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☆ A hacker got 6 years in prison for stealing therapy notes and blackmailing patients
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hacker Aleksanteri 'Julius' Kivimäki was sentenced to over six years in prison. He was found guilty of hacking a therapy company to steal notes and blackmail thousands of patients. AdvertisementA Finnish hacker has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after he was found guilty of stealing confidential therapy notes to blackmail thousands of patients. According to BBC News, Kivimäki demanded a ransom of more than 400,000 euros, or $426,818, from the therapy company in 2020. A trove of confidential information then surfaced on the dark web, including patients' personal details, Social Security numbers, and sensitive therapist and doctor notes from sessions.

Persons: Hacker Aleksanteri, Julius, Kivimäki, —, Aleksanteri Organizations: Service, Western Uusimaa, BBC News, Associated Press, AP, BBC, National Bureau of Investigation, Health Technology, Informatics, US Department of Health, Human Services Locations: Nordic, France, Finland, bitcoin, Brunswick

☆ Opinion: The next pandemic threat demands action now
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Opinion Jaime M. Yassif | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Well, so far US officials are saying they believe there is minimal risk to the public from the latest iteration of bird flu. According to the Global Health Security Index, there are significant gaps in countries’ pandemic preparedness capabilities. Given the impact of Covid, it is deeply disappointing that national governments are not investing the necessary resources to build life-saving pandemic preparedness capacity. Making matters worse, Congress has made major cuts to pandemic preparedness funding, as part of the ongoing appropriations process. Playing the long game also means supporting the World Bank Pandemic Fund, which is designed to invest in long-term pandemic preparedness capacity of low- and middle-income countries.

Persons: Jaime M, Yassif, ”, —, we’ve, US Department of Agriculture —, It’s, Biden, Covid Organizations: Global Biological Policy, Nuclear Threat Initiative, CNN, Yassif Nuclear, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, US Department of Health, Human Services, CDC, US Department of Agriculture, Global Health, Brown, Pandemic Center, Gates Foundation, NTI, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Global Health Security, Bank, Fund, pandemics Locations: Texas , Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Covid, United States

☆ Emergency medical bills worry Americans — and it could affect the presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementMost Americans worry they won't be able to pay expensive medical bills if they experience an emergency, and it's impacting their economic outlook. Voters also identified prescription drug prices, out-of-pocket medical costs, and The Affordable Care Act as priorities for how they will vote in the 2024 election. Over 70% of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents answered that general healthcare costs are their main financial stressor. AdvertisementTrump has been vocal about his plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act should he win reelection. Still, KFF found that seven in 10 Republican voters don't think Trump has an alternate affordable healthcare plan.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Donald Trump —, Biden, Trump, Roe, Wade, Barack Obama —, KFF, Nikki Haley, Haley Organizations: Service, KFF, Kaiser Family Foundation, Affordable, Republicans, Independents, Medicare, Services, Democratic, US Department of Health, Human Services, Trump, Republican, Biden

☆ Child care benefits at work: Employers are increasingly offering resources to parents with daycare needs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And among those that do, less than a third selected any single benefit such as subsidized child care services (11%), child care referrals and consultations (28%); and back up child care (26%), which gives parents access to a daycare center or babysitter when their usual child care arrangements fall through on a given day. Among those, 37% offer access to backup child care, 16% subsidize child care and 10% provide onsite child care. Among respondents who said they were thinking of quitting their jobs, 41% said their compensation was not high enough to cover child care costs, and 30% said they didn’t have adequate child care. An onsite child care center like one from Bright Horizons can provide licensed and trained care providers and well-qualified early education teachers. Other options to ease working parents’ experienceFor many employers, though, an onsite child care center may be tough to swing.

Persons: ”, Jessica Chang, “ Covid, ” Chang, Mercer, It’s, We’ve, Stephen Kraemer, Kraemer, hadn’t, Carmen Perez, Perez, Seda, Chang Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Department of Labor, US Department of Health, Human Services, Century Foundation, “ Employers, Adecco Group, Bright Locations: New York, United States, California

☆ How a new surveillance method is identifying more cases of Lyme disease in the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

But this sharp increase “likely reflects changes in surveillance methods rather than change in disease risk,” according to the CDC. The vast majority of Lyme disease cases in the US are reported from just over a dozen jurisdictions in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and upper-Midwest where ticks are particularly prevalent. Despite the significant spike, the number Lyme disease cases that are reported to the CDC is just a fraction of the estimated number of total cases. There are about 476,000 estimated diagnoses of Lyme disease in the US each year – nearly eight times more than even the improved surveillance methods captured in 2022. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US, along with Zika virus, West Nile virus, dengue, malaria, plague, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and alpha-gal syndrome.

