Health
What you need to know before a ‘tolerance break’ from marijuana use
By Madeline Holcombe, CNN (CNN) — When your tolerance for marijuana goes up, often usage does, too. That’s a problem many regular users of cannabis products are facing, and some are turning to “T-breaks,” or tolerance breaks, in hopes of getting back to the same high at lower doses. Current research, however, isn’t definitive on
Continue ReadingWHO makes loneliness a global health priority with new Commission on Social Connection
By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — The World Health Organization is making loneliness a global health priority, it said Wednesday, launching a new Commission on Social Connection. For the next three years, the commission will focus on ways to address the “pressing health threat” of a global epidemic of loneliness, reviewing the latest science and
Continue ReadingSuicide rates in the US are highest among elderly men, and most involve guns, CDC report says
By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — The suicide rate in the United States spiked in 2021, reversing two years of decline, and rates among older men were especially high, a new report says. There were about 30 suicide deaths for every 100,000 men ages 55 and older in 2021, according to a report published Wednesday
Continue ReadingCommon pesticides in food reducing sperm count worldwide, study says
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Pesticides used in our homes, gardens and lawns and sprayed on foods we eat are contributing to a dramatic decline in sperm count among men worldwide, according to a new analysis of studies over the last 50 years. “Over the course of 50 years, sperm concentration has fallen about
Continue ReadingAmericans’ trust in science declining, Pew survey says
By Giri Viswanathan, CNN (CNN) — Americans’ trust in science and scientists has dropped since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report by Pew Research Center. The percent of American adults who say science has a “mostly positive” effect on society fell to 57%, down 8 percentage points since November 2021
Continue ReadingDeveloping multiple health conditions, including cancer, linked to ultraprocessed foods
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Eating higher amounts of ultraprocessed food raises the risk of being diagnosed with multimorbidity, or having multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, a new study found. “What is particularly significant in this large study is that eating more ultra-processed foods, in particular animal products and
Continue ReadingWhat you should know about the latest obesity medication approved by FDA
By Katia Hetter, CNN (CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration approved the medication Zepbound last week to treat chronic obesity. The injectable drug, made by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, has the active ingredient tirzepatide, which had been approved in May 2022 to treat type 2 diabetes under the name Mounjaro. Tirzepatide joins
Continue ReadingUS lung cancer survival rates rise, but it’s still the leading cause of cancer death. One easy tool could help
By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — Over the past five years, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer in the US has increased a significant 22%, according to a new report from the American Lung Association. But the number of people who get tested for lung cancer is still not nearly enough, experts say. About
Continue ReadingCDC warns doctors to watch for lead poisoning related to cinnamon applesauce as investigation continues
By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning health care providers to be on the lookout for children who may have been exposed to lead after eating cinnamon-flavored applesauce products. The CDC published an official health advisory Monday notifying doctors that as of November 7, 22 cases
Continue ReadingMore than 1 in 6 US adults and adolescents had a substance use disorder in 2022, federal survey finds
By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — Nearly 49 million people in the US ages 12 and older – more than 1 in 6 – had a substance use disorder in 2022, according to survey data released Monday by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Of those, about 30 million people had an alcohol use
Continue ReadingBeing a nice person is not the same as being kind. Why the difference is so important
By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN (CNN) — When my father died of bone cancer last year, I received an outpouring of messages from friends and family sharing their condolences. While I appreciated everyone who reached out, I was especially grateful for two of my former college roommates who surprised my family with a delivery of bagels
Continue ReadingLife expectancy gap between men and women in the US widened significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic
By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — Women in the United States can expect to live nearly six years longer than men, as disparities in deaths from Covid-19 and drug overdoses drive the life expectancy gap to the widest it’s been in decades. Overall, life expectancy in the US fell more than two and a half
Continue ReadingNo, you can’t just ask your wife to make a list. This is how to become equal household partners
By Madeline Holcombe, CNN (CNN) — Zachary Watson looked at the blueberry muffins his wife just pulled out of the oven, steam rising off the golden tops. “Are these too hot to give to the baby?” he asked her. “Immediately as that came out of my mouth, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Why the hell did
Continue ReadingSeasonal affective disorder doesn’t mean you have to be SAD. Here are 6 ways to fight the blues
By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN (CNN) — Sign up for CNN’s Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. Some people might have looked forward to the extra hour of sleep after Daylight Saving Time ended recently, but for millions of people, the shorter days and longer nights are another
Continue ReadingCutting 1 teaspoon of salt works as well as blood pressure meds, study finds
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Cutting 1 teaspoon of salt from your diet each day can lower your top blood pressure reading just as much as a typical hypertension medication, even if you don’t have high blood pressure, a new study found. A teaspoon of salt is 2,300 milligrams — that’s the top daily
Continue ReadingTrial confirms heart benefits of Wegovy, but is weight loss responsible – or something else?
By Meg Tirrell, CNN (CNN) — Results from a landmark clinical trial this summer suggested, for the first time, that a medication given for weight loss alone could reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart-related death in people with cardiovascular disease, bolstering physicians’ excitement about an already-exploding class of new medicines. Novo Nordisk’s
Continue ReadingPuerto Rico declares flu epidemic, with more than 900 hospitalizations and dozens of deaths reported
By Amanda Musa, CNN (CNN) — The Puerto Rico Department of Health declared an influenza epidemic Thursday, with at least 900 hospitalizations and 25,900 cases recorded since flu season began in July. It’s the first flu epidemic in the US territory since 2016, officials say. As of November 4, there have been 42 confirmed deaths
Continue ReadingSex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer appointed New York state’s first loneliness ambassador
By Rob Frehse and Kristen Rogers, CNN (CNN) — Media personality and sex expert Dr. Ruth Westheimer is now New York state’s honorary ambassador to loneliness, a role that’s the first of its kind in the nation. Appointed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Thursday, Westheimer is aiming to help New Yorkers with social isolation,
Continue ReadingBest ways to counter the harmful effects of sitting, according to research
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Sign up for CNN’s Fitness, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide will help you ease into a healthy routine, backed by experts. Sitting too much may send you to an early death, likely from chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and more, according to
Continue Reading