All articles tagged with #youth health
A Texas teen's death linked to energy drink caffeine has renewed concerns about the safety of caffeinated beverages for young people, with a lawsuit alleging excessive caffeine contributed to the death and grieving families calling for stronger safeguards; the case also recalls Anais Fournier's 2011 death to highlight potential preventable risks.
A young man from Kentucky suffered severe lung damage and a mini heart attack after vaping since age 12, warning others about the permanent health risks of e-cigarettes, which can cause lifelong lung scarring and other serious health issues.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing among youth due to rising obesity rates, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles, with additional contributions from genetic factors and metabolic conditions like insulin resistance.
New research highlights significant long-term health risks for trans-identified female patients using testosterone, including high rates of pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder control issues, sexual dysfunction, and bowel movement problems. Experts warn that these complications mirror those seen in menopausal women but occur decades earlier, raising concerns about the disconnect between the perceived benefits and actual risks of gender-affirming medical interventions.
Colorectal cancer rates among U.S. youths have surged dramatically over the past two decades, with a 500% increase in children aged 10 to 14, 333% in teenagers aged 15 to 19, and 185% in young adults aged 20 to 24. Influenced by genetic and lifestyle factors, this alarming trend underscores the need for greater awareness and tailored preventive measures.
Influencers on TikTok are promoting steroid-like drugs, including selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), to young audiences, according to a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate. These unregulated substances, often sold as "legal steroids," pose serious health risks such as heart attack and psychosis. The report found that videos promoting these drugs, using hashtags like #teenfitness, have been viewed 420 million times by people aged 18 to 24 in the past three years. The researchers are calling for lawmakers to crack down on sales of these substances and for TikTok to increase scrutiny of its content.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has signed a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, making it the 11th state to do so. The law outlaws those under 18 from being prescribed hormone therapy and fully reversible puberty blockers, but contains a unique exemption that permits doctors to prescribe medical therapy if a teenager is considered at risk for self-harm or suicide. The bill also prohibits minors from being prescribed hormone therapy before the age of puberty, something West Virginia physicians say doesn’t happen anyway. Every major medical organization supports gender-affirming care for youths.