Many 'High-Risk' Americans Unconcerned About Skin Cancer: Poll

• Cara Murez
• June 18, 2021
• Full Page

It's long been known the sun's rays can cause skin cancer.

But a new poll shows that only about 30% of American adults say they're concerned about developing skin cancer — even though nearly 70% have at least one risk factor for the disease.

The American Academy ...

Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Do No Harm to Male Fertility: Study

• Robert Preidt
• June 17, 2021
• Full Page

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines pose no threat to male fertility, a finding experts hope will prompt more men to get vaccinated.

Researchers noted that the original clinical trials of the two mRNA vaccines didn't assess how they might affect fertility.

"Vacci...

Hand Sanitizer Vapors Can Cause Nausea, Dizziness

• Robert Preidt
• June 17, 2021
• Full Page

The coronavirus pandemic has had an unexpected side effect -- a wave of bad reactions to alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Vapors from the products can cause headache, nausea and dizziness, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which advises consumers to use ...

How Healthy Are the New Plant-Based 'Fake Meats'?

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• June 17, 2021
• Full Page

More and more Americans are seeking out healthier, greener and more ethical alternatives to meat, but are plant-based alternatives like the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat truly nutritious substitutes?

The answer is yes, according to new research funded by the U.S. Nat...

Pandemic Silver Lining: Fewer Dangerous Flare-Ups for COPD Patients

• Cara Murez
• June 16, 2021
• Full Page

Public health precautions meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19 may have had an unintended but happy side effect.

They may also have benefited individuals who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

During the pandemic, admissi...

Third Dose of COVID Vaccine Boosts Protection in Transplant Recipients

• Robert Preidt
• June 15, 2021
• Full Page

Researchers say an extra dose of two-dose COVID-19 vaccines may improve immune system protection for organ transplant patients, a group that's so far responded poorly to two-dose vaccines.

"Our findings suggest clinical trials are warranted to determine if transplant rec...

Almost All U.S. Physicians Have Gotten a COVID Vaccine

• Cara Murez
• June 15, 2021
• Full Page

While COVID-19 vaccination rates may lag among some groups, that's not the case for practicing physicians in the United States.

More than 96% are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with no significant difference in vaccination rates across regions, according to a new su...

Gun Suicides Are Rising Steeply Among American Youth

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• June 14, 2021
• Full Page

A rising number of young Americans, including children, are taking their own lives using firearms, a new study finds.

Researchers found that between 2008 and 2018, gun suicides showed an "alarming" increase among Americans aged 5 to 24. And while those suicides remain ra...

Babies Produce Strong Immune Response to Ward Off COVID-19: Study

• Robert Preidt
• June 14, 2021
• Full Page

British researchers report that babies have a strong immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19, based on a new, small study.

For the research, the investigators assessed the immune systems of four infants under 3 months of age who had recovered from COVID, and c...

There Are Many Good Reasons for Kids to Get the COVID Vaccine

• Robert Preidt
• June 14, 2021
• Full Page

Parents need to know that COVID-19 shots are safe and effective for kids age 12 and older, an expert says.

While the Pfizer vaccine is approved in the United States for emergency use in this age group, parents may need reassurance, said Dr. Jessica Ericson, an infectious...

Obesity Could Raise Odds for 'Long-Haul' COVID Symptoms

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• June 11, 2021
• Full Page

If you're obese, you're far more likely to have long-lasting health issues if you get COVID-19 and survive, a new study warns.

You are more likely than patients who aren't obese to be hospitalized. You're more likely wind up in the intensive care unit, need to be put on ...

Will People Really Need a Yearly COVID Booster Vaccine?

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• June 11, 2021
• Full Page

As the number of people fully immunized against COVID-19 rises into the hundreds of millions, immunologists and infectious disease experts now are pondering a new question in the unfolding pandemic.

Namely, how long will vaccine immunity last, and will people who've gott...

Colds, Bronchitis Cases Resurged After Texas Eased COVID Rules

• Cara Murez
• June 9, 2021
• Full Page

After Texas relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, other respiratory illnesses -- such as colds, bronchitis and pneumonia -- made rapid rebounds.

