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American kids' health is in decline, and they're dying at disproportionate rates, sweeping new study says
PHILADELPHIA — American children today are dying at much higher rates than kids in similar countries. They’re also far more likely to suffer from a chronic disease than children in previous generations were.
That’s according to a new study from researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who dug through nearly two decades’...Read more

Environmental Nutrition: Cukes are cool!
True to their reputation, cucumbers are pretty cool.
The folklore
A favorite in summer gardens, cucumbers are made up of mostly water, which makes them literally “cool”-ing and hydrating in hot temperatures. They’re also “cool” in the popular sense. Cultivated around the world for more than 3,000 years, cucumbers have gained a ...Read more

‘I play pickleball in retirement.’ Is it HSA-eligible?
Chances are, you’ve heard of the Trump megabill that was recently signed into law. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill“ (OBBB) is garnering chatter and for good reason: A lot is included in the mega legislation.
But even though many provisions survived the bill’s initial proposal, several did not. For instance, under the originally ...Read more

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Lifespan vs. healthspan
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve been hearing a lot lately about healthspan versus lifespan when it comes to aging. What do they each mean? And what is the difference?
ANSWER: We get a lot of questions about what distinguishes between lifespan and healthspan. The simplest answer is to paraphrase a quote from President John F. Kennedy, “It is not ...Read more

Peach vs. nectarine: How do you tell the difference?
Stone fruits are a summer highlight, but sometimes this category of juicy produce can feel a bit muddled. Peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, and apricots are all in the same family, known for having a pit in the center and a fleshy exterior surrounding it, and just like any relatives, they can often look quite similar. Factor in varieties ...Read more

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?
Not such good news for butter lovers like myself: Seesawing research on how healthy or unhealthy butter might be received a firm push from a recent Harvard study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Drawing on decades of data gathered through long-term observational studies, the researchers investigated whether butter and plant oils affect ...Read more
Vaping's Secret Ingredient
Just like regular smoking tobacco, electronic cigarettes or vapes rely on nicotine as a primary draw. But there's another addictive ingredient too, especially aimed at younger users.
Neotame is an artificial sweetener 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than traditional sugar. A survey found neotame is used in all of 11 popular disposable vape ...Read more
'How am I going to do it?' A cardiologist helps nurses eat healthier and take better care of themselves
PITTSBURGH — Nurses are charged with other people's health, but they often do not prioritize their own.
The stresses of their jobs and difficulties inherent in rotating shift work may result in increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other long-term illnesses, multiple studies have shown.
"There's recognition that our nurses ... do not ...Read more

Doulas, once a luxury, are increasingly covered by Medicaid -- even in GOP states
As a postpartum doula, Dawn Oliver does her best work in the middle of the night.
During a typical shift, she shows up at her clients’ home at 10 p.m. She answers questions they may have about basic infant care and keeps an eye out for signs of postpartum depression.
After bedtime, she may feed the baby a bottle or wake the mother to ...Read more
Rosacea Symptoms Continue To Occur Amid Antibiotic Treatment
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 61-year-old male in excellent health. I do not drink alcohol. About four months ago, I noticed a dramatic change in my facial complexion. I developed an acne-like rash, primarily on my right cheek. I also developed two pretty large pimples, one under my left eye and one on my right check.
The dermatologist diagnosed ...Read more
Take your heart risks to heart
Don't take your heart health for granted! A review in the journal JACC looked at data on more than 14,000 participants, ages 30 to 79, in the decade-long National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers concluded that 20% of U.S. adults are at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years -- ...Read more

Deadly flesh-eating bacteria in Florida waters: Vibrio cases decline; danger persists
Four people in Florida have died this year from Vibrio vulnificus, a rare flesh-eating bacterium found in warm, brackish seawater, among 11 confirmed cases, according to state health officials.
CBS Miami reports the number is down from 2024, when infections peaked with 82 cases and 19 deaths. Health officials linked that spike to Hurricane ...Read more

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus detected in Atlanta: What can you do?
ATLANTA — Two mosquito traps in the Atlanta area recently tested positive for West Nile virus, public health officials said, prompting warnings about the potential health impacts as late summer approaches.
While cases are typically mild and not widespread, the state saw a spike in infections last year, which led to several deaths. The virus ...Read more

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Tips for summer water safety
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: We just moved to an area with a lot of opportunities for water recreation and are so excited about our first summer on the water. But we want to make sure everyone stays safe. Can you give us some pointers for water safety?
ANSWER: Nothing beats a day at the lake, river, beach or pool for fun, fitness, fishing and relaxation. ...Read more
What you eat can improve how well you sleep at night
You may never have heard of a sleep potato or a sleep pea, but they do exist, at least according to a new study published in Sleep Health. Researchers tracked the sleep patterns of 34 folks to see if what they ate during the day affected their nightly snooze. They found that those who ate the most fruits, vegetables and whole grains slept the ...Read more
Metformin Can Help All People, Not Just Diabetics, Lose Weight
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman who isn't prediabetic or diabetic. My BMI is 31.2. My doctor has prescribed a trial of metformin for weight loss as an alternative to starting Ozempic or one of the other weight-loss drugs. I have lost three pounds in a month, which is a start; exercise and healthier eating is also encouraged. What are ...Read more

How Trump's Medicaid work requirements could affect mental health care
For many people who have a serious mental illness or are recovering from one, trying to get or keep a job may be overwhelming and exhausting.
Finding out that you need a job in order to keep accessing your mental health care can feel insurmountable.
Yet that may soon be the case for nearly half a million Washington residents.
Under a new rule...Read more

Ask the Pediatrician: How reading can help prevent the summer slide
Summer vacation gives your child a much-needed break from school routines, which is important. But, at the same time, it can also result in what educators call the summer slide or "brain drain" — a learning gap that opens when kids spend long periods away from the classroom.
Not only can reading be a fun leisure activity, it can keep your ...Read more

How to talk to family and friends about a head and neck cancer diagnosis
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Talking to loved ones about a recent head and neck cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Of course, there is no one “right” or “wrong” way to handle these conversations — or adjusting to your life with cancer. Everyone has their own pace, preferences and relationship patterns. But taking the time to consider your ...Read more

Insurers fight state laws restricting surprise ambulance bills
Nicole Silva’s 4-year-old daughter was headed to a relative’s house near the southern Colorado town of La Jara when a vehicle T-boned the car she was riding in. A cascade of ambulance rides ensued — a ground ambulance to a local hospital, an air ambulance to Denver, and another ground ambulance to Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Silva’s...Read more