Persons: Lyme, –, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, of State, Territorial, Get CNN, CNN Health, US Department of Health, Human Services, HHS Locations: United States, Northeast, Lyme

☆ A Gen Z diabetic said a 3-month supply of insulin pumps would cost her $1,800 — even with insurance
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

However, others, like 25-year-old Cochrin, are still seeking some relief for the costs of insulin and other necessary diabetes tools, like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. While the costs of insulin have skyrocketed, and the direct medical costs of treating diabetes have also increased by about 7% since 2017. AdvertisementEarlier this month, Cochrin posted a TikTok explaining that a 3-month supply of her insulin pumps would cost her $1,800, even after insurance. Her continuous glucose monitor doesn't cost her anything right now, but in the past, she paid $30 a month with insurance. AdvertisementDifferent people may have increased sensitivity to different types and brands of insulin, Cochrin said, but insurance companies sometimes only offer one option for coverage.

Persons: —, Grace Cochrin's, Joe Biden, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, it's, Cochrin, She's, Campbell Hutton Organizations: Service, American Diabetes Association, National Institutes of Health, Business, White, US Department of Health, Human Services, that's Locations: Charlotte, North Carolina

☆ Suicide deaths reached a record high in the US in 2022, despite hopeful decreases among children and young adults
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

How to get help Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters. In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Despite the overall increase, provisional data from 2022 shows signs of improvement in rates among children and teens. Teen boys and young men had more significant improvement in suicide rates than young females did. But the vast majority of suicide deaths among teens and young adults ages 15 to 24 were still among males, the provisional data shows.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Ari Davis, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: Lifeline, CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, Teen, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, CNN Health, US Department of Health, Human, Mental Health Services Administration, Prevention Locations: United States

☆ Ohio just legalized cannabis. Now comes the hard part
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Ohio voters’ approval of a legalization measure on Tuesday comes just months after cannabis saw some of its most significant movements at the federal level. “I honestly think it will have massive reverberating effects on what Congress has to do about this.”More than two-thirds of US states have legalized cannabis in some capacity: 38 states have approved comprehensive medical cannabis programs, and Ohio brings the recreational total to 24 states. Joshua A. Bickel/APExisting medical cannabis dispensaries will have the opportunity to be grandfathered in and have first crack at licenses, but municipalities can decide whether to allow sales. “In 2018, Michigan fully legalized cannabis, set a relatively low tax rate and my perception is it’s been a fairly successful industry there.”Michigan’s cannabis sales hit a record $276 million in July, a time when industry members there and beyond have struggled. Marijuana buds ready for harvest rest on a plant at AT-CPC of Ohio, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Akron, Ohio.

Persons: Andrew Freedman, ”, “ It’s, ” Freedman, “, pollster Gallup, ‘, Nick Lachey, Joshua A . Bickel, Mike DeWine, Freedman, Douglas Berman, ” Berman, It’s, Irina Dashevsky, Marder, Tony Dejak, Dashevsky, we’ve, hasn’t, Ariane Kirkpatrick, Amonica Davis, ” Kirkpatrick Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, Buckeye, US Department of Health, Human Services, Forbes Tate, Coalition for Cannabis Policy, CNN, Republican, Drug Enforcement, Center, The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, Industry, Buckeyes, CPC, Ohio, AP Companies, Enforcement Locations: Minneapolis, Minneapolis CNN — Ohio, Ohio, As Ohio, Missouri, Cincinnati, Michigan, Akron , Ohio, United States

☆ Millions have used the 988 mental health crisis line, but most say they wouldn’t turn to it again
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Psychological distress was assessed based on self-reported responses to a standardized set of questions about feelings and experiences. The 988 lifeline launched in July 2022, transitioning from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to a broader focus and a simpler dial code. As the US faces a significant mental health crisis, experts emphasize how critical a tool like the 988 lifeline is. Monica Johnson, director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating office, has called it “the most transformative initiative in behavioral health care” that she’s seen in her decades-long career. But getting it right on the lifeline – and after – will require better training of mental health professionals, the study authors said.

