StevenSaus

Children who live in cities with excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages tend to have lower body mass index (BMI) than those who live in cities that do not have such taxes, according to new data from California.

With both childhood obesity and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages linked to CVD risk, several US cities have enacted taxes on these drinks over the past decade that have decreased how much people not only buy but also consume them.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/15147089

A new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference links wildfire smoke to a higher risk of new dementia diagnoses. Conducted over ten years in California, the study analyzed health records of more than 1.2 million socioeconomically diverse Kaiser Permanente members aged 60 and older. Holly Elser, M.D., Ph.D., an author of the study, stated, "Previous research has found that exposure to PM2.5 is associated with dementia, but in light of our large, long-term study, it's apparent the risk from exposure due to wildfire smoke is an even bigger concern." The study found that wildfire smoke poses a stronger dementia risk than other sources of PM2.5 air pollution.

A new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference links wildfire smoke to a higher risk of new dementia diagnoses. Conducted over ten years in California, the study analyzed health records of more than 1.2 million socioeconomically diverse Kaiser Permanente members aged 60 and older. Holly Elser, M.D., Ph.D., an author of the study, stated, "Previous research has found that exposure to PM2.5 is associated with dementia, but in light of our large, long-term study, it's apparent the risk from exposure due to wildfire smoke is an even bigger concern." The study found that wildfire smoke poses a stronger dementia risk than other sources of PM2.5 air pollution.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18128537

People who live near East Palestine, Ohio, can now get $25,000 apiece for any injuries they sustained after last year’s Norfolk Southern freight train derailment on top of whatever money they get for property damage as part of the $600 million class-action settlement.

The lawyers who negotiated the deal have increased the estimated injury payment from the original $10,000 because they now have more information about how many claims there will be. One of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Adam Gomez, said the original estimate was conservative to ensure that no one will receive less than they were promised as part of the settlement.

“We are not looking to over promise and under deliver in any way shape or form to the class,” Gomez said.

The lawyers plan to hold a Zoom call for residents Thursday evening to explain why the health payment is increasing and why they believe it is the right amount.

That payment for health problems is on top of the up to $70,000 households can receive for property damage. But to get the injury payment, residents who live within ten miles of where the train derailed have to agree before the Aug. 22 deadline to give up the right to sue the railroad or anyone else involved down the road even if they develop cancer or other serious health conditions later.

Around a quarter of adolescent girls who have been in relationships have endured physical or sexual violence, a World Health Organization study said on Tuesday, calling for more prevention actions. The WHO analysis published in the Lancet medical journal was based on surveys from thousands of adolescent girls aged between 15 and 19 from 154 countries and areas. It showed that 24% of them had been subjected to intimate partner violence at least once, with 16% reporting it in the past year.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14957202

Mental health inequities are projected to cost the U.S. $14 trillion between now and 2040, according to a new study from the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College and the Deloitte Health Equity Institute.

The analysis concluded that unaddressed mental health conditions create a significant economic burden for the country and that eliminating inequities in treatment could lead to significant savings on health care.

Mental health inequities are projected to cost the U.S. $14 trillion between now and 2040, according to a new study from the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College and the Deloitte Health Equity Institute.

The analysis concluded that unaddressed mental health conditions create a significant economic burden for the country and that eliminating inequities in treatment could lead to significant savings on health care.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14954788

West Virginia is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review rulings that found the state’s refusal to cover certain health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance is discriminatory, Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Thursday.

West Virginia is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review rulings that found the state’s refusal to cover certain health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance is discriminatory, Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Thursday.

Dementia patients at Kaiser Permanente and UCSF Health have increasingly utilized telehealth services. A study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine revealed a significant rise in telehealth usage among these patients, who often face travel difficulties due to complex medical issues. The study compared data from 2019-2020 to 2021-2022, showing a drop in in-person visits and an increase in hybrid and telehealth-only care. Kaiser Permanente primarily used phone visits and offered "virtual rooming," while UCSF favored video visits and provided tech support in patients' preferred languages.

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14912977

Toxic “forever chemicals” are increasingly appearing in U.S. pesticides — contaminating waterways and posing a possible threat to human health, a new study has found.

Pesticides containing these compounds, called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are used widely nationwide on staple foods, such as corn, wheat, kale, spinach, apples and strawberries, according to the study, published Wednesday in Environmental Health Perspectives.

Toxic “forever chemicals” are increasingly appearing in U.S. pesticides — contaminating waterways and posing a possible threat to human health, a new study has found.

Pesticides containing these compounds, called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are used widely nationwide on staple foods, such as corn, wheat, kale, spinach, apples and strawberries, according to the study, published Wednesday in Environmental Health Perspectives.