As more Americans try to stay healthier and to beat the pains of commuting by car, bus, or light rail systems, many (including yours truly) have turned to bicycling. But as a result, non-fatal bike injuries have skyrocketed—especially for men and for riders older than 45—and two-wheel collision treatment has become expensive: The annual cost….
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Public health, preventive care programs may take billion-dollar hit
When it comes to the nation’s health, the Trump Administration and the GOP-dominated Congress seem determined to prove they know how to do penny-wise and pound-foolish. They’re amply demonstrating this with proposed slashes in the nation’s basic budget for public health. They’re calling for a $1 billion cut for the Centers for Disease Control and….
Continue ReadingMerry, merry, and happy, happy? Some ideas to keep the holidays safe, healthy
Because the holidays should be filled with abundant joy, here are a few ways to safeguard the health and well-being of you and yours in the days ahead: Don’t ignore deadly fire dangers The tragic Oakland, Calif., warehouse-concert hall blaze that claimed at least 36 lives has provided a timely reminder: Fires remain a huge concern,….
Continue ReadingWith Olympics ready to go, Miami, not Rio, is epicenter of Zika buzz
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games are about to launch, and who would have guessed that Miami, and not Rio, is the city that officials are buzzing about because of the tropical malady Zika? State and local officials say they are stepping up the battle against the mosquito-borne scourge after confirming four locally contracted Zika cases….
Continue ReadingWhere are regulators as hundreds offer so-called ‘stem cell’ care?
Beneficial therapies can topple over to medical nightmares in a blink, especially when regulators seem to have looked askance or even shut their eyes and slumbered. The Food and Drug Administration may need to look into what is going on with the burgeoning business of so-called stem cell treatments. Two academics took to the Internet….
Continue ReadingMosquito-borne virus blamed for birth defects in Brazil
Health officials and parents in Brazil are grappling with a surge of birth defects traced to mosquitoes. In the last year, more than 2,700 infants have been born with microcephaly, tiny heads and brains that leave children permanently disabled. That rate is about 20 times higher than recent years. The culprit receiving tentative blame is Zika,….
Continue ReadingA warning for holiday travelers to tropical respites
Here’s a buzz-kill alert: Although I’m wishing all the very best for the season, for those headed to vacation in sunny, tropical climes, I’m also hoping to put a tiny bug in your ear — be aware of local health conditions and protect yourself from tiny nipping critters, because tropical diseases continue to surge in….
Continue ReadingMedical Considerations for Buying Travel Insurance
At this time of year, many people are in vacation mode, and some purchase travel insurance. But if you don’t have pre-existing medical conditions, should you insure your trip with medical coverage? According to KaiserHealthNews.org, “Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions if you buy coverage within 14 to 21 days of making your….
Continue ReadingRuling Makes Cruise Lines Subject to Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
It seems like every month brings another story about some dire medical problem aboard a cruise ship where the subjects’ misery is compounded by their inability to seek legal relief. But after more than a century, it looks as though cruise passengers now might be able to sue for medical malpractice. As reported last month….
Continue ReadingHealth Advice for Summer Travelers
Travel can be challenging enough without the added difficulty of getting sick. One way to prevent this unfortunate circumstance, or to minimize its effect once it happens, is to visit the travel website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before you go. In addition to general consumer information, such as how to….
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