Persons: ”, Michael A, Lindsey, Monica Johnson, she’s, Jonathan Purtle, “, Purtle, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” Lindsay, –, ” Purtle Organizations: CNN, “, New York University Silver School of Social, Prevention, US Department of Health, Human, Mental Health Services Administration, Behavioral, New York University School of Global Public Health, CNN Health

☆ US adults living alone may face higher risk of cancer death, study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In comparison, among 358,876 adults who lived with others, a much smaller share — 1.6% — died of cancer in the study. “We found that working adults living alone had a 1.32 times higher risk of cancer death than adults living with others,” said Dr. Farhad Islami, an author of the study and senior scientific director of cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. That suggests that adults living alone have about a 32% higher risk of cancer death. Compared with adults living with others, adults living alone were more likely to have fair or poor self-reported health status, activity limitation, serious psychological distress, severe obesity, smoke cigarettes, or consume alcohol, according to the study. So, those who live alone may be vulnerable to social isolation,” Milbury said in the email.

Persons: —, “, ”, Farhad Islami, ” Islami, Vivek Murthy, Kathrin Milbury, ” Milbury, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Cancer, American Cancer Society, US Department of Health, Human Services, National Health, The University of Texas, Anderson Cancer Center, CNN Health Locations: United States, Atlanta, White

☆ Natural-hair care is getting a boost from AI as Black-owned beauty-tech companies harness personalized data to better serve customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ngozi Nwanji | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Data reveals that Black consumers are driving the booming market, spending nine times more on hair-care products than other racial groups, a 2023 Nielsen report found. Black women, in particular, spend about $1.7 billion annually on hair-care products. Scientists perform a microscopic analysis of the textured strands to provide hair-care insights. For Myavana, that means partnering with brands to make the company's personalized hair-care technology available "everywhere you shop for hair products," Harris said. AdvertisementAdvertisementHairDays' AI tech tool, called Layla, was created to help people set and achieve their hair goals.

Persons: —, Nielsen, Candace Mitchell Harris, Myavana Harris, Harris, Georgia Tech's InVenture, Myavana, they'll, MyHairID, Myavana Tiffany St, Bernard, she's, Bernard —, Layla, Tiffany St, Ceci Kurzman, Meghan Maupin, Maupin, OurX OurX, St, SOCAi, Cornell, Curtis Cole, Andrew Alexis, OurX, we'll Organizations: Service, Fortune Business, Georgia Institute of Technology, Cornell Tech, SheaMoisture, Unilever, Cornell University's, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health, Human Services Locations: Georgia

“Our children are in crisis, and it is up to us to save them,” Hochul said, comparing social media algorithms to cigarettes and alcohol. Those who opt out would receive chronological feeds instead, like in the early days of social media. Federal lawmakers have introduced a similar bill that would ban kids under 13 from using social media altogether. And numerous lawsuits against social media platforms have accused the companies of harming users’ mental health. Mulgrew called the New York legislation necessary in part due to a lack of action by the federal government to protect kids.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Letitia James, Michael Mulgrew, Andrew Gounardes, Nily, “, ” Hochul, ” James, hasn’t, ”, TikTok, Mulgrew, ” Mulgrew Organizations: CNN, New York Gov, New York, United Federation of Teachers Manhattan, New, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tech, York Child Data, US Department of Health, Human Services, Social Media, Mental Health Locations: New York, States, Arkansas , Louisiana, Utah, York, United States

☆ Why nursing schools are turning away applicants amid a major staffing shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —At a time when registered nurses are going on strike to protest staffing shortages, thousands of applicants who want to enter or advance in the profession are being turned away from nursing schools. Nearly 78,200 qualified applications were not offered spots at nursing schools last year, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which represents schools with baccalaureate and advanced degree programs. Staffing shortages are the main reason why nursing schools are not able to accept more students who want to become registered nurses. Staffing shortages are also a major factor in the current strike by more than 75,000 unionized employees, including registered nurses, at Kaiser Permanente. The national median salary for nursing school professors with master’s degrees is just under $89,000, according to the nursing college association.

