Health experts in the United States are at odds over whether people should wear a face mask while venturing beyond their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. But before digging into that debate, let's go straight to what the experts agree on. N95 respirator masks and surgical masks should be reserved...
For 1st Time in 4 Years, US Life Expectancy Rises — a Little
NEW YORK — Life expectancy in the United States is up for the first time in four years. The increase is small — just a month — but marks at least a temporary halt to a downward trend. The rise is due to lower death rates for cancer and drug...
Americans Evacuated From China Virus Zone Pass Health Test
WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials offered a reality check Tuesday about the scary new virus from China: They're expanding screenings of international travelers and taking other precautions but for now, they insist the risk to Americans is very low. “At this point Americans should not worry for their own safety,”...
'Tough Year' for Measles and Other Infectious Diseases in US
NEW YORK — This year, the germs roared back. Measles tripled. Hepatitis A mushroomed. A rare but deadly mosquito-borne disease increased. And that was just the United States. Globally, there was an explosion of measles in many countries, an unrelenting Ebola outbreak in Africa and a surge in dengue fever...
Number of US Overdose Deaths Appears to Be Falling
NEW YORK — U.S. overdose deaths last year likely fell for the first time in nearly three decades, preliminary numbers suggest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday posted data showing nearly 68,000 drug overdose deaths were reported last year. The number may go up as more investigations...
School Bells Will Keep Ringing Early Thanks to Gov. Brown Veto
SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill Thursday requiring that California middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., saying the decision of when to start classes should be up to schools not the state. Supporters of the bill cited research that says delaying school start...
Why Is There Scant Research on Guns in America? Your Questions Answered.
On Valentine’s Day, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He killed 17 students and teachers and injured at least a dozen others. The Parkland shooting is currently the ninth deadliest single-day mass shooting on U.S. soil. Like other recent mass shootings, the...
Why Is There Scant Research on Guns in America? Your Questions Answered.
On Valentine’s Day, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He killed 17 students and teachers and injured at least a dozen others. The Parkland shooting is currently the ninth deadliest single-day mass shooting on U.S. soil. Like other recent mass shootings, the...