Saturated fats: good or bad?
A study review suggests that saturated fats may not be the big contributors to heart disease or early death that many think they are. According to the authors, current dietary guidelines suggest limiting saturated fats to less than 10 percent of total caloric intake. The team of Canadian researchers did find a link between heart troubles and trans fats, […]
Antibiotic resistance spreads
Antibiotic resistance is an increasing health concern. A growing number of germs no longer respond to the drugs made to kill them. Wrongfully prescribing antibiotics and poor infection control can cause drug resistance and put patients at risk for deadly diarrhea. Lack of coordination between facilities can put patients at increased risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) […]
Cyclospora infections
Cyclospora infections are currently under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal, state and local public health partners due to increasing infections. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a single-felled parasite which causes intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis (cyclospora). As of August 2015, the CDC reports 384 illnesses from 26 states. Clusters of illness have […]
School vaccinations
Vaccinations are increasingly important with back-to-school season approaching. From preschool to college, students need vaccinations to keep the entire community safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine-preventable diseases have become rare thanks to vaccinations. Vaccines protect from 14 diseases that can potentially be life-threatening. Not vaccinating can not only put […]
Fruit and vegetable intake
Based on an ongoing surveillance system, fruit and vegetable intake across America remains lower than the recommended portions. Fruit and vegetables not only adds valuable nutrients but also reduces the risk for heart disease, stroke, some cancers and helps manage body weight. The data is collected through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing, […]
Summer heat and diabetes care
When living with diabetes, it is important to maintain a care routine. However, summer weather, which brings high heat and severe storms, can interfere with your routine, making it more difficult for you to manage diabetes. Diabetes makes it more difficult to tolerate high heat and humidity. Temperatures above 80°F (around 27°C) can negatively affect […]
Pneumonia hospitalizations
Pneumonia hospitalizations are common in the U.S. but doctors are still not unable to determine the cause in most cases. According to the study, Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community (EPIC) published in the New England Journal of Medicine, neither viruses or bacteria are detected in most cases. The study examined three hospitals in Chicago and […]
WHO mental health initiative
World Health Organization recently published an article calling attention to a global deficiency of resources for mental health promotion. Despite the fact that 10 percentof the world’s population suffers from a mental health disorder, only 1 percent of the global health workforce is dedicated to mental health. According to numbers provided by WHO, approximately 80 percent […]
The dangers of sodium
Americans consume more sodium than the recommended amount which does not include table salt. Americans, two years and older, consume 3,500 mg of sodium per day compared to the recommended 2,300 mg. Too much sodium may cause high blood pressure. One in three U.S. adults, about 70 million people, have high blood pressure, and only […]
Minimum age for tobacco products
A majority of Americans agree on raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21, according to new data. These results are based off an online survey by Styles of U.S. adults 18 and over and were published by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Three out of 4 Americans agree to changing the minimum age […]
Salmonella Enteritidis linked to chicken products
Two outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis infections have been linked to raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned stuffed chicken entrees. The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, along with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are investigating. There have been seven […]
Heroin deaths quadruple
The Centers for Disease Control recently published a report titled Today’s Heroin Epidemic that calls attention to a sharp increase in heroin-related overdose deaths in the United States. According to the CDC, the number of deaths almost quadrupled between 2002 and 2013 and usage has increased across a number of demographics. Heroin use increased across […]