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You Can Get SAD In the Summer, Too

Key TakeawaysSeasonal affective disorder is usually linked to the winter months, but it can happen in the summer, too.Summertime SAD is less common than wintertime SAD.The pandemic may have raised your risk of developing SAD this summer. Key Takeaways Seasonal affective disorder is usually linked to the winter months, but it can happen in the summer, too.Summertime SAD is less common than wintertime SAD.The pandemic may have raised your risk of developing SAD this summer....

You Can Have a More Sustainable Diet by Swapping One Item at a Time

Key TakeawaysSwapping one item for a more eco-friendly alternative in your overall diet can help reducing your carbon footprint.Beef has the highest environmental impact among other commonly consumed foods.Plant-based alternatives aren’t always sustainable. Asparagus and almonds, for example, require lots of water. Key Takeaways Swapping one item for a more eco-friendly alternative in your overall diet can help reducing your carbon footprint.Beef has the highest environmental impact among other commonly consumed foods....

You Can Help Researchers Look for COVID-19 Treatments With Your Smartphone

Key TakeawaysViDok is an app created to gather crowdsourced information that may help researchers identify drugs to effectively treat COVID-19.Users (who do not need a medical degree) have access to a database of available drugs. They can use the app to test how well each drug will bind to a key COVID-19 protein.The researchers hope the app will help reveal potential treatments for COVID-19 that can be further tested. Key Takeaways ViDok is an app created to gather crowdsourced information that may help researchers identify drugs to effectively treat COVID-19....

You Can Identify Whether Your Food Is Ultra-Processed on This New Database

Key TakeawaysScientists created a new online database to help users compare the level of processing across 50,000 food items in the U.S. food supply.Studies show that consuming “ultra-processed” foods can increase the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.The team behind the new database hopes it can help consumers understand what they eat and make more informed food choices. Key Takeaways Scientists created a new online database to help users compare the level of processing across 50,000 food items in the U....

You Can Now Access Your Health Records Digitally

Key TakeawaysUnder new federal rules from the 21st Century Cures Act, healthcare organizations must give patients access to their health records in an electronic format.Experts say this will benefit patients because it will give them information that can help them make informed decisions about their care.Provider portals are the main way to request health care records, but there are other ways to get access including through third-party apps and organizations or even via email....

You Can Now Display Your COVID Vaccination Status on Dating Apps

Key Takeaways In a new initiative with the White House, some major dating apps are offering users the opportunity to share their vaccination status and access premium features if they have received the shot. The companies and the Biden administration are hoping this will encourage people to get vaccinated and allow people to feel comfortable swiping right on other vaccinated singles. Participating dating apps include the most popular platforms like Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, and Hinge....

You Can Now Get a Blood Test to Screen for Colorectal Cancer

Key TakeawaysThe FDA approved the first blood test for screening colorectal cancer.In a clinical trial, the test identified 83% of the colorectal cancer cases and delivered false positive results to 10% of cancer-free participants.The blood test isn’t a substitute for a colonoscopy, but it could improve screening rates among people who are resistant to colonoscopy and stool-based tests. Key Takeaways The FDA approved the first blood test for screening colorectal cancer....

You Can Now Get Free Child Care During Your COVID Vaccine Appointment

Key Takeaways Here’s All the Free Stuff You Can Get With Your COVID Vaccine Card How the Service Works The administration partnered with four of the country’s largest childcare providers to offer services. Each company has a slightly different approach: The number of participating childcare facilities near you may also be growing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued new guidance encouraging states to use childcare funding from the American Rescue Plan to provide financial incentives to neighborhood- and home-based childcare providers to help out....

You Can Now Get Paxlovid Without Seeing a Provider

Key TakeawaysThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients who test positive for COVID-19.Patients must connect the pharmacist to a provider who knows their medical history or be able to provide recent kidney and liver function tests. This information will help the pharmacist confirm the drug is safe to prescribe.To prevent potentially dangerous drug interactions, patients also need to provide the pharmacist with a list of all their current medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) products....

You Can Now Get This Weight Loss Medication Directly From the Manufacturer

Key TakeawaysEli Lilly has launched a service called LillyDirect that allows patients to get its weight loss drug Zepbound and other medications directly.The service can facilitate care for obesity, diabetes, and migraine.On the website, you can also search for independent telehealth providers or in-person care for these conditions. Key Takeaways Eli Lilly has launched a service called LillyDirect that allows patients to get its weight loss drug Zepbound and other medications directly....

You Can Now Record Your COVID-19 Rapid Test Results. Here’s How To Do It

Key TakeawaysMakeMyTestCountis a new website from the National Institutes of Health that allows individuals to record the results of COVID-19 antigen tests taken at home.This site adds to the information that public health departments have about the spread of COVID-19, which previously relied only on data from PCR tests.The site is easy to use and keeps your data anonymous. Key Takeaways MakeMyTestCountis a new website from the National Institutes of Health that allows individuals to record the results of COVID-19 antigen tests taken at home....

You Can Now Test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea With an At-Home Kit

Key TakeawaysThe FDA granted marketing authorization for the first at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.The test, called Simple 2, is the first FDA-authorized at-home test kit for STIs other than HIV.Experts say the authorization expands public accessibility and flexibility for testing STIs, particularly benefiting communities that have low access to sexual health clinics. Key Takeaways The FDA granted marketing authorization for the first at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.The test, called Simple 2, is the first FDA-authorized at-home test kit for STIs other than HIV....

You Can Order Another Round of Free COVID-19 Tests

Key TakeawaysYou can now request four more free COVID-19 rapid tests onCOVIDTests.gov.Before you throw out an expired rapid test, checkif their expiration dates have been extended.The tests should be able to detect the circulating COVID-19 variants, including EG.5 and BA.2.86. Key Takeaways You can now request four more free COVID-19 rapid tests onCOVIDTests.gov.Before you throw out an expired rapid test, checkif their expiration dates have been extended.The tests should be able to detect the circulating COVID-19 variants, including EG....