Pathologists from Houston Methodist Hospital found that the rhinovirus and enterovirus infections that can trigger these illnesses st...

Death Rates Are Rising Across Rural America

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• June 8, 2021
• Full Page

In rural America, more people die from chronic health conditions and substance abuse than in suburbs and cities, and the gap is widening.

Researchers report in a new study that the difference in rural and urban death rates tripled over the past 20 years mostly due to dea...

Real-World Study Shows Power of Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines to Prevent COVID

• Robert Preidt
• June 8, 2021
• Full Page

A real-world study shows that even when folks who get the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines do have 'breakthrough' infections, those illnesses are mild.

The study, from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is among the first to show that...

Think You Can Skip That Annual Physical?  Think Again

• June 8, 2021
• Full Page

Despite calls from some leading health experts to scrap annual physicals because they are a waste of time and money, a new study finds advantages to routine screenings.

"While it is disappointing that I can't tell my patients a visit with me or my colleagues will help th...

Girl's Tragedy Has Parents Calling for Changes to Car Design

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• June 8, 2021
• Full Page

Jay-Fay Fraser was in the back seat of her father's sedan, heading home from feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving 2016, when another car rear-ended them on the highway.

The driver's seat collapsed backward from the sudden force of the rear impact, slamming into Jay-Fay's...

'Historic' Decision Expected on U.S. Approval of Alzheimer's Drug

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• June 7, 2021
• Full Page

The first drug ever shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease could be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday, but experts say that approval will be surrounded by controversy.

In clinical trials, aducanumab showed a 22% reduction in the de...

New Disabilities Plague Half of COVID Survivors After Hospital Discharge

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• June 7, 2021
• Full Page

People hospitalized for COVID-19 are often discharged in much worse shape than before their illness - underscoring the value of preventing severe cases with vaccination.

In a new study, researchers found that during the pandemic's early months, almost half of COVID-19 pa...

Your Doctor Appointments Might Look Different Post-Pandemic

• June 6, 2021
• Full Page

If it's been a while since you've seen your doctor, it may be time to schedule a visit to catch up on preventive health screenings or discuss any health concerns and chronic medical conditions.

During the 15 months since people began quarantining, many have avoide...

Summer Water Fun Can Bring Drowning Risks: Stay Safe

• June 5, 2021
• Full Page

As you seek to cool down in a pool or at the beach this summer, always keep water safety for yourself and others in mind, an expert urges.

"With children, I always recommend starting swim lessons at an early age and having parents put on floaties or life vests on their c...

Teens: You Got Your COVID Vaccine, What Now?

• Robert Preidt
• June 4, 2021
• Full Page

U.S. teens are getting their COVID shots -- how does that change their daily lives?

Besides letting teens resume many of their normal activities, U.S. authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people as young as 12 is crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavir...

Pandemic Silver Lining: Global Decline in Urban Crime

• Robert Preidt
• June 3, 2021
• Full Page

COVID-19 lockdowns had at least one welcome upside: a significant drop in crime in cities worldwide, according to an international study.

Researchers analyzed crime data from 27 metro areas (including Chicago; London; Sao Paulo; Barcelona, Spain; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Br...

NIH Starts Trial Assessing 'Mix & Match' COVID Vaccine Approach

• Robert Preidt
• June 2, 2021
• Full Page

Moderna plus Pfizer? J&J plus Moderna? There's a new clinical trial underway to assess the safety and effectiveness of mixing different types of booster shots in adults who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Although the vaccines currently authorized by the ...

U.S. Blood Supply Is Safe From Coronavirus, Study Finds

• Robert Preidt
• June 1, 2021
• Full Page

COVID-19 does not pose a threat to the safety of the United States' blood supply under existing donor screening guidelines, researchers report.

For the study, the investigators reviewed the results of tests for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in nearly 18,000 pools of donated...

Do You Live in a U.S. Opioid OD Hotspot?

• Robert Preidt
• June 1, 2021
• Full Page

The United States has more than two dozen regional hotspots for opioid overdose deaths, according to researchers who also found a link between fatal overdoses and mental distress.

Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee have the highest percent...

Boaters and Drivers, Stay Alcohol-Free This Memorial Day Weekend

• May 29, 2021
• Full Page

It's the first holiday since the pandemic began where Americans can mingle without masks if they are fully vaccinated, so celebrations are in order. But folks still need to avoid alcohol if they're driving or boating over the Memorial Day weekend.

"This Memorial Day week...

Debunking Myths That Have Some Parents Resisting COVID Vaccines for Teens

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• May 28, 2021
• Full Page

Many health experts hailed the recent approval of the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15, but some parents have been hesitant to take their kids in for a shot.

"Parents naturally worry more about their children than they do about themselves -- I think that's parentin...

Another Study Finds Routine Vaccines Safe for Kids, Adults

• Robert Preidt
• May 28, 2021
• Full Page

If more proof of the safety of vaccines is needed, a new study delivers fresh evidence that they carry few harms for children, adults and pregnant women.

"This in-depth analysis found no evidence of increased risk of serious adverse events following vaccines, apart from ...

Your City Has Its Own Microbial 'Signature,' Scientists Say

• Robert Preidt
• May 27, 2021
• Full Page

Each city has its individual mix of tell-tale microbes, new research shows.

"If you gave me your shoe, I could tell you with about 90% accuracy the city in the world from which you came," said study senior author Christopher Mason, director of the WorldQuant Initiative f...

In 10 Years, COVID-19 Could Be 'Just the Sniffles'

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• May 25, 2021
• Full Page

The virus fueling the COVID-19 pandemic could become just an ordinary sniffle-causing nuisance within the next 10 years, a new study suggests.

Researchers stressed that the projection is based on mathematical models, and not a crystal-ball prediction.

But, they say...

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Highly Effective in Kids 12 and Older

• Robert Preidt and Robin Foster
• May 25, 2021
• Full Page

Moderna's coronavirus vaccine fully protects children aged 12 to 17, the company announced Tuesday.

In a clinical trial that included more than 3,700 young volunteers, there were no cases of symptomatic COVID-19 infection in the two-thirds of participants who received bo...

Poison Centers Warn Against Gas Siphoning

• May 22, 2021
• Full Page

A rash of gasoline-related poisoning calls has led U.S. poison experts to warn against gas siphoning.

Gasoline hoarding and siphoning in some East Coast states has led to a significant increase in gasoline-related emergencies, the Association of Poison Control Centers sa...

In Newly Discovered Case, a Coronavirus Has Jumped From Dog to Human

• Robert Preidt
• May 20, 2021
• Full Page

A new coronavirus that appears to have jumped from a dog to a child has been discovered from a case three years ago, but it's unclear what threat it may pose.

This new canine-like coronavirus was found in a child in Malaysia in 2018. If it is confirmed as a human pathoge...

Biggest Reason Teens Injure Their Spines: Not Wearing Seat Belts

• Robert Preidt
• May 20, 2021
• Full Page

Two-thirds of spinal fractures suffered by American children and teens occur in car crashes when they aren't wearing seat belts, a new study finds.

Researchers analyzed data on more than 34,500 U.S. patients younger than 18 who suffered spinal fractures between 2009 and ...

Post-COVID PTSD? Many Find Return to 'Normal' Unsettling

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• May 17, 2021
• Full Page

Many Americans felt relief and joy at the announcement last week that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks at many indoor and outdoor locations.

But don't be surprised if those good feelings come tinged with stress or worry: Mental health experts said in ...

Should There Be 'Gun Retirement' for the Elderly?

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• May 17, 2021
• Full Page

Just as some elderly drivers need to give up their car keys, older gun owners may eventually face "firearm retirement." And a preliminary study suggests they are open to the idea.

In focus-group interviews with older gun owners, researchers found that many had considered...

Odds of Catching COVID at Dentist's Office Very Low: Study

• Steven Reinberg
• May 17, 2021
• Full Page

Do yon need to have your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled?

Go ahead.

Dental treatment won't put you at risk for contracting COVID-19, a new study affirms.

"Getting your teeth cleaned does not increase your risk for COVID-19 infection any more than drink...