Persons: preceptors, Preceptors, ”, Judith Jarosinski, Rick Garcia, David Auerbach, Cynthia McCurren, McCurren, Jarosinski, ” McCurren, Marie Ann Marino, Thomas, “, Marino, ” Marino Organizations: CNN, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Salisbury University’s School of Nursing, Community, Organization, Nursing, Brandeis University, Kaiser Permanente, Bureau of Labor Statistics, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Nurse.com, Thomas Jefferson University College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, US Department of Health, Human Services, Loan, Salisbury School of Nursing, Faculty Academy, Maryland Higher Education Commission, Jefferson College of Nursing, Jefferson Health, Jefferson Locations: Salisbury, Maryland, Kaiser, Flint, Philadelphia

Watching my parents navigate their 80s made me think differently about long-term care insurance. My dad and stepmom bought long-term care insurance while they were in middle age and still without any medical problems. My stepdad was diagnosed with lymphoma and required 24-hour nursing care for several months after he first fell ill. Since they didn't have long-term care insurance, he and my mom had to pay out of pocket for home health care: approximately $10,000 per month. When my parents first needed care and support, I initially thought my husband and I were too old to qualify for long-term care insurance, but it turns out we aren't; many people seek out the insurance in their mid-50s to mid-60s.

Persons: —, stepmom, stepdad Organizations: Service, US Department of Health, Human Services, American, of Medicine Locations: United States, Policygenius

☆ ‘Cozy cardio’ TikTok trend can ease you into a fitness routine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Faye Chiu | Melanie Radzicki Mcmanus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

If that sounds like you and you’re looking for a way to improve your health, consider giving “cozy cardio” a try. Before these cozy cardio workouts, Zuckerbrow followed a workout plan, filled with loud music, to lose 100 pounds. The first TikTok video she posted of her new exercise routine garnered 400,000 views, and cozy cardio was born. Adults should be getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, published by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Cozy for lifeZuckerbrow’s fitness and stamina continue to increase, and trips to the gym have replaced some of her cozy cardio workouts.

Persons: Zuckerbrow, Hope Zuckerbrow, “, ” Zuckerbrow, ”, David Sabgir, Nick Occhipinti, ” Occhipinti, martin, Occhipinti, Sabgir, ” Sabgir, Cozy, Melanie Radzicki McManus Organizations: CNN, Rutgers University, US Department of Health, Human Services, CNN’s, Physicians Locations: Paradise , Texas, Columbus , Ohio, Newark , New Jersey

☆ Your Fitbit and Apple Watch may wind up hurting you
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Kelli María Korducki | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen numbers take overThe 10,000-step benchmark has generally been the baseline goal for smartphone apps and fitness trackers. When the Fitbit tracker launched in 2009, 45 years after Yamasa's gadget cemented the 10,000-steps ideal in the public consciousness, it kick-started a boom in fitness wearables and spawned a frenzy for health data. This flood of easily accessible health data has certainly had some positive effects. Many fitness-tracking products also incorporate social-sharing features, which can give us a better perspective on how our exercise habits stack up against our friends', providing a little healthy competition as motivation. Many health- and fitness-tracking apps and wearables issue notifications throughout the day to urge their users toward their movement goals.

Persons: I've, Amanda Paluch, —, Paluch, John Toner, Toner, Cathleen Kronemer, Louis, she's, Kronemer, there's, I'm, Kelli María Korducki Organizations: Apple, US Department of Health, Human Services, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Hull, Health, Washington University School of Medicine, — Locations: East Asia, St, New York City

☆ PMS now could mean more than twice the risk of early menopause later, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Menopause is considered early when it occurs before age 45, which will happen in 5% to 10% of women, Yang said. Early menopause is concerning because of the shortened reproductive years, but also because of links to other health concerns, she added. A 2010 study found that women who experience early menopause are at an increased risk for overall mortality, including cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and neurological diseases. How are PMS and early menopause connected? Women also need to know that there are ways to manage early menopause and the bothersome hot flashes, she said.

