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Obesity in the US Fast Facts

Here’s a look at obesity in the United States. A person is considered to be obese when he or she reaches a particular body mass index (BMI). Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while adults with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Obesity can increase the risk

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Autism Fast Facts

Here is a look at autism. Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incorporates a group of neurodevelopmental disorders causing impaired communication skills and social skills. ASD generally starts before three years of age and lasts a lifetime, but early intervention plays a role in treatment and progress. ASD is about four times more common among

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Zika Virus Infection Fast Facts

Here’s a look at Zika virus, an illness spread through mosquito bites that can cause birth defects and other neurological defects. Facts Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and CNN Zika virus is a flavivirus, part of the same family as yellow fever, West Nile, chikungunya and dengue fever.

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COVID-19 vaccine isn’t linked to heart problems in young people — but doctors still worry parents will be scared to vaccinate their children

Pediatricians worry parents will misinterpret a finding by advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and become scared — for no reason — to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Last week, members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices put out a statement that they had investigated reports of a heart

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Diabetes Fast Facts

Here’s a look at diabetes, a disease that affects millions of people around the world. Diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. The disease can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, limb amputations and premature death. Facts Worldwide,

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How aviation geeks have coped with lockdown

For some people, the gradual and partial opening up of the world again means the chance to revisit favorite places, see family, or simply expand our horizons. But for some, it’s the journey itself that’s the most exciting. Self-styled “avgeeks,” or aviation enthusiasts, saw their hobby brutally curtailed by the pandemic. And while they’ve been

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Young Americans are lagging with COVID-19 vaccines. These threats have experts pushing them to get shots

Experts are turning their focus in the fight against COVID-19 to vaccinating young Americans — warning that even though they don’t face a high chance of serious illness, they still risk long-term symptoms if they get coronavirus. The United States has so far made significant progress in vaccinating adults and a new milestone was achieved

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How to fly safely this summer

If you’re planning to fly for Memorial Day or a summer holiday, cinch up your seat belt. Air travel in the United States has recently approached pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration. That means a return to packed flights this summer — along with no more empty middle seats — and

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Young Americans are lagging behind with Covid-19 vaccines. And these threats have experts pushing for their vaccination

Experts are turning their focus in the fight against Covid-19 to vaccinating young Americans — warning that even though they don’t face a high chance of serious illness, they still risk long-term symptoms if they get coronavirus. The United States has so far made significant progress in vaccinating adults. At least 25 states, plus Washington,

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Half of US states have fully vaccinated at least 50% of adults. The impact is starting to come into focus

At least 25 states, plus Washington, DC, have now fully vaccinated at least half of their adult residents, data published Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Those states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon,

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Children are at increased risk of accidental poisoning from marijuana edibles, study finds

Children are at increased risk of accidental poisoning from edibles and other products made from marijuana, according to a new study analyzing calls to poison control centers from January 2017 through December 2019. Calls about poisoning as a result of consuming products such as weed concentrates, extracts, beverages, vape juice and edibles more often involved

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Half of US states have fully vaccinated at least 50% of adults. We need to keep going to prevent future outbreaks, official says

At least 25 states — plus Washington, DC — have now fully vaccinated at least half of their adults, data published Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Those states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,

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US COVID-19 vaccination pace is down by nearly half in the last month. These states slow to vaccinate may struggle this summer, expert warns

For many, a nationwide return to normalcy from the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to accelerate into the summer as more businesses and state governments prepare for a large-scale reopening. Sports stadiums are filling up, mask mandates are being shed, and travel and tourism industries anticipate a rebound with cruise lines planning for passengers once again.

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Sarin Fast Facts

Here’s some background information about sarin, a man-made nerve agent developed for chemical warfare. Facts Sarin is a liquid that is clear, colorless, tasteless and odorless. Sarin is an extremely volatile nerve agent because of its ability to change from liquid to gas. If it evaporates into a gas, it can spread into the environment.

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Cholera Fast Facts

Here’s a look at cholera, an acute diarrheal infection that has killed thousands of people worldwide. Facts Cholera is contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. The bacteria is usually found in water contaminated with feces. Dehydration from rapid loss of body fluids is the reason the disease can be

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