Prevention
Why you shouldn’t take pain relievers after your flu shot
Why you shouldn’t take pain relievers after your flu shot Take pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve) after a flu shot at your own risk, as they may dilute the vaccine’s effectiveness. These medications work by blocking the COX-2 enzyme, which can reduce the production of antibodies that protect against illness. Avoid […]
🏥 Health
Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health
Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health Young adults (18-25 years old) are at a critical stage in their lives where behaviors that can harm heart health, such as smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity, become more common. The rate of heart disease among people under 40 […]
🏥 Health
HIV rates are highest in the American South, despite effective treatments – a clash between culture and public health
HIV rates are highest in the American South, despite effective treatments – a clash between culture and public health The American South has the highest HIV rates in the country, despite effective treatments like PrEP being available. A clash between culture and public health plays a significant role in why effective medical treatments are still […]
🏥 Health
Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks
Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks Vaccination rates among US children have declined by more than three-quarters of counties and jurisdictions since 2019, leading to a “large swath” of the country lacking basic immunity against diseases like measles. The decline in vaccination rates is concerning because it […]
🏥 Health
Violent acts in houses of worship are rare but deadly – here’s what the data shows
Violent acts in houses of worship are rare but deadly – here’s what the data shows A database of nearly 25 years of incidents records 379 violent acts at religious congregations and community centers across the United States, resulting in 487 deaths. About 7 in 10 incidents involved firearms, accounting for three-quarters of the deaths, […]
📰 News
Hepatitis B shot for newborns has nearly eliminated childhood infections with this virus in the US
Hepatitis B shot for newborns has nearly eliminated childhood infections with this virus in the US The hepatitis B shot for newborns has nearly eliminated childhood infections with this virus in the US, with fewer than 1,000 cases reported annually. In 1991, the CDC recommended vaccinating every child at birth to prevent early childhood hepatitis […]
🏥 Health
Trump administration cuts to terrorism prevention departments could leave Americans exposed
Trump administration cuts to terrorism prevention departments could leave Americans exposed The Trump administration’s cuts to terrorism prevention departments have left the US government’s ability to respond to terrorism severely limited, shifting its focus from prevention to a reactive military approach. The dismantling of key programs, including the Office of Countering Violent Extremism and the […]
🏛️ Politics
Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss
Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths, but too often they are used to blame mothers for pregnancy loss Fetal autopsies could help prevent stillbirths by identifying underlying causes, but they are rarely performed after stillbirths, occurring in only 1 in 5 cases. In the US, at least 1 in 4 stillbirths (and up to 50% […]
🏥 Health
To better detect chemical weapons, materials scientists are exploring new technologies
To better detect chemical weapons, materials scientists are exploring new technologies Chemical warfare, such as mustard gas, has caused tens of thousands of deaths and affected over a million people through injury and long-term health consequences across various conflicts. The development of a rapid, easy, and reliable way to detect toxic chemicals like mustard gas […]
🔬 Science
Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups
Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups Shingles vaccination rates increased among adults aged 50+ during the COVID-19 pandemic, but gaps remain for underserved groups. The CDC recommends shingles vaccination for all adults aged 50 and older, but uptake has been low due to limited awareness, cost […]
🏥 Health