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Norovirus, often known as the "stomach flu", is spreading in the
Northeast, with over 13% of tests coming back positive since late
January, the highest rates since April last year, according to CDC data.
While norovirus is seasonal and peaks in colder months, nationally,
positivity rates have been between 10% and 12.5% since early January,
lower than last year's peak rates of over 16% in mid-March. The virus
spreads easily through contaminated food, water, and surfaces, causing
gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, with
no specific treatment available.
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New research published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests that
menthol cigarette bans are effective at prompting smokers to quit, with
about a quarter of menthol smokers stopping within a year or two after
bans are implemented. The study, which analyzed data from over 170 US
localities, two states, several countries, and the European Union, found that
national bans were particularly successful in reducing menthol cigarette
smoking rates.
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New research published in Nature Medicine suggests that high levels of
niacin, a type of vitamin B3 found in various foods, including meat and
nuts, may elevate the risk of heart disease by triggering inflammation
and damaging blood vessels. Dr. Stanley Hazen and his team
discovered
a substance in blood samples indicating excess niacin levels, correlating
with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in over 3,000
adults studied. The findings could potentially lead to the development of
medications to reduce blood vessel inflammation and improve
cardiovascular health.
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A new evidence review published in JAMA Psychiatry reveals that
maternal mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancyrelated deaths in the US, with nearly 1 in 4 maternal deaths attributed to
mental illness. Despite the alarming statistics, national initiatives often fail
to prioritize mental health, and access to comprehensive maternity care
remains limited, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups.
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A survey conducted by the RAND Corporation reveals that
approximately 42% of adults in the United States personally know
someone who has died from a drug overdose. The study underscores the
profound impact of the nation's overdose crisis, with respondents reporting
an average of two individuals known to them who have succumbed to
overdose, highlighting the extensive reach of this issue.
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