Persons: ”, Yihui Yang, Yang, Stephanie Faubion, Faubion, —, Donghao Lu, ” Faubion, Elizabeth Bertone, Johnson, “ Organizations: CNN, Karolinska Institutet, Mayo Clinic Center, Women’s Health, PMDs, Karolinska, University of Massachusetts Amherst, American College of Obstetricians, Women’s, US Department of Health, Human Services Locations: Sweden

☆ Covid-19 has changed and so has our immunity. Here’s how to think about risk from the virus now
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

So if people are less likely to be hospitalized or die from a Covid-19 infection now, has the danger passed? Through genetic bad luck, some people may just be at higher risk of serious reactions to Covid-19 infections, and they probably wouldn’t know it. Researchers defined it as any new or continuing symptoms more than 90 days after a Covid-19 infection. Based on his experience treating long Covid patients, Griffin said that the percentage reported in the Australian paper seems high. Earlier in the pandemic, pediatric infectious disease specialists were on the lookout for a rare complication of Covid-19 infection in kids called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C.MIS-C starts two to six weeks after a Covid-19 infection.

Persons: CNN —, we’ve, aren’t, Good, ”, Megan Ranney, Covid, ” Ranney, that’s, Evusheld, haven’t, you’ve, they’re, They’re, Mandy Cohen, It’s, –, Jesse Bloom, Daniel Griffin, it’s ‘, Griffin, “, Peter Chin, Chin, Hong, Nathaniel Hendrix, Hendrix, it’s, hasn’t, she’s, Kristin Englund, shouldn’t, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ It’s, Ellie Murray, ” Murray Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Yale School of Public Health, Covid, National Institutes of Health, FDA, US Department of Health, Human Services, CDC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, HHS, Columbia University, University of California, Census Bureau, Nature Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, Nature, Veterans Affairs, Cleveland Clinic, CNN Health, Boston University School of Public Health Locations: South Africa, Botswana, United States, China, Seattle, Israel, Denmark, United Kingdom, Portugal, US, Switzerland, Thailand, Australia, San Francisco, Ohio

☆ Maui wildfires: At least 106 were killed and identifying all of them will be difficult, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Only five of the 106 dead had been identified as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Maui County officials. Family members of missing people had provided 41 DNA samples, trying to see whether their loves ones are among the dead, county officials said. Green told CNN Tuesday he hopes “much of it will be done” by the weekend. Dominick Del Vecchio/Reuters• Some victims are named: Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of Lahaina, were killed, Maui County officials said Tuesday. Hawaii’s attorney general will spearhead a review of decisions that officials made in response to the wildfires, her office has said.

Persons: Hawaii’s, Josh Green, Green, “ We’re, “, we’re, ”, Jonathan Greene, Dominick Del Vecchio, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, we’ll, who’s, ” Green, • Biden, Biden, Dang, ” Dang, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Kula, Ross Hart, Maui’s upcountry, Hart, ” Hart, CNN they’ve, Jace Kennedy Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Authorities, US Department of Health, Human Services, FEMA, Reuters, •, Lahaina’s Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, •, Upper Kula, upcountry, Kula, Maui’s

☆ Two research teams detail advancements in transplanting pig kidneys to humans, marking key steps on path to clinical trials
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —New advancements in transplanting pig kidneys to humans, detailed by two separate research teams on Wednesday, mark key steps forward in the evolving field of xenotransplantation, the use of non-human tissues or organs to treat medical conditions in humans. Both research teams used genetically modified pig kidneys that were transplanted into recipients experiencing brain death in what is considered pre-clinical human research. Other studies have demonstrated that this can occur when pig kidneys are transplanted in non-human primates. The team has been monitoring pig kidney transplants in a brain-dead decedent – a man named Maurice Miller, known as Mo, who died of a brain tumor – for nearly two months. “Over the last 20 years, we’ve gained a lot of information about how pig kidneys work to replace the functions in primates.

Persons: ”, Jayme Locke, Locke, ” Locke, NYU Langone, Maurice Miller, Mo, Robert Montgomery, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ We’re, Adam Griesemer, we’ve, ’ –, we’re Organizations: CNN, University of Alabama, Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, New York University, Health, Comprehensive Transplant Institute, ”, UAB, NYU, NYU Langone Transplant Institute, CNN Health, Liver Transplant, FDA, US Department of Health, Human, Transplantation Network

☆ Vaccines for flu and RSV now available ahead of fall virus season
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —With the fall respiratory virus season just around the corner, major US pharmacy chains have begun rolling out flu and RSV vaccine appointments. CVS is now scheduling flu vaccinations, as well as allowing walk-in vaccinations at certain pharmacies, spokesperson Amy Thibault said. Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens say they will also offer the new Covid-19 vaccines once they’re available. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first RSV vaccines, from GSK and Pfizer, this year. Those who want all three vaccines should get their RSV vaccine well before or after their flu and Covid-19 shots, Schaffner says.

