Talking through a mask is not easy, but these tips can help
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 10, 2020
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has ideas for counteracting the effects of muffled voices and the lost ability to read lips and facial expressions.
It’s official: Omicron causes less severe COVID-19 illness than prior variants, CDC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant is much less likely to cause severe illness and death than its predecessors, according to a new analysis of U.S. data from December 2020 through mid-January 2022.
Few Medicare recipients enroll in cardiac rehab, despite expanded benefits
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 11, 2021
Cardiac rehab participation rose among Medicare recipients with heart failure after coverage expansion in 2014, but the numbers remain abysmally low at less than 10%, a new study has found.
CDC: Prevalence of severe arthritis pain has risen across U.S.
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 04, 2022
Certain states are especially ripe for arthritis-related health interventions, a study of state data reveals.
A common diabetes medication may lower mortality risk among nursing home residents with COVID-19
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 01, 2020
A study involving hundreds of Veterans Affairs patients shows a link between the diabetes drug metformin and a lower risk of death from COVID-19.
Location tracking reveals how COVID-19 may spread between nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 24, 2020
Tracking de-identified smartphone movement between nursing homes confirms that shared staff is a likely source of COVID-19 transmission, investigators say.
CDC: Prepare for rebound in TB cases post-pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 21, 2022
A 20% decline in tuberculosis cases in 2020 may be followed by an uptick once the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, according to CDC investigators. Clinicians should be prepared to detect cases and control spread,...
Norovirus outbreaks trouble LTCFs; prevention needed, CDC researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
During the study period, 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico reported more than 13,000 norovirus outbreaks and upwards of 410,000 outbreak-associated cases in long-term care facilities.
MRSA and VRE persist in resident rooms, nursing home study finds
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 18, 2022
Two common types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can linger in resident rooms — even during changes of occupancy, a new facility study finds.
Blood thinner reduces acute-care stays of COVID-19 patients: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 06, 2021
Moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients who receive a full dose of heparin have less need for mechanical ventilation, and improved chances of leaving the hospital, a new trial has found.