Author: LocalHealthGuideEditor
Hospice care for those with dementia falls far short of meeting people’s needs at the end of life
Strikingly, only 12% of Americans with dementia ever enroll in hospice. Among those who do, one-third are near death. This is in stark contrast to the cancer population: Patients over 60 with cancer enroll in hospice 70% of the time. In my experience caring for dementia patients, the underuse of hospice by dementia patients has more to do with how hospice is structured and paid for in the U.S. than it does patient preference or differences between cancer and dementia.
Heart rate zones aren’t a perfect measure of exercise intensity, but regularly getting your heart pumping is still important for fitness
With varying guidelines around heart rate zones and conflicting evidence on the potential benefits of training in each zone, exercisers may be left wondering what to do.
King County launches ‘bup’ hotline.
Buprenorphine, also called suboxone, is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is one of the best available treatments to alleviate withdrawal, reduce cravings, and reduce overdose risk by about half when taken as directed. It works by binding to the same receptors that opioids like fentanyl bind to, but it only turns them on about halfway. That keeps people from feeling sick and helps with their cravings.
Cheers to health? Uncovering myths around the health benefits of moderate drinking
Moderate drinkers often lead balanced lifestyles in other areas, too, which may contribute to their perceived better health. It is not just moderate drinking, but also their healthier overall opportunities and choices, such as better health-care access and self-care, that make them seem healthier.
Many travel nurses opt for temporary assignments because of the autonomy and opportunities − not just the big boost in pay
That autonomy allowed them to pursue personal and professional interests that were meaningful to them, and it made some of the other hassles, such as long commutes, worth it.
Cardiovascular risks and COVID-19: New research confirms the benefits of vaccination
A new study found that common cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 were substantially reduced in people who were vaccinated, with protective effects lasting up to a year after vaccination.
The autistic brain is different. It comes with limitations, but it also has its strengths.
ASK PUBLIC HEALTH: WHAT ARE THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STAYING AT HOME WHEN SICK?
We sat down with Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease at Public Health – Seattle & King County to get the latest update and hear what our community can do to continue to prevent illness and what parents, schools, and our community should know.
What are the health costs of air pollution, and what can we do about it?
Have you ever noticed the hazy smog that hangs over cities or the lingering smell of exhaust fumes from traffic? These are just a few noticeable signs of air pollution, a threat that can have a significant effect on our health and well-being.
Leprosy cases are rising in the US – what is the ancient disease and why is it spreading now?
In the United States, leprosy has been entrenched for more than a century in parts of the South where people came into contact with armadillos, the principle proven linkage from animal to humans. However, the more recent outbreaks in the Southeast, especially Florida, have not been associated with animal exposure.
Washington streamlines guidance for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses
The Washington State Department of Health announced updated guidance for what to do when someone is sick with COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses.
Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill, will be on shelves soon − here are some key things to know
Within weeks, for the first time in the U.S. consumers will be able to find a birth control pill on retail shelves.
Beware online mental health chatbots, UW specialists warn
AI chatbots may someday play an important role in mental health care, but many currently online are untested and unsafe.
First Cancer TIL Therapy Gets FDA Approval for Advanced Melanoma
In this treatment, immune cells from the patient’s tumor are collected and expanded in culture and then infused back into the patient.
By looking for fragments of DNA that have escaped from tumors into the bloodstream, or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), doctors may be able to identify which of their patients with colorectal cancer need chemotherapy after surgery.