Prevention
Smoking is still involved for most young tobacco and weed users
Smoking is still involved for most young tobacco and weed users A new study found that most young Americans (12-34) use nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis products, but smoking those items remains a common method. The study, funded by the National Cancer Institute and NIH, analyzed data from 8,722 individuals who reported using these products in […]
🏥 Health
How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker
How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker C-reactive protein (CRP) has surpassed “bad” cholesterol as the leading heart disease risk marker, according to recent research and American College of Cardiology recommendations. CRP measures inflammation in the body, which plays a crucial role in the development and buildup of fatty plaque […]
🏥 Health
How one Florida program reduced preterm births – and how it could serve as a model for other communities
How one Florida program reduced preterm births – and how it could serve as a model for other communities Preterm birth is the second-leading cause of infant deaths in the US, affecting nearly 374,000 babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy in 2023. The Central Hillsborough Healthy Start program in Florida has reduced preterm births […]
🏥 Health
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