Food banks squeezed by high levels of need and fewer donations are bracing for a tough holiday season.
Why it matters: High grocery prices mean consumers are less likely to donate food this holiday season — putting nonprofits in a tough spot for Thanksgiving and Christmas, newly released data shows.
Scientists researching what causes an itch in skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis have made a major breakthrough.
Why it matters: The research that has for the first time shown that bacteria can cause itch by activating nerve cells in the skin could help with treating itches that occur in inflammatory skin conditions, per Harvard Medical School scientists whose study was published in the journal Cellon Wednesday.
The number of abortions in the U.S. increased 5% the year before Roe v. Wade was overturned, with women in their 20s accounting for nearly 6 in 10 of the procedures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The 2021 data from CDC's annual abortion incidence report track with earlier research showing demand for abortions was trending upward before the Supreme Court struck down federal protection of the procedure.
Leading hospital trade groups accused Medicare Advantage giant UnitedHealthcare and others of flouting new federal rules meant to crack down on insurers' restrictions on medically necessary care.
Why it matters: Their complaints could serve as an early test of how the Biden administration will enforce the new requirements.
Only about 17% of nursing home residents and 2% of staff are up to date on their COVID-19 shots as cases rise across the country and health officials prepare for another seasonal tripledemic of respiratory diseases.
The big picture: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures show takeup of the updated vaccine is lagging in the high-risk setting and could reflect the troubled rollout of updated shots that slowed distribution to long-term care facilities.
Virus activity is picking up again as millions of Americans crisscross the country for Thanksgiving, taking fewer precautions to protect themselves against illness as concerns about COVID-19 fade away.
Why it matters: Indoor holiday gatherings are expected to fuel a spike in cases of COVID-19, RSV and the flu — and with vaccinations against all three respiratory viruses lagging, health experts worry hospitals could be slammed again this winter.
