Health

Former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is set to testify publicly before a congressional committee on September 10 to answer questions about the high number of deaths in New York nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak. The announcement was made by the House Special Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Cuomo, who previously testified in a private session to the Republican-dominated panel, will now participate in a public hearing. This session aims to examine decisions made under his administration that likely impacted the well-being of thousands of people during the height of the pandemic. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a Republican from…

Attention to health and well-being – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against using at-home chemical peels without the guidance of a professional. This article explores the potential risks involved and shares expert advice on how to use these products safely. Laura Messina, a 43-year-old user, experienced severe skin irritation after using an over-the-counter chemical peel to reduce dark spots. Her ordeal included painful red spots that persisted for days, eventually requiring professional dermatological care to manage the adverse effects. Chemical peels are designed to exfoliate the skin by removing its outer layers, promoting cell renewal…

Healthcare Response to Drug Shortages – In response to the ongoing challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers in securing adequate supplies of ADHD medications, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced a strategic increase in manufacturing limits for Vyvanse, a leading stimulant medication. This move is intended to alleviate shortages that have affected countless individuals across the nation. This article delves into the details of the DEA’s recent policy adjustment, authorizing a 24 percent increase in the production of lisdexamfetamine, commonly known as Vyvanse. This change is intended to meet growing domestic and international demand for the drug, especially…

Recent data shows a significant decline in e-cigarette use among middle and high school students, reaching the lowest levels seen in a decade. The latest results from a national school survey conducted from January to May 2024 indicate that only about 8 percent of high school students have used e-cigarettes in the past month, a sharp decline from the 2019 peak. In 2019, the survey reported that 27% of high school students were vaping, marking a troubling trend in teen health behavior. The substantial decrease in numbers this year not only represents a decline from previous years, but also suggests…

A recent scientific study has uncovered a troubling link between disease-related declines in bat populations and rising infant mortality rates. The research highlights a chain reaction in which the decline in bats, natural predators of insects, has led farmers to increase their use of pesticides to protect crops, inadvertently impacting human health. The study, published in the journal Science, found that counties across the United States that experienced a decline in bat numbers saw a 31 percent increase in insecticide use. This increase in pesticide use correlated with an 8 percent increase in infant mortality in those regions. This research…

In the field of healthcare, especially orthopedic medicine, a growing problem is emerging as obesity rates rise along with related health problems such as arthritis. A significant challenge is presented to surgeons when their patients are obese, especially those with a high body mass index (BMI), complicating common surgeries such as joint replacements. Janet Daniels of Alexandria, VA, has struggled with obesity since childhood and now, at the point where both of her knees need to be replaced, she is repeatedly met with rejections from surgeons who deem the procedure too risky because of her weight. This not only impacts…