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23 Jun

U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Hit a 41 Year High

Drivers hit and killed at least 7,508 pedestrians in 2022, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. That’s a 77% increase since 2010.

16 Feb

The Last of Us: Is a Zombie Fungal Pandemic Science Fiction or a Real-Life Possibility?

Dr. Scott Roberts of Yale School of Medicine says cordyceps fungus exists in our world, but it’s not a threat to human health -- for now.

Health News Results - 1565

Hospitals in Ukraine Seeing Surge in Drug-Resistant Infections: CDC

As the war in the Ukraine rages on, new research shows that hospitals there are waging a battle of their own against a different kind of enemy: antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" that are spreading at an alarming rate.

In a study published Thursday by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, researchers from the CDC and Ukraine's health ministry tested 353 Ukrainian patients for ...

Wildfires Are Undoing Gains Made Against Air Pollution

Unhealthy air from wildfires is causing hundreds of additional deaths in the western United States every year, a new study claims.

Wildfires have undercut progress made in cleaning America’s air, and between 2000 and 2020 caused an increase of 670 premature deaths each year in the West, researchers report Dec. 4 in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.

“Our air is suppos...

Flu, COVID Cases Climb as RSV Infections Start to Level Off

MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2023 (Healthday News) -- While flu and COVID cases are now on the rise, RSV infections may soon peak and level off, U.S. health officials report.

COVID-19 continues to fuel the most hospitalizations and deaths among all respiratory illnesses — about 15,000 hospitalizations and about 1,000 deaths every week, Dr. ...

Respiratory Illnesses in China Not Caused by New Virus, CDC Director Testifies

FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) -- In testimony provided Thursday to members of Congress, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not being fueled by a new virus.

Instead, the spike can be linked to existing viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19, the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Mycop...

Bagged, Precut Onions Tied to Salmonella Illnesses in 22 States

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Federal regulators are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to packaged, diced onions that has sickened at least 73 people across 22 states.

Fifteen of the illnesses were so bad that people required hospitalization.

Gills Onions has already issued a recall for the products, which include diced yellow onions, diced onions and celery...

What Keeps Dr. Anthony Fauci Awake at Night

When the pandemic hit, Dr. Anthony Fauci saw his "worst nightmare" realized. Now, a different worry keeps him up at night: that humanity will forget the lessons learned.

That's the crux of a new editorial penned by Fauci, who became a household name in 2020 after quietly leading the U.S. National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades.

Those years saw ...

FDA Proposes Ban on Formaldehyde in Hair Straighteners Over Health Dangers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed a ban on the use of formaldehyde in hair relaxers over concerns about its link to respiratory problems and certain cancers.

Right now, the FDA only discourages u...

As Atrocities in Gaza and Israel Unfold, Psychiatrists Give Advice on Coping

Whether or not you have loved ones in the Middle East, the horrors of the violence and suffering in Israel and Gaza are heart-wrenching and difficult to bear.

“It's important to be informed, but don't stress yourself out," said Dr. Gary Small, chair of psych...

Use of Hair Relaxers Raises Women's Odds for Uterine Cancer

Older Black women who use chemical hair relaxers may be more likely to develop uterine cancer, new research suggests.

Specifically, postmenopausal Black women who reported using hair relaxers more than twice a year or for more than five years had more than a 50% increased risk of being diagnosed with uterine cancer compared to women who rarely or never used relaxers.

“Black women ...

Doctor's Group Pulls Paper on 'Excited Delirium,' Often Cited in Cases Involving Excessive Force by Police

A paper that has been used in court cases to justify excessive police force was withdrawn Thursday by the American College of Emergency Physicians, a prominent doctor's group.

The paper, published in 2009, was on a condition referred to as “excited delirium.”

“This [withdrawal] means if someone dies while being restrained in custody ... people can't point to excited delirium ...

Take These Steps to 'Fall-Proof' Your Home

The risk of falls increases in older age, and along with it, the risk for serious physical or psychological damage, but there are steps people can take to help prevent these accidents.

Each year, about 27% of adults 65 and older fall and about 10% of those are injured.

“If you've experienced a fall or have a fear of falling, you are at a higher risk of falling. Once an older adult...

FDA Adds Warning to Ozempic Label About Risk for Blocked Intestines

Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes drug that has increasingly been used to help with weight loss, will now be labeled as having the potential to block intestines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently made the label update for the drug made by ...

