.” On its …

A new study published last week suggests the psychedelic drug MDMA, also known as Ecstasy or Molly, can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and some expect the treatment to be approved by 2024. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit research and educational organization that was formed …

A viral TikTok trend is claiming that the use of several supplements can help ease anxiety. Anxiety sufferers have tested the effects of magnesium and D3 vitamins to curb their symptoms — and many people say it’s working. TikTok user Tyler Wesley (@tylerjohnwesley), as a “huge sufferer of anxiety,” reported …

Data released this summer from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated the average emergency room (ER) visit times for each of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Patients in Washington, D.C. had the longest average visit — at 5 hours and 29 minutes. The …

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, during a virtual roundtable with Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the state’s surgeon general, and other doctors on Wednesday, told residents that if they are under the age of 65, they should not get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The governor’s comments came during a discussion held on Zoom …

A toddler who was his parent’s “pride and joy” died from a brain-eating amoeba after playing at an Arkansas country club’s splash pad.  Michael Alexander Pollock III, a 16-months-old, passed away on Sept. 4, after contracting the rare brain-eating infection while his parents, Michael Jr. and Julia Pollock, were out …

The well-known saying that “opposites attract” may not always be accurate, according to a recent report from the University of Colorado Boulder. A group of researchers reviewed previous studies and their own original data analysis of more than 130 traits spanning millions of couples, as far back as the year …

Depression rates are higher than ever, with nearly 30% of U.S. adults reporting a diagnosis at some point in their lives. While many factors come into play, there are some healthy steps people can take to reduce their risk of slipping into sadness, as revealed in a new study published …

With research showing that only 22% of Americans keep a written record of their end-of-life wishes, a team at OSF HealthCare in Illinois is using artificial intelligence to help physicians determine which patients have a higher chance of dying during their hospital stay. The team developed an AI model that …

Experts say the U.S. is currently in a “fourth wave” of opioid overdose deaths, this one marked by a sharp increase in fentanyl — a synthetic opioid — being mixed with stimulant drugs. A study published in the journal Addiction on Thursday by UCLA found that the share of overdoses …

Tasha Kann, a Michigan mom, was determined to keep her baby alive, even if it meant sacrificing her own treatment. (Tasha Kann) ‘AGAINST GOD’S WILL’ – Tasha Kann shares her story of how she refused to abort her baby after a brain cancer diagnosis. Continue reading… AVOIDING ALZHEIMER’S – A neuropsychologist with …

Dozens of doctors and nurses silently lined the hospital hallway in tribute: For a history-making two months, a pig’s kidney worked normally inside the brain-dead man on the gurney rolling past them. The dramatic experiment came to an end Wednesday as surgeons at NYU Langone Health removed the pig kidney …

More and more people are making it to the 100-year milestone. Nearly 90,000 people were at least 100 years and older in the U.S. as of 2021, almost double the amount 20 years prior, according to data from the United Nations. So — what’s their secret? The odds of being …