Health

Masking helped protect children from the virus last fall, a C.D.C. study suggests.

Published

3 years ago

March 12, 2022

Masking helped protect children from the virus last fall, a C.D.C. study suggests.

Increasingly more American college districts have dropped masks mandates in current weeks as coronavirus instances plunged throughout america. However they continue to be a topic of debate amongst some college students and their dad and mom, and a research launched on Tuesday by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention recommended that these mandates had helped shield youngsters and lecturers from the coronavirus final fall.

The research, inspecting public college districts in Arkansas from August to October because the Delta variant unfold, discovered that districts with full masks necessities had 23 p.c decrease charges of the coronavirus amongst college students and workers members than districts with out the mandates.

It was not clear whether or not the identical would have been true as soon as the Delta variant was overtaken by Omicron, which is extra contagious and unfold quickly amongst youngsters and adults alike.

The C.D.C. has confronted criticism from scientists previously for overstating the advantages of college masking based mostly on what some researchers have described as a flawed research out of Arizona. Some research from overseas have additionally discovered that masks mandates weren’t related to decrease charges of the coronavirus in youngsters.

However some scientists mentioned that the most recent C.D.C. research had steered away from probably the most severe methodological issues and had strengthened the proof for masks defending some youngsters from the coronavirus.

“It passes the odor take a look at,” Louise-Anne McNutt, a former C.D.C. Epidemic Intelligence Service officer and an epidemiologist on the State College of New York at Albany, mentioned of the research. “The estimates of the affect of masks are per different research that present masks have a modest, however vital, discount of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.”

The research in contrast coronavirus case charges amongst 233 Arkansas districts. A few third of the districts had full masks mandates, a fifth required masks solely in sure settings or conditions, and half had no masks insurance policies.

It took into consideration workers and pupil vaccination charges and socioeconomic standing. It additionally adjusted for coronavirus charges within the surrounding neighborhood — an try, the research’s authors mentioned, to partially management for a way a lot testing was occurring in a given a part of the state. Dr. McNutt, although, mentioned that the research would have benefited from extra particulars on statewide testing ranges.

Districts with full masks mandates had decrease coronavirus charges relative to the case charges within the surrounding neighborhood than districts with out the mandates, the research discovered. And amongst roughly two dozen districts that put in place masks mandates in the midst of the research interval, case charges afterward dropped greater than would have been anticipated from adjustments in neighborhood case charges on the similar time, the research mentioned.

Partial masking insurance policies didn’t present as sturdy an impact as full masks mandates.

The research didn’t account for faculties’ prevention efforts past masking, like ventilating lecture rooms. Jonathan Ketcham, an economist specializing in well being care at Arizona State College, mentioned that might be an “vital flaw within the research itself.”

Jason Abaluck, an economics professor at Yale College’s College of Administration who helped lead a big trial on masking in Bangladesh, additionally cautioned that the colleges with masks mandates may have differed from these with out them in different methods, like adherence to distancing measures. He mentioned that the research may have extra carefully matched close by faculties with totally different masking insurance policies to check their results.

However Dr. Abaluck mentioned the C.D.C. research was an enchancment on earlier analysis.

“This research and the broader literature on masking means that in locations the place hospitalization and deaths are very excessive, the advantages of masks carrying in faculties could also be appreciable,” he mentioned.

Nonetheless, he famous that masks may cause discomfort and make it more durable for youngsters to speak. “Determining how extreme an outbreak needs to be to warrant masks mandates in faculties,” he mentioned, “requires making finest guesses in regards to the prices, which stay extremely unsure given current proof.”

Health

6 tips to reduce alcohol use and cancer risk after surgeon general's warning

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

6 tips to reduce alcohol use and cancer risk after surgeon general's warning

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U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned in a recent advisory about alcohol use increasing cancer risk.

The advisory notes that alcohol can increase the risk of throat, liver, esophageal, mouth, larynx (voice box), colon and rectal cancers, making it the “third leading preventable cause of cancer” in the U.S.

This guidance follows the rise of the “sober curious” trend, with younger generations scaling back on how much they drink or choosing not to partake at all.

ALCOHOL LINKED TO CANCER RISK IN US SURGEON GENERAL’S NEW ADVISORY

For those who are interested in curbing their alcohol use, here are six tips on how to do so safely.

The surgeon general’s advisory noted that alcohol-related cancer deaths even occurred in some moderate drinkers. (iStock)

1. Analyze your alcohol dependence

Alcohol is “one of the most serious substances” when it comes to detoxification, sometimes requiring medical hospitalization to manage withdrawal symptoms, according to Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director at the Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason, Ohio.

“If you are one of the 40% of Americans who is trying to stop alcohol use, sometimes it may be necessary to seek counseling services.”

Tuell, who is also an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, recommended speaking to a primary care physician before discontinuing years of extreme alcohol use.

DOES ‘DRY JANUARY’ ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

Dr. Adi Jaffe, PhD, CEO of addiction recovery platform IGNTD in Los Angeles, noted that in some cases, it may be “medically inadvisable to just quit” if alcohol dependence is severe.

People who drink heavily, or consume five to seven drinks a day, should consult their doctor before quitting, one addiction specialist recommended. (iStock)

“You must consult with a medical professional before stopping,” said Jaffe, author of the book “Unhooked.” “This is especially true if you get tremors, shaking or sweatiness when you don’t drink, even for a day or two.”

“Those are markers of somebody who’s more likely to have a grand mal seizure if they just stop cold turkey.”