Tear Gas Might Harm a Woman's Reproductive Health

Researchers in Minnesota have uncovered a new link between tear gas exposures and negative effects on reproductive health.

The study was prompted by anecdotal reports of irregular menstrual cycles among protestors who were exposed to tear gas during the nationwide protests that followed the May 2020 murder of George Floyd.

“

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 25, 2023
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    • Kraft Cheese Slices Recalled Due to Plastic Wrap Choking Hazard

    Kraft Heinz said it is recalling over 83,000 packs of its Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices because of a packaging defect in the plastic that wraps the cheese slices.

    A temporary issue developed on one of the wrapping machines, making it possible for a thin strip of individual film to stay on the cheese slice after the wrapper is removed. Having this film on the cheese could ...

    Doctors Often Wary of Asking Patients About Guns in the Home

    It's an important health topic, but both adult patients and their primary care doctors shy away from discussing firearms and gun safety, a new survey finds.

    While they may discuss a variety of health risks, firearm safety isn't often one of them, the study from Michigan Medicine found.

    Of more than 500 adult patients who had regular checkups during a one-month period, about 56% bypa...

    Choking Hazard Spurs Recall of Bath Toys Sold at Target

    If you have a Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kit, a child's toy made by Buffalo Games and sold exclusively at Target, throw it out.

    The toy is being

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 15, 2023
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    • Red Cross Appeals for Donors During National Blood Shortage

    The American Red Cross said Monday that it urgently needs blood donations because the national blood supply has dropped nearly 25% since early August.

    Back-to-back climate-related disasters have hampered blood collection efforts, and a summer shortfall has made the shortage worse.

    Patients in need of transfusions as part of cancer and sickle cell disease treatments face the potentia...

    Anti-Vax Trend May Harm Pet Dogs, With Half of Owners Against Immunization

    Some people mistrust the safety and effectiveness of human vaccines for COVID-19 and other diseases, a fact that became abundantly clear during the pandemic.

    Now, a new survey of 2,200 dog owners shows this mistrust may often extend to canine vaccinations.

    The finding suggests there is spillover between the issues, with those who have negative feelings about human vaccines more lik...

    Booming Sales of Legal Marijuana Linked to More Car Crashes

    Emergency room visits for injuries related to driving under the influence of cannabis skyrocketed in Canada after the drug was legalized there, a new study reports.

    In October 2018, Canada became the second country to nationally legalize recreational or nonmedical cannabis for adult use.

    While known cannabis-involved emergency department (ED) visits for traffic injuries were still ...

    VA Hospitals See Steep, Steady Rise in Heat-Related Illnesses

    Heat domes and extreme heat waves have been battering the United States for years now, and a new study shows that increasing temperatures are doing real harm to humans.

    A significant increase in heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion has occurred during the past two decades among patients treated at U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) health facilities, VA researc...

    Warm Waters Raise Risk for Flesh-Eating Bacteria. Here's Tips to Stay Safe

    As waters warm across the United States and hurricanes and flooding season begins, the odds of being infected by flesh-eating bacteria are also rising, U.S. health officials warn.

    According to a Sept. 1 health alert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a dozen types of the bacteria called <...

    Counterfeit Pills Fuel Rising Number of Fatal Drug Overdoses

    A growing number of overdose deaths in the United States involve counterfeit pills, health officials reported Thursday.

    Overdose deaths involving counterfeit pills were twice as common in the latter half of 2021 as they were in the last six months of 2019, accounting for about 5% of overdose deaths, according to a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In West...

    Female Surgeons Bring Better Outcomes for Patients, Two Studies Show

    The field of surgery has long been dominated by men, and still is today.

    But two new studies show that if patients want safe, effective long-term results, picking a female surgeon might be key.

    In one study involving more than 1 million Canadian surgical patients whose outcomes were followed for a year, “those treated by a female surgeon were less likely to experience death, hospi...

    Nearing Retirement, America's Lower-Middle Class Faces Increasingly Bad Health

    The American middle-class squeeze has grown even worse in recent years, with many in the “forgotten middle” facing financial pressure and poor health as they near retirement age, a new study reports.

