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Read More about HIV rates rising: Could new forms of PrEP help?

HIV rates rising: Could new forms of PrEP help?

Published June 18, 2021

Last year, approximately 1.7 million new HIV infections occurred worldwide, and rates of infection are also rising in parts of the US. While a daily pill known as PrEP can help prevent HIV, two new formulations could make it easier for a broader range of at-risk people to use.
Read More about Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health

Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health

Published June 17, 2021

A news story about a worrisome or life-threatening ailment might get you thinking about your own health, especially if you happen to have some of the same symptoms. But dramatic or unusual medical stories can bias your thinking and even negatively affect your health decision-making.
Read More about Post-pandemic weight loss: There’s an app for that

Post-pandemic weight loss: There’s an app for that

Published June 16, 2021

There are a myriad of apps and programs designed to help people lose weight, but many companies are offering products that go beyond traditional food tracking, taking a mindfulness-based approach to help people understand why they eat the way they do, and how to make beneficial changes to their eating routine.

Read More about Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia by telemedicine: Is it as good as in-person treatment?

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia by telemedicine: Is it as good as in-person treatment?

Published June 15, 2021

Chronic insomnia affects between 10% and 15% of adults in the US. A specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of insomnia is becoming more accessible because it can be delivered remotely. A recent study investigated how this therapy delivered via telemedicine compared to the same form of therapy delivered in person.
Read More about Prediabetes diagnosis as an older adult: What does it really mean?

Prediabetes diagnosis as an older adult: What does it really mean?

Published June 14, 2021

Prediabetes often precedes the development of type 2 diabetes, and in young and middle-aged people it’s important to identify prediabetes because it may be possible to prevent or delay the development of diabetes. Researchers wanted to know if the implications of being diagnosed with prediabetes are similar for older adults.

Read More about Is blood sugar monitoring without diabetes worthwhile?

Is blood sugar monitoring without diabetes worthwhile?

Published June 11, 2021

Implantable blood sugar monitoring devices known as CGMs have revolutionized care for millions of people with diabetes. Now several companies are marketing them for people without diabetes to monitor blood sugar levels –– but is there any evidence for health benefits?

Read More about Large review study finds low risk of erectile dysfunction after prostate biopsy

Large review study finds low risk of erectile dysfunction after prostate biopsy

Published June 10, 2021

Prostate cancer biopsies have a low risk of side effects, but some men do experience sexual dysfunction after the procedure. But a large review of sdudies has found that these issues usually resolve within one to three months.
Read More about Does exercise help protect against severe COVID-19?

Does exercise help protect against severe COVID-19?

Published June 09, 2021

A study examining data from a large health care provider on more than 48,000 people who had COVID-19 found that those were consistently inactive had a significantly higher risk of hospitalization or death, while those who engaged in more than 10 minutes of activity per week had some protection against severe illness or death, and people who were active for at least 150 minutes per week had the most protection.
Read More about A new Alzheimer’s drug has been approved. But should you take it?

A new Alzheimer’s drug has been approved. But should you take it?

Published June 08, 2021

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to the first new drug in nearly two decades for Alzheimer’s disease. But there are potential side effects, and results of studies of this drug have been mixed. It is not yet known whether the drug truly works, or how effective it will be, so the approval is contingent on the drug’s maker conducting further studies over the next several years.
Read More about Need physical therapy? 3 key questions your PT will ask

Need physical therapy? 3 key questions your PT will ask

Published June 07, 2021

Physical therapy can be helpful if you have an injury or a condition that affects mobility or is causing pain. But before you embark on a course of treatment, your physical therapist will ask crucial questions that will help shape your program.
Read More about COVID-19 vaccines: Safe and effective for American Indian and Alaskan Native communities

COVID-19 vaccines: Safe and effective for American Indian and Alaskan Native communities

Published June 04, 2021

Concerns circulating about the effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, compared to the other available vaccines for COVID-19, have been answered by responses from medical professionals within the Indigenous population, as well as by statistics showing that all three vaccines are safe and effective in people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.
Read More about Should we track all breakthrough cases of COVID-19?

Should we track all breakthrough cases of COVID-19?

