Author: Rodrigo H

As a physician, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects when infections are not properly prevented. This is why I am such a vocal advocate of vaccinations, especially against meningococcal disease. My commitment to this purpose is not only to prevent disease, but also to ensure that the health care system does not put patients at risk. Recent discussions about changes to established meningococcal disease vaccination schedules are deeply concerning to me, as they may unnecessarily put young people at risk. See care and gaps Growing up in Mumbai, India, I often saw health workers traveling to communities to administer…

CNN — New infections of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) are no longer as closely tracked or reported as during public health emergencies. Instead, U.S. authorities are now focused on testing the contents of Americans’ wastewater to monitor for the virus. To identify virus levels and larger trends, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relies on an extensive network of sampling sites at wastewater treatment facilities across the country. The surveillance network covers approximately 43% of the population. This process does not accurately count the number of cases, and measurements can fluctuate based on sewage flow in a particular…

Dear Liz: My wife and I are withdrawing an unusually large amount of money from our IRA for a 20% down payment on the construction of a new nursing home. Unfortunately, this withdrawal will cause your modified adjusted gross income to exceed the limit and increase your Medicare premiums in 2026. Is there a way to avoid this increase?A: You have the right to appeal a premium increase, but typically for your appeal to be successful you must have experienced a decrease in income due to retirement, death of a spouse, divorce, etc. It is necessary. For example, temporary increases…

Whether you only shop online or love going to the mall, you probably want to find the best deals. In this economy, every dollar counts, and using artificial intelligence as your shopping assistant can save you money.Considering ChatGPT has the largest user base and user-generated resources, I decided to give it a try to see how it works as a personal shopper. However, I didn’t just use regular ChatGPT, I used a custom GPT. ChatGPT’s plugin functionality was recently deprecated. So instead of installing a plugin like Aardvark AI that allows you to search for products in real time without…

I don’t mean to brag, but I’m one of the healthiest people I know. At my age, when most of my colleagues are complaining of new pains every day, I am in the best shape of my life. I follow people half my age at the gym, run 5kms, and salsa dance regularly. And I didn’t even have a sniffle during cold and flu season last year. what is my secret? Well, my diet is a big part of it. I’ve been writing about nutrition for more than 20 years and have learned that the standard American diet has been…

You’ve probably heard health and nutrition experts stress the benefits of eating a healthy, balanced breakfast. Breakfast isn’t called the most important meal of the day for nothing.But when you’re on the go, it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to plan and put together a nutritionally balanced meal. Could oatmeal be the answer?Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing whole-grain oatmeal, according to a recent report from market research firm Wise Guy Reports. And that interest is predicted to continue to surge. Market researchers cite both increased health consciousness and increased demand for convenient breakfast options.Whether you’re…

Nicole Fahey, who is six months pregnant, receives the Pfizer vaccine shot from a nurse on November 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images Hide Caption toggle caption Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images Imag/Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images The mothers of nearly 90% of infants who had to be hospitalized with COVID-19 were not vaccinated during pregnancy, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infants too young to be vaccinated had the highest coronavirus hospitalization rate of…

AUGUSTA, Maine (WMTW) – Mainers gathered at Capitol Park on Saturday to participate in the annual NAMI-Maine Walk, an event aimed at raising awareness about mental health.Participants completed a one-mile loop, followed by food and activities such as tie-dying and bubble-blowing. The event fostered a lively atmosphere while providing a space for open discussions about mental health.“They’re able to have a space where they can spend time with each other in a fun, positive environment,” said event organizer Jill Henderson. “They feel safe knowing that the folks around them care about mental health and access to care for all Mainers.”Attendee…

Stress is woven into the human experience. As we get older, it is expected that we will have more challenges and hardships, not just health concerns, such as relationships, career, and child-rearing. Add to that the fear of big events beyond our control, from climate change to ugly political polarization and global conflict. It can all be a lot. However, how you deal with stress is the key to your growth. It turns out there are some simple strategies that can help reduce anxiety and increase positive emotions. And there’s a lot of science showing they work. You can think…

How does hormone therapy affect heart and metabolic health? Image credit: Santi Nuñez/Stocksy. The study, presented at the 2024 Menopause Society Annual Meeting in Chicago, aims to determine the impact of hormone replacement therapy on various aspects of health. One study reported that long-term use of some hormone therapies may improve markers. A large meta-analysis further found that hormone therapy helps improve insulin sensitivity by restoring estrogen levels.It works by restoring the levels of various hormones (usually, but not always estrogen) in the body. These hormones tend to decline with age, and this process is often the cause of many…