The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk from the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports confirm that children under five account for 39% of all cases in the country, and babies as young as two weeks are being...
Health
Marriage Strongly Associated with Optimal Health and Well-Being in Men as They Age
A new study that followed over 7,000 Canadians, middle-aged and older, for approximately three years found that married men or men who became married during the study period were twice as likely to age optimally compared to their never-married male peers. Among women, those who had never married were twice as likely to age optimally...
Two Thirds of Baby Foods in U.S. Grocery Stores Are Unhealthy, Study Shows
A staggering 60 percent of infant and toddler foods fail to meet nutritional recommendations, and none meet promotional requirements set by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to new research published today in the scientific journal Nutrients. 1 In the absence of US-specific nutrition or promotional guidelines for these foods, researchers at The George Institute for Global...
Humans Are Born to Run
The 2024 Summer Olympics are in full swing. One of the marquee events is of course the marathon, a grueling test of fitness and athleticism. When it comes to endurance running, humans are among the very top mammals in their athletic prowess. While we may not be the best sprinters in the animal kingdom, we...
More Black Americans Die from Effects of Air Pollution
Everyone knows that air pollution is bad for health, but how bad depends a lot on who you are. People of different races and ethnicities, education levels, locations and socioeconomic situations tend to be exposed to different degrees of air pollution. Even at the same exposure levels, people’s ability to cope with its effects —...
Digital Self-Harm Surges Among U.S. Teens from 2016 to 2021
Adolescents worldwide have embraced social media and online platforms for self-expression and to explore their identity. This freedom, however, can lead to risky behaviors, especially with limited adult supervision. For example, digital self-harm is a recent, emerging trend where individuals anonymously post or share hurtful content about themselves online. This behavior can be mistaken for...
Magic Mushrooms Are Most-Used Psychedelic Drug; As States Change Laws, Federal Policymakers Face Urgent Questions
Psilocybin mushrooms are the psychedelic substance most often used in the United States, with its popularity outpacing other psychedelic drugs such as MDMA (known as ecstasy), according to a new RAND report. Based on a new national survey, researchers found that about 12 percent of respondents reported using psilocybin at some point over their lives and...
FDA Authorized the Sale of Menthol-Flavored E-Cigarettes – a Health Policy Expert Explains How the Benefits May Outweigh the Risks
On June 21, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of the first electronic cigarette products in flavors other than tobacco in the U.S. Of the four new authorized products, two are sealed, prefilled pods with menthol flavored nicotine liquid that can be used in certain types of e-cigarettes. The other two...
‘Authentic’ Ayahuasca Rituals Sought by Tourists Often Ignore Indigenous Practices and Spiritual Grounding
Ayahuasca, a sacred drink made from the stem and leaves of a tree vine, has many names: psychedelic brew, hallucinogenic tea, mood medicine and more. It is even known as a teacher or a healer for its reported ability to help a person turn inward and come into alignment with past traumas. The plant and...
Genetic Testing Cannot Reveal the Gender of Your Baby − Two Genetic Counselors Explain the Complexities of Sex and Gender
Gender reveal parties are best known as celebrations involving pink and blue, cake and confetti, and the occasional wildfire. Along with being social media hits, gender reveals are a testament to how society is squeezing children into one of two predetermined gender boxes before they are even born. These parties are often based on the...