Published June 03, 2021

Despite the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, a small number of people develop cases even after being fully vaccinated. Most of these "breakthrough" cases are mild or moderate, and the CDC has decided to track only the ones that require hospitalization, which has disadvantages.
Read More about Period equity: What is it, why does it matter?

Period equity: What is it, why does it matter?

Published June 01, 2021

Menstruation is a basic fact of human existence, yet millions of people in the US struggle to afford –– or can’t afford –– products like tampons and pads, a problem known as period poverty. Menstrual hygiene products are necessities, not luxuries, and period equity addresses this.
Read More about Common questions about medical cannabis

Common questions about medical cannabis

Published May 28, 2021

While cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, more than two-thirds of US states have made it partly or fully legal for medical purposes. People who decide to use marijuana for a medical condition often have questions about its safety and proper use — the same considerations doctors weigh when determining whether it should be prescribed for a particular patient.
Read More about Mouth-watering summer fruits and vegetables to fill your plate

Mouth-watering summer fruits and vegetables to fill your plate

Published May 27, 2021

Summer is the perfect time to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your meals. Packed with health-promoting nutrients, many can be prepared without needing to use your stove or oven. And there are lots of ways to use them besides just making salads.
Read More about Pregnancy problems may predict heart health decades later

Pregnancy problems may predict heart health decades later

Published May 26, 2021

Growing evidence suggests women who experience certain health complications during pregnancy face a higher risk for cardiovascular disease later in life, such as heart attack and narrowing arteries. Lifestyle changes can help.
Read More about The pandemic isn’t over — particularly for people with disabilities

The pandemic isn’t over — particularly for people with disabilities

Published May 25, 2021

While the pandemic has disrupted everyone’s lives, its effects on the lives of people with disabilities are especially evident. And COVID-19 may pose a greater risk to some people with intellectual and physical disabilities, though this may depend on a variety of factors.
Read More about Sleep to solve a problem

Sleep to solve a problem

Published May 24, 2021

Are you the sort of person who gets into bed and fixates on a problem or an interaction you may have had that day? It's better to let your thoughts go and try to fall asleep — even though that might not be easy — because our brains are made to process and synthesize information while we are sleeping.
Read More about Sickle cell disease: Ways to help teens and parents

Sickle cell disease: Ways to help teens and parents

Published May 21, 2021

Children with sickle cell disease are at higher risk for many health problems and possible complications get more serious as children grow into adults. Here are ways for parents to support teens with SCD in learning to take care of themselves.
Read More about Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?

Published May 19, 2021

Several heavily-advertised products that are applied to the skin claim to relieve muscle or joint pain, but are not regulated by the FDA, and none of them offers any solid scientific evidence to back up their claims. So are they worth trying?

Read More about Resistance bands: 3 great ways to build upper body strength

Resistance bands: 3 great ways to build upper body strength

Published May 18, 2021

Resistance bands don’t look impressive, but they work muscles in different ways than other pieces of strength-building equipment. The bands offer varying levels of resistance, can be used to strengthen a variety of muscle groups, and may be easier to use for some people.
Read More about American Heart Association issues statement on cardiovascular side effects from hormonal therapy for prostate cancer

American Heart Association issues statement on cardiovascular side effects from hormonal therapy for prostate cancer

Published May 18, 2021

The American Heart Association issued a statement addressing cardiovascular risks from hormonal therapy for prostate cancer, emphasizing the need to identify men with pre-existing cardiac risk factors or a family history of cardiovascular diseases who should be monitored closely during treatment.
Read More about More movement, better memory

More movement, better memory

Published May 17, 2021

Regular exercise is known to boost cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. This protection occurs because the hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory) is especially sensitive to the effects of exercise. A study investigated whether older adults who participated in an exercise program could improve nerve connections in their brains.
Read More about Improving access to hearing aids

Improving access to hearing aids

Updated May 14, 2021

Many people who need hearing aids do not have them, and while there are a variety of reasons for this, cost is a significant factor for many people. The US government is in the process of establishing regulations for the over-the-counter sale of hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, which should help to make them easier and less expensive to obtain.
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