Persons: Catherine Carter, Amy Thibault, Xavier Becerra, Becerra, Albert Bourla, William Schaffner, it’s, ” Schaffner, Schaffner, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ We’re, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Walgreens, Aid, CVS, Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Rite, FDA, US Centers for Disease Control, US Department of Health, Human Services, Pfizer, Moderna, Food and Drug Administration, GSK, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, CDC, CNN Health

☆ Nearly 62,000 people died from record-breaking heat in Europe last summer. It’s a lesson for the US, too
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Nearly 62,000 people died heat-related deaths last year during Europe’s hottest summer on record, a new study has found — more heartbreaking evidence that heat is a silent killer, and its victims are vastly under-counted. Of the nearly 62,000 deaths analyzed, heat-related mortality rate was 63% higher in women than in men. “The acceleration of warming observed over the last 10 years underlines the urgent need to reassess and substantially strengthen prevention plans,” Achebak said. Heat deaths have outpaced hurricane deaths in the country by more than 8-to-1 over the past decade, according to data tracked by the National Weather Service. Yet the United States’ heat mortality numbers would suggest that far fewer people are dying from heat than in Europe.

Persons: “, Joan Ballester, Ballester, ”, Matt Dunham, —, Hicham Achebak, ” Achebak, Ricardo Rubio, David S, Jones, “ There’s, ” Jones, ” John Balbus, Greenlee Beal, Balbus, Biden, “ We’re, ” Balbus Organizations: CNN, Nature Medicine, Eurostat, Guard, Europa Press, National Weather Service, Centers for Disease Control, Harvard University, Health Equity, US Department of Health, Human Services, CDC Locations: Europe, Italy, Spain, Germany, ISGlobal, Buckingham, London, Madrid, United States, France, American, Chicago, Eagle Pass , Texas, U.S

☆ The Most Expensive and Most Affordable Cities for Childcare in the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Jeremy Ney | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The most expensive counties generally have fewer childcare workers or the state doesn't provide enough financial support for low-income families. The US Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare "affordable" if it costs less than 7% of a family's income. The pandemic provided a perfect example of this dynamic: 2 million women left the workforce and haven't returned, citing childcare costs as the No. Counties with higher levels of poverty often lack affordable care as childcare workers themselves can't afford to live on the industry's low wages. In Canada, where childcare workers make more, that ratio is six to one.

Persons: haven't, It's, Joe Biden, doesn't, Annie Lowrey, Grant, Jeremy Ney Organizations: Department of Labor, US Department of Health, Human Services, New, Bay State, University of Massachusetts Amherst, US, Preschool, America, Federal Reserve Bank of New Locations: Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York City, America, Kings County, Brooklyn, Queens County, Bronx County, Bronx, Bay, While Massachusetts, California, . Mississippi, New York, Canada, Portland , Oregon, Portland, Michigan, The, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

☆ How much you exercise may impact flu and pneumonia risk, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —It’s time to add to your list of reasons to work out: Getting active could help prevent risk of death from the flu and pneumonia, according to new research. Meeting both recommendations for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity cut the risk associated with flu or pneumonia death nearly in half, but meeting just the aerobic activity target was associated with a 36% lower risk, according to the study. This study might encourage them that physical activity may be another powerful tool for protecting themselves against influenza and pneumonia death,” he said. Even a little bit of exercise showed benefit in protecting against flu and pneumonia death, the study found. Getting 10 to 149 minutes a week of aerobic physical activity was associated with a 21% decreased risk of flu and pneumonia death, the study showed.

☆ People used to fight over getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Now millions of doses are getting tossed in the trash because no one's using them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available in the US. Over two years after it was first approved, the last batch of doses has been thrown out. But now, millions of doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are getting tossed in the trash because no one's using them. Over 31.5 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been distributed across the country since March 2021 — 19 million of which made it into Americans' arms, CNN reported. The end of the J&J vaccine comes less than a week after the US Department of Health and Human Services officially ended the COVID-19 public health emergency as the Biden administration winds down its COVID-19 response.

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