Is Your Family 'CO Safe' When Big Storms Hit?

• May 15, 2021
• Full Page

If you live in the path of hurricanes , the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging you to be prepared.

Deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, fires and electric shock are common during severe weather events, according to the CPSC.

Hurricane s...

Dialysis Patients Have Weaker Response to COVID Vaccine: Study

• Steven Reinberg
• May 14, 2021
• Full Page

A single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine isn't enough to develop adequate antibodies in kidney dialysis patients, Canadian researchers report.

"We advise that the second dose of the [Pfizer] vaccine be administered to patients receiving hemodialysis at the recommended 3-week ...

Debunking Social Media Myth, Study Finds COVID Vaccine Won't Harm Placenta

• Steven Reinberg
• May 12, 2021
• Full Page

Contrary to misleading reports spread on social media, a new study finds the COVID-19 vaccine does no damage to the placenta in pregnancy.

In a study of placentas from patients who were vaccinated for COVID-19 during pregnancy, researchers found no evidence of any harm....

Rural U.S. Schools Are Bringing Back In-Person Learning Faster Than Urban Schools

• Steven Reinberg
• May 12, 2021
• Full Page

Rural school districts in the United States have led the way back to in-person instruction during the pandemic, a survey of school leaders finds.

About 42% of rural school districts were fully back to in-school learning by February, compared with 17% of urban districts, ...

Meat Production Is Dirtying the Air You Breathe

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• May 11, 2021
• Full Page

Steaks and burgers could be killing thousands of Americans each year, but in a way most people wouldn't expect -- via air pollution.

That's the conclusion of a new study estimating that airborne particles generated by food production kill nearly 16,000 Americans each yea...

Alcohol Is No Friend to Social Distancing

• Robert Preidt
• May 11, 2021
• Full Page

Maintaining adequate social distance from strangers -- a key COVID-19 preventive measure -- can be tough when you're drinking alcohol, researchers say.

In a new study, the researchers put more than 200 young social drinkers in different social situations in laboratory se...

Reviews Find No Evidence Weight-Loss Supplements Work

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• May 10, 2021
• Full Page

You're getting no real benefit from taking weight-loss supplements like garcinia cambogia, green tea extract, glucomannan, conjugated linoleic acid or chitosan, two new reviews show.

Most of the clinical trials studied didn't show these supplements producing any weight l...

Lockdown Loneliness Making Things Even Tougher for Cancer Patients

• Robert Preidt
• May 10, 2021
• Full Page

Fighting cancer can be a lonely battle, and new research shows that the coronavirus pandemic has made the experience even more isolating.

Studies conducted before the pandemic found that 32% to 47% of cancer patients were lonely, but in late May of 2020 roughly 53% of 60...

Why Do Dogs Bark & Bite? Fear May Be Key

• Robert Preidt
• May 7, 2021
• Full Page

That growling dog may actually be terrified of you.

Fear and age-related pain are among the reasons why dogs are aggressive toward people, a new study suggests.

The findings could help two-legged folks better understand and prevent aggressive behavior, such as grow...

'BPA-Free' Bottles Might Need a Run Through Your Dishwasher First

• Robert Preidt
• May 7, 2021
• Full Page

It's a good idea to run drinking bottles you think are BPA-free through the dishwasher several times before using them, a new study suggests.

University of Cincinnati researchers found that some supposedly BPA-free water bottles contain traces of the chemical, which is b...

Israel Study: Pfizer Vaccine Gives 95% Protection Against Illness, Hospitalization & Death

• Robert Preidt
• May 6, 2021
• Full Page

Two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provide a high level of protection for populations, a new study shows.

The findings from Israel -- the first nation to report national data on the vaccine -- show that two doses provide more than 95% protection for people...

Many Consumers Misunderstand Those 'Best Before' Food Labels

• Cara Murez
• May 6, 2021
• Full Page

People may think they know what 'Best before' food date labels mean, but a new study reveals that many consumers misunderstand them.

The study of over 2,600 U.S. adults "showed that an overwhelming majority of consumers say that they use food date labels to make decision...