ArcaMax

According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Americans ages 65 to 69 take an average of 15 prescriptions per year; those ages 80 to 84 have 18 prescriptions. That's in addition to the uncounted over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements and more that people may be taking, alone or in combination.

Health experts are ...Read more

A Canadian study has found that among older adults, an unexpected hospital admission was associated with an increased risk of death within five years of the visit.

The study looked at data on 922,000 Canadians ages 66 and older between 2007 and 2017. Researchers found that 51% of those who died during the study had experienced an unplanned ...Read more

Among the most common ways of getting to work each morning, riding a motorcycle is the most likely to result in a traffic fatality. Motorcycles are 29 times more deadly per passenger-mile than cars, according to Ian Savage, who studies the economics and safety of transportation at Northwestern University.

Per mile, taking a train is roughly ...Read more

The idea of living near a park is generally attractive. Who wouldn't want close access to a bit of green, open space? But if you're in the market for moving closer to a park, take a moment to consider this variable: shape.

A Texas A&M University study found that residents who lived near odd or complex-shaped green spaces had lower mortality ...Read more

Each year, the nation's medical schools produce more than 20,000 graduates with M.D. degrees. Medical school enrollments are rising, too. But supply may not be enough to meet expected demand: By 2032, experts predict a shortage of up to nearly 122,000 physicians nationwide.

The scarcity will not be equally felt. Some cities are already ...Read more

When adult children begin taking care of aging parents, conflict is common and often inevitable as new relationships, dynamics and realities emerge. Autonomy is often a central tension in caregiving, especially at the end of life. A study out of the University of Missouri suggests having difficult, frank conversations to ease tensions.

"...Read more

It's long been known that sleep deprivation adversely affects cognitive function; we just don't seem to think as well or as effectively when we don't get enough rest. But new research out of Michigan State University suggests the ill effects of too little sleep impact mental functioning in other ways.

The researchers looked at how sleep ...Read more

As cancer rates increase, the number of doctors trained to treat cancer patients is declining. A new report by Doximity -- an online networking service for doctors -- says the primary driver is more oncologists are retiring than new ones are being produced.

The shortage will not hit evenly, with cities like Miami, North Port, Florida, and New...Read more

We've all heard the admonitions about how keeping mentally active boosts overall health and longevity. A new study suggests that busy brains might mean shorter lifespans, and excessive brain activity could be a risk factor for dementia.

Researchers documented the phenomenon across multiple species -- from humans to mice to roundworms (!) -- ...Read more

Which is worse for your health: a troubled relationship with a significant other or prolonged problems with parents, siblings and extended family members?

It's long been known that strained intimate relationships can have a significant adverse effect on physical health, but new research suggests the negative impacts of family strife are more ...Read more

The Centers for Disease Control reports that a large number of pregnant women are not getting two critically important vaccines: the Tdap vaccine (to prevent pertussis, also known as whooping cough) and the annual flu shot.

Survey data found that only 55% of pregnant women reported getting a Tdap vaccination and 54% receiving a flu shot last ...Read more

A large national survey, taken from 2016 to 2017 and published in JAMA, reports that people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, cancer or depression are more likely to say they use marijuana than people without such illnesses.

The numbers skew young, with one-quarter of people ages 18 to 34 reporting current ...Read more

Aricept, a drug commonly prescribed to manage cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients, may be associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. A Canadian study looked at more than 220,000 patients prescribed drugs for managing dementia (about 152,000 took Aricept) and found that while the overall hospitalization rate was low, more people who ...Read more