Diabetes Prevention Program Saves People Money, Study Shows

Preventing diabetes can be as good for a person’s wallet as it is for their health, a new study says.

People participating in a diabetes prevention program saved more than $5,000 in direct medical costs over two years, researchers reported recently in the journal Diabetes Care.

These prediabetic folks saved money by no...

Despite Previous Data, Paxlovid May Be Useful for Long Covid After All

The antiviral pill Paxlovid might help some patients who are suffering from long COVID.

A five-day course of Paxlovid is known to help limit symptoms and shorten illness in patients during an initial bout of COVID-19, researchers said in a study published Jan. 6 in the journal Nature Communications Medicine..

However, eviden...

More Evidence Bolsters the Oral Herpes and Alzheimer’s Link

That cold sore on your lip might be painful and unsightly, but it could also be a harbinger of debilitating brain aging.

The oral herpes virus appears to be linked with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that the common infection might play a role in the disease, a new study published in the journal Cell Reports says.

Her...

Health Advocates Are Unhappy with FDA Guidance on Lead Levels in Baby Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) released the first-ever guidelines for levels of lead in processed baby foods this week. However, many health and safety advocates say they are not satisfied with the guidance.

Under the FDA's new guidelines, baby food manufacturers should have no more than 10 parts per billion of lead in baby yogur...

FDA Calls for Better Accuracy of Pulse Oximeters in People of Color

Pulse oximeters -- those tiny devices that measure blood oxygen levels with a quick clip to your finger -- may soon get a major upgrade to ensure they work just as well for people of all skin tones.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidelines on Jan. 6 proposing that manufacturers conduct larger, more inclusive st...

Fluoride May Be Linked to Decreased IQ, Says "Limited Data," Hard-to-Interpret Study

Fluoride exposure appears to slightly decrease IQ scores in children, a new federal meta-analysis has concluded -- but not at the low levels recommended for U.S. drinking water.

Fluoride in drinking water was associated with reduced IQ scores at levels of less than 4 milligrams per liter, but not at less than 1.5 mg/L, according to the ana...

First U.S. Death From Bird Flu Reported in Louisiana

A Louisiana resident has died after being hospitalized with bird flu in December of last year, marking the first known U.S. death from the virus.

The patient who, "was over the age of 65 and was reported to have underlying medical conditions," state health officials announced in a statement, tested positive for the virus and developed seve...

Blood Test May Help Predict How Long Immunity Lasts

It’s long been a mystery why folks need a flu vaccine every year, even though immunizations they got in childhood continue to protect them from measles and mumps.

Researchers now think they know why vaccine effectiveness varies -- and they’ve even come up with a blood test to check a vaccine’s durability.

“Our...

DoxyPEP Lowers Rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Data Suggests

Worried about the risky sex you had last night?

Using a common antibiotic following sex can dramatically reduce a person’s risk of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a new study says.

Taking doxycycline within 72 hours after sex reduced risk of chlamydia by 79%, syphilis by 80%, and gonorrhea by 12%, results published...

Multilingual Children with Autism Show Improved Cognitive Function

Kids with autism who speak more than one language tend to have fewer symptoms from their disorder.

Being multilingual not only enhances their general cognitive abilities, but also helps them better control their daily thoughts and actions, researchers reported in a study published recently in the journal Autism Research.

The...

Access to Medical Test Results Is Confusing, Anxiety-Provoking

Patients have more access to their own medical test results than ever before, thanks to legislation requiring results be released as soon as they’re available.

But that’s not necessarily a good thing, a new study warns.

Many patients are reading test results in their electronic medical record before their doctor has had a...

Caregivers Face Mental, Physical Health Risks

More and more adults are stuck in the middle of their families, caring not only for their children but also for aging parents and other older family members.

The mental and physical health of these “sandwich carers” is more likely to deteriorate over time, a new study published in the journal Public Health says.

...

Interest In Permanent Contraception Rose After Roe v. Wade was Overturned

Abortion bans have led many young people to decide they’d rather forego having kids than ever face that dilemma.

A surge in permanent contraception immediately followed the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, researchers said in a new study published Jan. 6 in the journal Health Affairs.

Tubal ster...

U.S. Whooping Cough Cases Surge

Rates of whooping cough in the U.S. continue to climb, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Over 32,000 cases reported have been reported as of mid-December -- about six times more than there were at this time last year, and more than there have been since 2014, according to CNN.

Whooping cough, also known...

Brain Volume, Health Linked to Socioeconomic Status

Wealth could be related to brain health, a new study says.

People raised in poorer communities or nations appear to have brains more likely to shrink with age, as well as disrupted connectivity between brain regions related to memory and thinking, according to results published recently in the journal Nature Aging.

This puts...

Cruise Passenger Dies Amid Norovirus Outbreak That Sickened Dozens

A norovirus outbreak aboard the P&O Cruises’ Arcadia ship last fall left dozens of passengers confined to their cabins and is now linked to the death of a 77-year-old British passenger.

Alan Forster, a retired teacher from Paignton, England, fell sick with norovirus two weeks into the month-long voyage with his wife, and later di...

Early Physical Therapy Key for Concussion Recovery, Study Shows

Turns out, starting physical therapy earlier after a concussion may significantly improve recovery outcomes.

A new study published recently in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal followed just over 200 adults recovering from mild traumatic brain injuries, or concussions, who were within two to 12 weeks from their inj...

Dogs Can Help Detect, Remove Spotted Lantern Flies

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that can ruin grape, apple and hop crops and do terrible damage to maple and walnut trees.

Luckily, man’s best friend is on hand to help fight this insect foe, a new study published in the journal Ecosphere says.

Farmers and conservationists have trained dogs to sniff out lant...

The Heart Disease, Breast Cancer Link

Heart disease and cancer might seem completely unrelated, but these two top causes of death sometimes act in concert.

Women with heart disease appear to have a greater risk of aggressive breast cancer, according to a new study published Jan. 2 in JAMA Network Open.

In fact, women with advanced breast cancer were 10% more lik...

Psychedelics May Boost Mental Health of People with Cancer in Recovery

Mind-opening psychedelic drugs can provide a needed boost to people dealing with cancer or struggling with alcoholism, according to a pair of new studies from New York University.

One study found that psilocybin -- the active ingredient in magic mushrooms -- significantly reduced anxiety, depression, anger and other mental health problems ...