Tag

Prevention

All articles tagged with #prevention

COVID-19 Cases Are Rising Nationwide—Know The Symptoms And How To Stay Safe
health1 day ago

COVID-19 Cases Are Rising Nationwide—Know The Symptoms And How To Stay Safe

COVID-19 infections are increasing across all 50 states as fall nears, with the South and West seeing stronger upticks and a seasonal peak expected in fall/winter. Common symptoms remain upper-respiratory (runny nose, congestion, sore throat, fever), with more severe cases causing breathing difficulties. Protection emphasizes air hygiene and vaccination (noted low uptake), plus antiviral options like Paxlovid and post-exposure Xocova when appropriate. If exposed or sick, test, stay home if positive, and consult a clinician for the best treatment.

Green Lakes Named Second on National Tick-Borne Illness Concern List
local3 days ago

Green Lakes Named Second on National Tick-Borne Illness Concern List

Green Lakes in Fayetteville, NY, ranked No. 2 on WorldAtlas’s national tick-borne illness concerns list—a ranking built from regional Lyme disease data, research and firsthand reports, not park-specific case counts. New York Lyme cases are rising (nearly 23,000 statewide last year, excluding NYC). Health officials urge routine tick checks before and after outdoor time, use of repellents and light-colored clothing, and checking children and pets; biologist Dave Knable notes his brother’s Lyme disease and discusses protecting his dog with a preventive collar, while NY Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald stresses prevention before illness.

Soft Signals: 8 Subtle Heart Attack Signs Women Need to Know
health3 days ago

Soft Signals: 8 Subtle Heart Attack Signs Women Need to Know

Heart attack symptoms in women can be subtler than men's. The piece lists eight signs to watch for (extreme fatigue, indigestion or heartburn, jaw/back pain, shortness of breath, left-arm pain, nausea, and chest pressure) and explains why women may have different patterns. Time is muscle: seek urgent care immediately by calling 911 and getting an ER evaluation with an ECG and blood tests. For risk reduction, prioritize regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting sufficient sleep.

KRAS-Targeted Drug Sparks Immune Defense to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer in High-Risk People
science4 days ago

KRAS-Targeted Drug Sparks Immune Defense to Prevent Pancreatic Cancer in High-Risk People

Johns Hopkins researchers report that an experimental KRAS-targeting drug was safe in a phase 1 trial of 20 people at high risk for pancreatic cancer and successfully activated KRAS-specific T-cells in 90% of participants, with immune responses persisting for about two years; while no cancers or high-risk lesions progressed during follow-up, the small study was not designed to prove prevention.

Five Everyday Habits That May Lower Cancer Risk
health5 days ago

Five Everyday Habits That May Lower Cancer Risk

Fox News Health outlines five practical steps—maintain healthy weight, stay physically active, eat a balanced, mostly plant-based diet with limited processed foods, limit alcohol and avoid tobacco, and keep up with cancer screening—that may reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes. The piece notes obesity as a major risk factor, cites ACS guidance, and mentions emerging evidence that GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic/Wegovy) could be linked to lower cancer risk via weight loss and reduced inflammation, though they are not approved for cancer prevention.

NYC logs first West Nile case of 2026 as citywide mosquito activity rises
health5 days ago

NYC logs first West Nile case of 2026 as citywide mosquito activity rises

New York City has its first confirmed West Nile virus case of 2026, with the infected resident falling ill after outdoor exposure. Nationally, 222 West Nile cases have been reported. Mosquitoes carrying the virus have been detected in all five boroughs since June. Officials say the illness is preventable and urge protective steps: use insect repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, and remove standing water around homes. NYC typically sees about 31 West Nile illnesses annually; most infections are mild, but about 1 in 150 can become neuroinvasive.