    Essentially, the U.S. middle class has split in two, and those relegated to the lower-middle are facing tough times in retirement, said lead researcher

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 24, 2023
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    • Don't Use Dr. Berne's and LightEyez Eye Drops Due to Bacteria, Fungus, FDA Says

    Tainted eye drops are back in the news, with federal regulators warning consumers not to use certain eye drops because of contamination concerns.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday

    Three Deaths Linked to Listeria-Tainted Milkshakes From Restaurant in Washington State

    A strain of listeria bacteria found in milkshakes at a restaurant in Washington state has been linked to six hospitalizations and three deaths.

    The milkshakes were sold at Frugals restaurant in Tacoma, Wash.

    Only the Tacoma site of Frugals, a small fast-food chain in Washington and Montana, appears to have been affected, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

    ...

    Ignore That New TikTok Trend: Eating Borax Is Dangerous

    Despite what you see on TikTok, don't consume the laundry powder borax to relieve pain and inflammation or boost bone health.

    Even though videos on the social media site tout it as a treatment, this substance is not safe to consume and could cause kidney failure and multi-organ damage, one expert says.

    Dr....

    Leprosy on the Rise in Florida: An Expert Answers Your Questions

    A wave of leprosy cases in Florida has led public health officials to conclude the disease-causing bacteria may be naturally found in the state.

    In the past, most people with leprosy in the United States had been first infected in some other country where it might be more common.

    But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 4, 2023
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    • Could Exposure to Lead Early in Life Raise Odds for Criminality Later?

    Being exposed to lead while in the womb or during early childhood may increase a person's chance of engaging in criminal behavior as an adult, a new review claims.

    To arrive at this conclusion, the review authors evaluated 17 previous studies that used varying methods to test for lead exposure, including blood, bones and teeth. They also addressed the effects of exposure at different ages...

    'Swine Flu' Strain Has Passed Between Humans & Pigs Hundreds of Times

    It's well known that some viruses make the leap from animals to humans, but a new study shows the influenza strain responsible for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic has been particularly prolific in hopping between species.

    That strain, called pdm09, has passed from humans to swine about 370 times since the pandemic, researchers report. Further, subsequent circulation in swine prompted the evolution...

    U.S. Study Takes a Closer Look at Mass Shootings

    The United States has more than 10 times the number of mass shootings than other developed countries, but the factors that account for these events are elusive.

    Now, new research suggests that stems from policy, environmental and socio-cultural factors.

    "I'm constantly asked, 'What is public health doing about the rise in mass shootings?" said researcher

  • Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 27, 2023
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    • Men's Use of Personal Care Products, and Chemicals They Contain, Has Doubled in 20 Years

    Men's use of personal care products has almost doubled since 2004, exposing them to some potentially harmful chemicals, a new study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) finds.

    Overall, the average American adult uses 12 personal care products a day that contain as many as 112 chemical ingredients. That's a change from the previous average of nine products with 126 unique...

    High Cadmium Levels Linked to Endometriosis

    Women are more likely to develop endometriosis if they have elevated levels of cadmium in their system, a new study reports.

    Twice as many women with slightly or moderately elevated levels of the toxic element wound up with endometriosis compared to women with the lowest levels, researchers say.

    “Although endometriosis is estimated to affect 1 in 10 women, the reason why this cond...

    Be Smart When Working Out in Steamy Summer Weather

    It's hot out there. If you're working out outdoors this summer, take precautions.

    “If you plan to exercise in the heat, know your fitness level, take frequent breaks, wear proper clothing, wear sunscreen, avoid hottest times of the day and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” said Melanie...

    Skin Lightening Products Carry Dangers, But Many Users Are Unaware of Risks: Study

    Using skin lightening products can be dangerous without a doctor's supervision because they may contain harmful ingredients.

    Still, nearly a quarter of people in a recent survey said they used the products not for a medical issue, but for overall skin lightening. It's an issue that relates back to colorism, the system of inequality that considers lighter skin more beautiful, researchers s...

    Triple-Digit Heat Wave a Danger to Those With Dementia

    As extreme heat continues to blanket numerous parts of the United States, Americans with dementia may be particularly challenged.

    “Triple-digit temperatures and heat indexes are especially dangerous for someone with a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer's disease, because the effects of dementia can impair their ability to notice if they are developing heat stroke or dehydra...

    WHO Experts Take Another Look at Aspartame's Safety

    The artificial sweetener aspartame is in the hot seat once more.

    Two separate committees made up of health experts from around the world will soon offer advice on consuming aspartame, a popular sugar substitute that is added to sodas, cough drops, desserts and gum.

