MONDAY, March 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Older Americans on a Medicare Advantage plan could face hospital bills of $1,000 or more if private insurers start charging out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving COVID-19 care, a new study warns. Cost data show that Medicare Advantage patients pay an average $987 out-of-pocket whenContinue Reading

FRIDAY, Feb. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — U.S. hospitals are expected to lose billions again in 2021, leaving them in dire financial shape as the COVID-19 pandemic guts the industry for a second year. Hospitals could lose $53 billion to $122 billion in revenue in 2021, between 4% and 10%Continue Reading

THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) — If you think you can safely exercise without your mask in a gym during the pandemic, two new government reports show you are mistaken. Coronavirus outbreaks at fitness centers in Chicago and Honolulu last summer were likely the result of exercisers and instructorsContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Pregnancy-related high blood pressure can lead to long-term heart risks, new research shows. Compared to those with normal blood pressure during pregnancy, women who developed blood pressure disorders such as preeclampsia and gestational hypertension had significant differences in heart structure and function aContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Modern technology has unraveled an ancient mystery about the death of an Egyptian king. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the mummified remains of Pharaoh Seqenenre Taa II, the Brave, revealed new details about his head injuries not previously found in examinations since hisContinue Reading

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Access to potentially lifesaving 3D mammography isn’t equal, new research shows. “This study was about whether adoption of this technology is equitable. We’re showing that it has not been, even though it has been [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]-approved for a decade now,”Continue Reading

TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Many older Americans lack knowledge about antibiotics, with some admitting to using leftover medication, a new survey reveals. More than 2,200 adults, aged 50 to 80, were questioned. Nine out of 10 said they’re cautious about using antibiotics, and nearly that number knewContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have identified more than 140,000 viruses that live in the human gut, including half that were previously unknown. The number and variety of viruses found in more than 28,000 gut microbiome samples gathered from different parts of the world are surprisingly high,Continue Reading

FRIDAY, Feb. 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Severe winter weather has a grip on much of the United States, which increases the risk of injuries from slipping on ice, shoveling, sports such as skiing and sledding, and car crashes. “One of the most frequently seen causes for visits to theContinue Reading

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17, 2021 (HealthDay News) — As the new coronavirus vaccine rollout gathers speed, elevators will likely become a flash point for businesses hoping to reopen offices while sticking to social distancing. And a new computer simulation suggests that the usual “first-come, first-served” elevator routine is neither safe norContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2021 (HealthDay News) — When New York City was the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic last spring in the United States, nearby Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital was treating more than 400 COVID-19 patients at one time, remembers Dr. Aaron Glatt. Infectious disease experts had warned forContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The coronavirus pandemic has turned many people into clean freaks, but new research suggests that deploying all those extra household disinfectants might be triggering asthma flare-ups. “We became concerned with increased cleaning and disinfecting related to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with people spendingContinue Reading