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 […]
Aetna to Buy Humana
Health insurance giants Aetna and Humana will grow even larger with a new, $37 billion deal. Aetna will acquire Humana after paying approximately $230 per Humana share and the rest of that $37 billion in cash. Just before the deal, Humana shares were $187.57, making the deal a 23% gain on share prices. Humana shareholders […]
California vaccination bill
On June 25th, California’s assembly voted to approve a bill that would end religious and personal belief exemptions from vaccinations for school children. To officially pass, Gov. Jerry Brown will have to sign off on the bill as well. The bill would make California the 32nd state to ban exemptions based on personal beliefs, but […]
Meningitis outbreak in Chicago
Six meningitis cases including a fatality have been reported in June alone in Illinois. Five of them in Chicago, according to a news release from the City of Chicago. Meningitis is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. One out of every 10 people are carriers for the bacteria and show no signs of illness. Meningitis is spread […]