2. Set clear goals and track patterns

For people who haven’t had a “necessarily problematic” relationship with alcohol and are just looking to cut back, Tuell recommended setting clear goals to get there.

DRINKING ALCOHOL IS LINKED TO CANCER, EXPERTS SAY

“With any behaviors that you plan to change, what are clear, realistic and specific goals on how much or how often you plan to drink?” he asked.

“Perhaps you have the goal of only drinking on weekends, or perhaps you limit the amount of alcohol to two drinks per occasion.”

Writing down your drinking behaviors can help identify triggers, experts say. (iStock)

Tuell suggested tracking your drinking by keeping a journal of when, where and how much you drink.

“This helps to identify patterns or triggers that may be associated with your mood, such as work stress or family stress and anxieties,” he said.

Planning alcohol-free days and then gradually increasing the number of those days each week can be effective, the expert added.

3. Avoid triggers and find alternatives

After tracking when, where and how much you drink, it may become clear what triggers you to drink.

Tuell encouraged identifying these situations, emotions and behaviors and finding alternative ways to handle them.

‘ALCOHOL GENE’ COULD PREDICT HOW COCKTAILS MAY AFFECT YOU — AND THERE’S A TEST FOR IT

“These triggers will frequently lead to behaviors that give us relief and/or a reward, and many times it is not a healthy way of coping,” he said.

“Choose non-alcoholic beverages in social settings … like sparkling water, mocktails or herbal teas, to satisfy the habit of having a drink … or avoid places where heavy drinking occurs.”

Friends toasting each other with wine, smiling, sitting in restaurant

Social pressure to drink can pose a major temptation, according to experts. (iStock)

Jaffe commented that focusing on less drinking won’t be as effective as drinking something else, like a non-alcoholic drink, or doing a different activity instead.

SEVERE HEALTH RISKS OF VAPING AND E-CIGARETTES, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUTH, SAY EXPERTS

Tuell agreed that finding a healthier alternative to bad behaviors is a good way to stop them.

This could include stress-relieving practices like exercising, reading, journaling or spending more time with supportive friends.

woman sitting on an exercise mat doing yoga and stretching

Adding movement as a replacement for drinking can help curb bad habits. (iStock)

Movement, mindfulness exercises and meditation can also be helpful practices throughout the day, according to Jaffe.

“You can do those practices while you’re brushing your teeth or while you’re making your coffee,” he said. “Meditation practices as short as five or 10 minutes can have an incredible impact on your stress response in life.”

4. Change your environment

Removing temptations from your environment is a good way to prevent reaching for them, according to experts.

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Tuell suggested removing alcohol from your home or limiting activities that make it more accessible, such as hanging out at bars.

“Smell is the strongest of the five senses connected to memory,” he added.

Jaffe agreed that environment “plays a massive role” in how people interact with alcohol.

“If you’re looking to reduce your drinking … having other people who are participating in the journey with you will go a long way toward helping you meet your goals of reduction.”

5. Practice saying ‘no’ and surround yourself with support

The social pressures of drinking can be a trigger, but learning to say “no” is powerful. Tuell recommended being prepared with a “polite but firm” response in situations where you might feel pressured to drink.

‘I’M A PSYCHOLOGIST – HERE’S HOW TO FINALLY BREAK YOUR BAD HABITS’

This can be as simple as, “No, thanks, I’m taking a break from drinking” or “I’m good, thanks.”

Tuell advises surrounding yourself with supportive individuals, like trusted friends or family members with whom you can share your goals.

Waiter offers wine to a woman who refuses

Experts recommend surrounding yourself with supportive individuals with whom you can share your goals. (iStock)

He also suggested joining a support group, “like Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery or Women for Sobriety.”

“If you are one of the 40% of Americans who is trying to stop alcohol use, sometimes it may be necessary to seek counseling services.”

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Tuell also mentioned that methods like cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective.

6. Be kind to yourself

Reflecting on the reasons you’re looking to reduce alcohol intake — whether it’s to improve your health, save money, strengthen relationships or another motivating factor — can help keep you on the right path, according to Tuell.

“Setbacks are normal. So be kind to yourself and focus on progress, not perfection.”

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He also encouraged celebrating milestones by enjoying something non-alcohol-related, such as a massage, a round of golf, a shopping trip or another fun outing.

“To make changes, it takes time,” Tuell said. “Setbacks are normal. So be kind to yourself and focus on progress, not perfection.”

“If you keep moving forward one step at a time, you will get to a point where you’re drinking substantially less.” (iStock)

While about 40% of people quit their New Year’s resolutions before the end of January, according to Jaffe, the specialist said it’s important to not be discouraged by slip-ups.

“Learn from it and just keep going,” he advised.

“If you keep moving forward one step at a time, you will get to a point where you’re drinking substantially less.”

Health

Dietitian Shares 4 Protein-Packed Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Dietitian Shares 4 Protein-Packed Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss Packed With Protein and Fiber | Woman’s World

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Health

Alcohol linked to cancer in health advisory as doctors react

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Alcohol linked to cancer in health advisory as doctors react

Fox News’ Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in health care, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.

TOP 3:

– US surgeon general releases advisory linking alcohol to cancer

– Neurosurgeon warns of alcohol’s negative health effects: “Bad for the brain’

– Fast-spreading virus in China sparks pandemic concerns

The U.S. surgeon general has released a new advisory warning of alcohol-related cancer risk. Dr. Vivek Murthy issued the guidance last week following research that has linked alcohol to at least seven types of cancer. (iStock)