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Key TakeawaysJurisdictions have enacted a wide range of policies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, with varying effectiveness.Researchers have analyzed these policies to try to determine which are the most effective.Public compliance is an important factor in the success of these policies. Key Takeaways Jurisdictions have enacted a wide range of policies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, with varying effectiveness.Researchers have analyzed these policies to try to determine which are the most effective....

Key TakeawaysThe COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a persistent stressor for many.A new study finds that stress levels for individuals in the U.S. during the first 30 days of the pandemic were equivalent to the total number of stress they reported for the previous year.If you’ve experienced mental health issues in the past, the pandemic may be hitting you harder than most. Key Takeaways The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a persistent stressor for many....

Key Takeaways Four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a general sentiment that COVID has become just like the flu.This raises a question: if some people develop long COVID after the acute infection goes away, do some people experience long-term flu, too? To compare the long-term consequences of seasonal influenza and COVID, researchers tracked people hospitalized with either illness over 18 months.They found that both illnesses often left people with lingering health problems that can last for months or years....

Key TakeawaysExcessive sodium intake is linked to many negative health outcomes.New research has shown that consuming too much salt may affect how well the body’s immune cells work.Most people should try to keep their salt intake to the recommended maximum of 2,300 milligrams per day. Key Takeaways Excessive sodium intake is linked to many negative health outcomes.New research has shown that consuming too much salt may affect how well the body’s immune cells work....

Key TakeawaysA recent meta-analysis found that eating red and processed meat can increase ischemic heart disease risk.In the same study, eating poultry didn’t appear to play a significant role on heart health.Experts say people should focus on dietary patterns and overall lifestyle choices when supporting heart health instead of completely eliminating one food from their diet. Key Takeaways A recent meta-analysis found that eating red and processed meat can increase ischemic heart disease risk....

Key Takeaways A year into the pandemic, COVID-19’s physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fatigue, are well-documented. But how does the virus affect mental health? To address this question, program evaluator Matthew T. Boden, PhD, approached his colleagues at the Veterans Health Administration in Palo Alto to organize a meta-analysis of multiple studies to identify overarching trends. Since the data on COVID-19 is in its infancy, the study sought to make predictions on the virus’s mental health impact using data from two other recent coronavirus pandemics—SARS and MERS-CoV, along with existing COVID-19 data....

Key Takeaways A new study published in theAmerican Journal of Preventative Medicineshows that while vaccine adherence is increasing among adults, there are still significant gaps that can be linked back to four factors: socioeconomic status (SES), health insurance, education level, and race/ethnicity. What the Study Looked At The study included self-reported responses from 31,539 adults over the age of 18 in the United States as part of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)....

Key TakeawaysUp to a third of people with COVID-19 have long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, including psychosis and anxiety.Patients may have new neuropsychiatric symptoms or worse symptoms of an existing mental illness.The virus may cause brain damage directly through inflammation or through blood clotting.Current treatment for COVID-19-related neuropsychiatric issues includes treating specific symptoms, monitoring patients, and taking a wait-and-see approach. Key Takeaways Up to a third of people with COVID-19 have long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, including psychosis and anxiety....

Key Takeaways There are different air pollutants, but MGH’s study focused on particulate matter (PM). Particles considered inhalable are conglomerates of solids and liquids.These particles can reach up to 10 microns in diameter—a seventh of the diameter of a human hair.Their lethality increases as their size decreases, which makes evasion of the body’s respiratory defenses possible. Particles 2.5 microns or fewer in diameter (PM2.5) have “the ability to not only be inhalable but also be able to cross the alveolar-capillary membrane"—also known as the blood-lung barrier—“to the circulation and impart their detrimental effects on various organs,” co-first study authorShady Abohashem, MD, research fellow in the department of cardiology at MGH, tells Verywell....

Key TakeawaysAccording to the results of a new study, androgen therapy shows promise as a treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.Androgen therapy involves the use of natural androgens or androgenic drugs to inhibit breast tumor growth.Clinical trials of one such drug, Enobosarm, are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2021. Key Takeaways According to the results of a new study, androgen therapy shows promise as a treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer....

Key Takeaways Although many assume that those that do cardiovascular exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart issues, recent research found that athletes may have more than twice the risk of atrial fibrillation—or an irregular heart rhythm. The study was a survey and analysis of 13 studies published over the course of 30 years from 1990 to 2020, encompassing more than 70,478 participants. Of those, 6,816 were considered athletes....

Key TakeawaysA new study shows that receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood rather than childhood can lead to lower quality of life, more severe mental health symptoms, and higher autistic trait levels.Research has also shown that men receive a diagnosis of autism several years sooner than women.Better diagnostic measures and support are needed for all autistic people, but especially autistic adults. Key Takeaways A new study shows that receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood rather than childhood can lead to lower quality of life, more severe mental health symptoms, and higher autistic trait levels....

Key TakeawaysResearchers found that adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and/or any mental health diagnosis had more COVID-19 risk factors than neurotypical adults.Although some of these risk factors, such as living in a residential care facility, may be difficult to avoid, there are ways to adapt.Experts say there’s a need for larger-scale COVID-19 care and research tailored toward people with autism and/or intellectual disabilities. Key Takeaways Researchers found that adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and/or any mental health diagnosis had more COVID-19 risk factors than neurotypical adults....