COVID Is Spreading Across the U.S.: Watch for These Symptoms and Take Precautions
health7 days ago

COVID Is Spreading Across the U.S.: Watch for These Symptoms and Take Precautions

COVID-19 infections are rising across all 50 states as summer ends. The most common symptoms remain upper-respiratory (runny nose, congestion, sore throat, fever), with some cases progressing to shortness of breath and a severe cough. Experts expect waves to continue into fall and emphasize vaccination, good air hygiene (ventilation, masks), and testing if symptoms appear. Treatments like Paxlovid are available for those who need them, and Xocova may help after exposure in certain cases, underscoring the importance of consulting a clinician if you test positive.

A Single Severe Sunburn in Youth Linked to Higher Skin Cancer Risk
health7 days ago

A Single Severe Sunburn in Youth Linked to Higher Skin Cancer Risk

A 2025 meta-analysis of 17 studies with more than 321,000 participants linked painful, blistering sunburns to higher odds of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Moderate sunburn history increased odds by about 51%, and high-frequency burns by about 69%; severe childhood sunburns may triple risk. While certainty is limited by recall data, researchers urge stronger sun-safety efforts—especially for kids—and note UV exposure as the primary cancer driver. Practical prevention includes avoiding intense midday sun, seeking shade, and using sunscreen.

Expanded heart guidelines could put 81 million Americans on blood pressure meds
health13 days ago

Expanded heart guidelines could put 81 million Americans on blood pressure meds

A new study using NHANES data estimates that the updated 2025 hypertension guidelines would make about 81 million US adults eligible for blood pressure medications; roughly 23 million would become newly eligible and about 9.7 million are currently untreated. Implementing the guidelines could reduce all-cause mortality by about 23% and cardiovascular deaths by about 50% over the next 10 years, with the biggest benefits for those with diabetes. Experts stress that meds work best when paired with lifestyle changes and efforts to improve adherence.

West Nile Virus Season: Key symptoms, causes, and top prevention products
health13 days ago

West Nile Virus Season: Key symptoms, causes, and top prevention products

West Nile virus peaks in late summer when warm weather brings more mosquitoes. Most infections are asymptomatic; about 20% cause flu-like fever, while fewer than 1% can lead to serious brain or spinal cord illness. There’s no vaccine or specific treatment, so prevention is essential: avoid peak mosquito hours, use effective repellents, and reduce standing water around your home. The piece also highlights expert-approved products such as mosquito dunks, rechargeable repellent devices, indoor/outdoor bug zappers, and DEET or picaridin-based sprays to lower bite risk. If you develop high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, or other warning signs, seek medical care promptly.

Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan, Should Define Aging Progress
health15 days ago

Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan, Should Define Aging Progress

The piece argues that the real aging crisis is not longer lifespans but healthspan—the years lived in good health. Despite rising life expectancy, healthy years are shrinking due to chronic illness and cognitive decline, highlighting a gap between lifespan and healthspan. It spotlights McMaster University’s new Healthspan Institute, funded with $50 million from the McCall MacBain Foundation, which aims to delay disease onset and preserve physical and cognitive function through evidence-based prevention. The article also critiques wellness industry hype and emphasizes the importance of social determinants—safe streets, affordable housing, sleep, food, and social connection—in shaping healthspan, calling for early, equitable investment in prevention to reduce costly chronic diseases.

Healthy midlife vascular health linked to about 13 extra dementia-free years
health19 days ago

Healthy midlife vascular health linked to about 13 extra dementia-free years

A large US-China study of 12,409 participants over a median 26 years found that keeping blood pressure normal, avoiding diabetes, and not smoking between ages 45 and 65 is associated with about 13 additional years dementia-free, suggesting midlife vascular health may delay dementia (though causality isn’t proven and disparities across sex and race were noted).

Florida issues dengue alerts as locally acquired cases rise; how to guard against mosquitoes
public-health19 days ago

Florida issues dengue alerts as locally acquired cases rise; how to guard against mosquitoes

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued Aug. 3 alerts for dengue after a locally acquired case; three locally acquired dengue cases were reported between July 26 and Aug. 1, with four confirmed in 2026 across Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Officials emphasize preventing mosquito-borne illness by eliminating standing water, using repellent (especially at dusk and dawn), securing entrances with screens, wearing long sleeves and pants, cleaning rain gutters, replacing outdoor water, and requesting mosquito inspections.