    The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 30, 2023
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    • Danger Afoot: U.S. Pedestrian Deaths at Highest Level in 41 Years

    More than 7,500 people were killed last year after being struck by vehicles while walking along or across U.S. roadways — the most pedestrian deaths in more than four decades, according to a new report.

    This sobering trend was not surprising to experts who track the numbers. But they were dismayed by the consistent increase — up 77% since 2010.

    “This is unacceptable. It's real...

    Novo Nordisk Moves to Stop Businesses From Selling Compounded Versions of Wegovy, Ozempic

    The maker of three popular drugs that treat weight loss and diabetes said Tuesday that it has begun legal proceedings against businesses that are selling compounded versions of its products that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    In a sta...

    Gas Stove Chemical Tied to Higher Risk of Leukemia

    Using gas stoves can increase indoor air levels of benzene, a chemical linked to higher risk of leukemia and other blood cell cancers, a new study reports.

    Analysis of dozens of stoves revealed that a single gas cooktop burner on high or a gas oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit can raise indoor levels of benzene above those typically released by secondhand tobacco smoke, the researchers r...

    Pfizer Warns of Looming Shortage of Long-Acting Penicillin for Kids

    Pfizer Inc. warned doctors this week of an impending shortage of Bicillin, its long-acting, injectable form of penicillin.

    The medication is not commonly used for children because alternatives such as amoxicillin are preferred over the Bicillin shot, the company explained in a stat...

    Tips to Staying Cool in Extreme Heat

    Extreme heat can be dangerous, but you can stay cool and safe this summer if you take the right precautions.

    The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers some tips for doing so.

    “No matter your age, it is critical to be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illness,” said

    CDC Raises Alarm About Meningitis Threat to Patients Visiting Mexican Surgical Clinics

    U.S. health officials are urgently trying to reach people who've recently had medical procedures at clinics in Matamoros, Mexico, because they may be at risk of potentially fatal fungal meningitis.

    Those at risk had procedures done under epidural anesthesia between Jan. 1 and May 13 at River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3 in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, the U.S. Centers for Disease Contr...

    Move to 'Zero-Emission' Vehicles Would Save 90,000 U.S. Lives by 2050

    Consider yourself a lifesaver if you opt for an electric vehicle next time you buy or lease a new car.

    Electric cars can save millions of lives and reduce health care costs by improving air quality so people can breathe better and freer, according to a new report by the American Lung Association. Zero-emission electric vehicles don't emit exhaust gas or other pollutants into the atmospher...

    Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blackens Skies, Prompts Air Quality Alerts in Much of U.S.

    Wildfires that have been spreading throughout Canada in recent weeks are now spewing tons of smoke southward into the United States.

    The smoke was so thick on Tuesday that New York City's skyline could not be seen clearly and air quality alerts were issued to residents from parts of the N...

    How Good Is ChatGPT at Answering Tough Health Questions?

    Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT someday may make a big difference for people seeking answers to questions such as "How can I stop smoking?" They may even offer resources to someone who was sexually assaulted.

    But they're not quite there yet, a new study reveals.

    Researchers wanted to see how well ChatGPT performed for people seeking information and resources ...

    Chinese Company May Help Ease U.S. Shortage of Cancer Drug

    With the United States facing a high number of drug shortages, a Chinese company may help to boost the supply of one in particular, the chemotherapy agent cisplatin.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with the Chinese drugmaker Qilu Pharmaceutical to import the widely used cancer drug. The Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex will distribute the medication in 50-milli...

    FDA Warns Against Using Bogus Treatments for Skin Condition Molluscum

    It's tempting to treat little skin bumps on your own, but that delays proper diagnosis and treatment that may work better, federal regulators cautioned.

    Among the many types of skin conditions a person can contract are a virus called molluscum, which look like white, pink or flesh-colored bumps.

    Products marketed as treatments for molluscum have not been approved by the U.S. Food an...

    FDA Issues Warning About Compounded Versions of Wegovy, Ozempic

    Patients taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes or weight loss should be careful about where they're getting the medication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday.

    Shortages of the drug, ...

    Sick Restaurant Workers Fuel Many Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

    Providing sick leave to restaurant workers could help prevent the spread of foodborne illness because ill workers are key drivers of outbreaks at restaurants, a new government report shows.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data on Tuesday covering 800 outbreaks of foodborne illness at restaurants between 2017 and 2019.

    The cases were reported by 25 stat...

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