Health

A single pellet of recycled plastic can contain over 80 different chemicals. A new study by researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Leipzig shows that recycled polyethylene plastic can leach chemicals into water, causing impacts on the hormone systems and lipid metabolism of zebrafish larvae.

Nearly two years after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, new findings from the largest post-disaster health study in Hawaiʻi’s history—led by the University of Hawaiʻi—paint a complex picture: steady progress in some areas of recovery, but continued health and housing challenges, particularly for children and vulnerable groups.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine estimates the potential effects on Medicaid enrollment, uninsurance, financial strain, health care access, and health outcomes from potential Medicaid budget cuts being considered in Congress, including the House reconciliation bill advanced in May.

In today’s world, we hear a lot about what we should eat: more vegetables, less sugar and salt, and to obtain locally sourced, sustainable, and nutrient-rich food. But there’s a fundamental question most people don’t think about: How do we actually know what is in our food? The answer lies in food composition databases (FCDBs), which are collections of data about the nutritional content of different foods, from macronutrients like protein and fat, to vitamins, minerals and specialized biomolecules like antioxidants and phytochemicals.

In children with undernutrition, increasing weight in a child’s first decade of life can lead to significantly taller adults—with no increase in the risk of obesity or high blood pressure later in life, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Did you know that around one in two women in the UK will experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives? And for women who engage in high-intensity exercise, that figure rises to 63%.

A few minutes of scrolling on TikTok may show you dozens of beautiful, healthy dishes from cultures all around the world. But do these trendy recipes ever leave the “For You” page?

A Swedish multi-center study led by researchers at Lund University shows a link between low fiber consumption and the presence of unstable or high-risk plaque in coronary arteries—the type of plaque that can trigger blood clots and cause heart attacks. The study also links dietary patterns to the composition of the plaques, i.e., how potentially dangerous they are.

Today, we know that individual climate action can yield great benefits for human health, and in discussions about lifestyle, health care professionals have the opportunity to highlight the benefits of a plant-forward diet and physical activity for both individual patient outcomes as well as planetary health. But how are such messages received by patients?

Various reports have linked loneliness to premature death, with some—including the U.S. Surgeon General—suggesting that loneliness is as harmful to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.