States With Abortion Bans See More Infant Deaths

In the first 18 months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, most states with abortion bans saw a rise in infant deaths, new research reveals.

Two studies, published Feb. 13 in JAMA, show that states that enforced complete or near-total abortion bans after six weeks of pregnancy saw a 6% overall rise in infant death... Full Page

Igloo Recalls 1M Rolling Coolers Over Risk of Fingertip Amputations

Popular cooler brand Igloo has recalled more than 1 million rolling coolers due to serious fingertip injury risk.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the recall affects 90-quart Flip & Tow Rolling Coolers manufactured before January 2024. The recall was issued Feb. 13.

"The tow handle can pinch consumers&rsquo... Full Page

Do Steroid Shots Help Ease Back Pain? Experts Weigh In

There appears to be limited evidence supporting the use of epidural steroid injections for certain types of chronic lower back pain, new guidance from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) finds. 

Epidural steroid injections are treatments in which a steroid or corticosteroid medication is injected into the spine. 

In a s... Full Page

Americans Who’ve Become Caregivers Rose by a Third in 10 Years

A growing numbers of family members now provide care for older adults who live at home or in residential care settings, a new study shows.

Their ranks increased 32%, from 18.2 million to 24.1 million, between 2011 and 2022, according to new research in the journal Health Affairs.

The number of hours that these folks spent caring for ... Full Page

STI Testing at Home? Survey Finds Many Young People Are For It

When it comes to testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), many young adults prefer the privacy and convenience of at-home testing, a new survey suggests.

Fully 91% of survey participants aged 14-24 said they would use free STI self-collection kits, the survey showed. STI home kits involve collecting a urine sample or vagina... Full Page

Epstein-Barr Virus Might Help Trigger Cancer After Kidney Transplant

Key Takeaways

• Kidney transplant recipients who’ve never been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus but receive organs from a donor who has been may develop a rare and aggressive cancer

• As many as 1,200 patients a year could be at risk for that cancer, called post-transplant lymphoproliferative di... Full Page

Seniors, Could Working Later in Life Be Healthy?

Most people who are working after age 50 say staying on the job boosts their health and well-being, and those over 65 report the most benefit, a new University of Michigan poll finds.

The poll of 3,486 U.S. adults aged 50-94 found that 67% of those who continue to work report that their jobs have a positive impact on their physical health,... Full Page

Zoo Workers Battle Grief When Animals in Their Care Die

Zoo workers and volunteers often grieve when animals die, and zoo managers can do a better job of supporting them, a new study finds.

“Zoo professionals and volunteers frequently face significant emotional strain due to animal losses, yet structured organizational support for processing grief remains limited," lead author Nichole Nag... Full Page

Depression Can Speed Onset of Chronic Illnesses, Study Finds

Depression hits the whole body, speeding the onset of long-term physical ills as people age, new research contends.

“People who’ve experienced depression are more likely to develop long-term physical health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes," noted a team led by Kelly Fleetwood, a statistician at the University of E... Full Page

RFK Jr. Confirmed as Health Secretary in Near Party-Line Vote

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic and activist lawyer, was confirmed Thursday as the nation's new health secretary.

The Senate voted largely along party lines to put Kennedy at the helm of the $1.7 trillion U.S. Health and Human Services Agency.

In his new role, Kennedy will oversee 11 agencies including the U.S. Cente... Full Page

Belly Fat, Diabetes and Drinking Doubles Liver Disease Risk

If you've got a big belly, diabetes or high blood pressure, you may want to limit your alcohol, experts warn, as drinking could significantly raise your odds for serious liver disease.

The research, published recently in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that people with belly fat or diabetes who drink mo... Full Page

Experts Warn Marijuana Ads Are Reaching Kids Through Social Media

A legal loophole is allowing marijuana ads to slip past regulations and land right in front of kids on social media, a new report shows.

Although the federal Controlled Substances Act prohibits advertising the sale or use of marijuana through federal airwaves or across state lines, these rules haven’t stopped social media ads on cann... Full Page

Certain Birth Control Pills, Devices Linked to Higher Heart Risks

The most common formulation of birth control pills has been linked to a doubling of relative risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study finds.

Contraceptive vaginal rings and skin patches formulated in the same way were also linked to higher heart risks. 

Danish researchers stressed that the absolute risk to any one woman usin... Full Page

Ready for a Romantic Relationship? Your Friends' Opinions Matter

This Valentine's Day, are you ready for something real or still playing the field?

New research suggests your friends probably share similar notions about your readiness for lasting love.

Researchers at Michigan State University in East Lansing tracked data on nearly 800 young adults embedded in friend groups.  

Participan... Full Page

More Sunshine in Pregnancy, Infancy Could Benefit Kids With MS

Children who develop multiple sclerosis appear to fare better if they were exposed to safe amounts of summer sunshine as infants, new research shows.

If their moms got some summer sun while pregnant, that seemed to help, too, according to a study published Feb. 12 in the journal Neurology.

“It is important not to spend... Full Page