This New Data Tracking Tool Takes a Closer Look at COVID-19 Disparities

Key TakeawaysThe Health Equity Tracker helps people visualize the disparities in health outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups.Users can look up data on COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, the prevalence of diabetes, the number of uninsured individuals, and rates of poverty for their county and state.The project leaders hope the tool will expand to encompass more groups and conditions to address future public health needs. Key Takeaways The Health Equity Tracker helps people visualize the disparities in health outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1002 words · Robert Paul

This New Drug for GERD Works Better Than Proton Pump Inhibitors

Key TakeawaysThe FDA recently approved Voquezna, the first potassium-competitive acid blocker drug for treating erosive and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux.Voquezna works faster and lasts longer than proton pump inhibitors, the most common drug treatment for GERD.In addition to medication, you can relieve GERD symptoms with diet and lifestyle modifications. Key Takeaways The FDA recently approved Voquezna, the first potassium-competitive acid blocker drug for treating erosive and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux.Voquezna works faster and lasts longer than proton pump inhibitors, the most common drug treatment for GERD....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1394 words · Pamela Ford

This New Menopause Drug Can Treat Hot Flashes With Minimal Side Effects

Key TakeawaysThe FDA approved Veozah, a non-hormonal medication that can help reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.Veozah is the first drug to target neurokinin B, a brain chemical that helps to regulate body temperature.This drug approval is especially important for breast cancer patients and other people who cannot take hormone replacement therapy, experts say. Key Takeaways The FDA approved Veozah, a non-hormonal medication that can help reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1346 words · Shannon Johnson MD

This New Service Can Help You Find Medical Equipment to Borrow for Free

Key TakeawaysBecause of cost and access issues, many people who need medical equipment—such as walkers and wheelchairs—borrow them from local medical equipment loan programs.A new online directory calledGotDME?lists details about lending programs in all 50 states. Key Takeaways Because of cost and access issues, many people who need medical equipment—such as walkers and wheelchairs—borrow them from local medical equipment loan programs.A new online directory calledGotDME?lists details about lending programs in all 50 states....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1036 words · Ann Davidson

This New Simulation Will Help Train Doctors in Gender-Affirming Care

Key TakeawaysResearchers developed a new simulation to help train healthcare professionals on how to provide gender-affirming care.Gender-affirming care works against the barriers that transgender and gender non-conforming folks face in getting the health care they need.Gender identity is just one aspect of a person’s identity that needs further research and incorporation into health care training.For transgender and gender non-conforming folks, finding quality, gender-affirming health care can be challenging. A 2015 survey found that 33% of respondents who had seen a healthcare provider in the previous year had had a negative experience related to their gender identity, such as being refused treatment....

January 17, 2025 · 13 min · 2725 words · Ethan Adams

This New Tool Can Help Determine Whether You Should Get Tested for COVID

Key TakeawaysThe National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) developed a free online tool to help individuals and organizations decide when to get tested for COVID-19.To determine COVID-19 risk and transmission, it utilizes a variety of variables including vaccination status, transmission rates based on geographic location, and your safety precautions.50,000 users around the world are utilizing the When To Test calculator.As people decide whether to gather with family and friends this holiday season, COVID-19 testing is going to be increasingly important....

January 17, 2025 · 9 min · 1802 words · Linda Cohen

This Newly-Approved Drug Can Keep Chronic Yeast Infections Away for 2 Years

What This Means For You The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)recently approvedVivjoa (oteseconazole), an antifungal medication used to reduce or eradicate chronic yeast infections. It is the first and only FDA-approved medication for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC)—the medical term for chronic yeast infections. Yeast Infections The approval isbased on datafrom three Phase 3 trials, which included 875 people in 11 countries. In the first two trials, over 90% of women taking Vivjoa did not experience a yeast infection recurrence over the 48-week period, compared to roughly 60% of the placebo groups....

January 17, 2025 · 4 min · 725 words · Randall Garrett

This Non-Hormonal Hot Flash Treatment Works Round the Clock

Key TakeawaysVeozah is a non-hormonal medication to treat hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.The drug decreased the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats during both the daytime and nighttime compared to a placebo, a new analysis shows.Having a safe and effective non-hormonal treatment for symptoms of menopause can improve quality of life and minimize long-term health risks, experts say. Key Takeaways Veozah is a non-hormonal medication to treat hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause....

January 17, 2025 · 9 min · 1748 words · Todd Beltran

This OB-GYN Is Using TikTok to Educate People on Abortion Resources

Key TakeawaysThe Texas abortion ban prohibits people from seeking abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into the pregnancy.An OB-GYN is using TikTok to inform people on abortion resources.TikTok is one of the best platforms to reach Gen Z audiences, who may seek for reproductive health information for themselves or others. Key Takeaways The Texas abortion ban prohibits people from seeking abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into the pregnancy....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 909 words · Curtis Harvey

This Rapid Blood Test Could Detect Concussions and Other Brain Injuries

Key TakeawayThe FDA cleared a rapid blood test for mild traumatic brain injury.The test can help a medical provider determine if someone should get a CT scan in 15 minutes.Blood biomarker tests like this one can make brain injury diagnoses more objective and accessible, experts say. Key Takeaway The FDA cleared a rapid blood test for mild traumatic brain injury.The test can help a medical provider determine if someone should get a CT scan in 15 minutes....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1173 words · Kenneth Herrera

This Risk Assessment Tool Helped Olivia Munn Catch Her Breast Cancer Early

Key TakeawaysActress Olivia Munn shared on social media that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, crediting a risk assessment tool with helping her doctor catch the cancer early.The breast risk assessment tool refers to one of two different tools. Both use a patient’s age, race, family history of breast cancer, and other details about their health to estimate their chance of developing breast cancer.Experts say you can use these tools on your own but that it’s better to work closely with a provider while filling them out....

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 2046 words · Lee Valenzuela

This Root Vegetable Helps with Blood Pressure and Inflammation, According to a Dietitian

Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Nutrition Health Benefits Side Effects Eat Beets Beets are known for their slight heart shape, bright colors, earthy flavor, and the ability to stain everything in sight when sliced in preparation for a meal. They are full of essential vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, many of which have medicinal properties. This article covers the nutritional and health benefits, as well as the potential downsides, of eating beets....

January 17, 2025 · 16 min · 3255 words · Joan Hopkins

This Simple Tip Can Help You Adjust to the Daylight Saving Time Change

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 3, which means most Americans will gain an extra hour of sleep this weekend. However, it’s not always easy to adjust to the time change. Research shows that moving the clock back an hour disrupts circadian rhythms and can harm sleep and health.Many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Medical Association, oppose changing the clocks every March and November for this reason....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1146 words · Stephen Fisher