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Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Cyberbullying can cause PTSD symptoms in kids, study finds
Cyberbullying in any form can cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and should be considered an 'adverse childhood experience' (ACE), a recent analysis finds. Writing in BMC Public Health, researchers drew from a nationally representative sample of 13-to-17-year-olds in the United States, homing in on the 53.9 percent of the group that reported having been cyberbullied in the past.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This Type Of Work May Lower Heart Attack Risk For Women, Says New Study
A new study suggests that being self-employed can have an impact on your heart health. Specifically, it can help improve cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, sleep, and activity. Experts have a few theories why this might be, including lower stress and greater freedom to follow a healthy lifestyle. We all know there are a lot of factors that can influence your heart health, from what you eat to your family history, but new research suggests that your work environment might actually have a big influence how likely women are to develop cardiovascular disease. The findings, which are published in the journal BMC Public Health, suggest that being self-employed can have a noticeable influence on factors that lead to your risk of heart attack, stroke, and more. Right now, the study only establishes an association—so don't quit your day job and strike out on your own based purely on these findings. But they do raise a lot of questions about how your workplace can impact your heart and overall health. Here's what the research suggests, plus what doctors want you to keep in mind about the fascinating findings. Meet the experts: Jennifer Wong, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Kimberly Narain, MD, MPH, PhD, lead study author assistant professor-in-residence of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Yanting Wang, MD, an associate professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and director or the Women's Heart Program and Cardio-Obstetrics Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. For the study, researchers analyzed data from 19,400 working adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The researchers crunched the data to look at the link between being self-employed and having cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, binge drinking, sub-optimal sleep duration, and poor mental health. Researchers discovered lower rates of certain cardiovascular risk factors between people who were self-employed and those who were salaried. White women who were self-employed had a 7.4 percent lower risk of obesity, 7 percent lower risk of being physically inactive, and 9.4 percent drop in having poor sleep. The change in risk was slightly different for self-employed women of color. These women had a 6.7 percent lower risk of having a poor diet, 7.3 percent lower risk of being physically inactive, and 8.1 percent lower risk of getting poor sleep. Self-employed white men also saw a drop in certain factors, although it wasn't as noticeable. (Minority men didn't see the same benefits.) The study didn't explore this exact question beyond just finding a link, but there are a few theories, according to Kimberly Narain, MD, MPH, PhD, lead study author assistant professor-in-residence of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. One is that women who are self-employed may be able to dictate their work schedule more and have less stress as a result, she says. Self-employed women with more free time may possibly have 'less perceived stress compared to women with less autonomy,' says Jennifer Wong, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. (Chronic stress is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease on its own, but it can also raise the risk of developing other factors that contribute to the condition, like obesity or trouble sleeping.) Women also tend to be caregivers and as such, have more responsibilities at home, Dr. Narain points out. 'When you're trying to combine that high level of demand and employment that doesn't have autonomy and flexibility, it can be stressful,' she says. 'It can potentially manifest in higher levels of blood pressure and less sleep.' Unfortunately, both of those raise your risk for cardiovascular disease. Women who are self-employed may have greater freedom to take on healthy lifestyle habits, like being more physically active and making medical appointments to stay on top of their health, says Yanting Wang, MD, an associate professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and director or the Women's Heart Program and Cardio-Obstetrics Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Finally, Dr. Narain says that self-employed women may not have to deal with micro-aggressions that can happen in the workplace—and that can also lower stress. Dr. Narain says the findings suggest that your work environment can have an impact on your cardiovascular health. 'We really need to be thinking about the meaning people get from their work and what that may mean for their health outcomes,' she says. But Dr. Wong says the study also stresses the importance of taking care of your health, no matter what your job is. 'In any job, women should try to take the time to optimize their cardiovascular health focusing on a heart healthy diet, exercise, and adequate sleep,' she says. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Study emphasises need for improved healthcare infrastructure for villages near Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
A recent study conducted by the Bengaluru-based Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) in 35 villages near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Tamil Nadu emphasises the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure, including access to clean water, sanitation, and health insurance coverage for the marginalised populations living there. The research study, titled 'Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to health and well-being in a forest fringe community in southern India', published in BMC Public Health, draws on data collected between 2021 and 2022 through semi-structured interviews in 322 households across 35 villages near MTR. 'This research study reveals that healthcare practices in these rural communities are influenced by a complex interaction of environmental, social, and cultural factors. In villages located within the core zone of the MTR, there is a marked reliance by people on traditional knowledge and practices for preventing and treating health conditions. Despite lower levels of formal education, these communities demonstrate a high degree of awareness of health risks, particularly regarding lifestyle-related chronic diseases. However, they were less aware of risks from zoonotic and vector-borne diseases,' according to CWS. Respondents self-reported a mix of chronic (62%) and acute (31%) health issues, with undiagnosed fever being the most reported acute ailment (57%). Chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, were reported by 62% of respondents and were more prevalent in villages in the buffer and boundary zones that are closer to urban areas. 'While our study population seemed to suffer mainly from lifestyle-related chronic illnesses, the low self-reported incidences of tuberculosis, a chronic disease with high national prevalence, and sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder with high prevalence in tribal populations of southern India, were unexpected findings that need deeper investigation,' said Dr. Bindu Raghavan, lead author of the study. 'A key insight is the community's reliance on a wide range of healthcare options. The study found that 63% of respondents preferred government healthcare services for primary care, while 30% opted for private facilities for surgical procedures. Education levels were a key determinant in healthcare access, with individuals with higher education being more likely to utilise clinical healthcare services. Meanwhile, those with lower education levels often turned to traditional healers or avoided medical care altogether,' according to CWS. According to the study, a majority (76%) expressed satisfaction with public services, citing dignified treatment (64%) and regular visits from healthcare workers as reasons for seeking care. The study also identifies systemic barriers that hinder healthcare access, such as inadequate infrastructure. 'For instance, 15% of respondents reported spending more than a month's income on healthcare services. Furthermore, marginalised groups, particularly women and low-income households, face additional challenges in accessing healthcare, exacerbating health disparities in these communities,' according to CWS.
Gulf Insider
19-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Tattoos May Be Linked To Cancer - Here's Why...
'I got tattooed during a time in my life when I wasn't fully informed about what was going into my body or what I was allowing onto my skin. Back then, it was about art, self-expression, and creative identity.' 'Today, I see it differently. Tattoos are not harmless,' Ellie Grey a book author, wrote on Grey, many people choose to get tattoos as self-expression, acts of remembrance, or transformation. But even when the meaning runs deep, tattoos can have consequences—some only now coming to light. Many tattoo inks contain chemicals that have been classified as carcinogenic—or cancer-causing—by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A 2024 study by Swedish researchers found that 21 percent of participants with malignant lymphoma had tattoos compared with 17 percent of controls. The risk was highest—an 81 percent increase—among those who got their first tattoo within two years of diagnosis. 'We know that tattoo ink often contains toxic chemicals and that a significant portion of the injected ink is transported away from the skin by the immune system, which perceives it as a foreign substance,' Christel Nielsen, associate professor and lead author of the study, told The Epoch Times. Once ink enters the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the outer layer, the immune system attempts to clear it, sending pigment particles to nearby lymph nodes and, potentially, other organs. This may disrupt immune function and trigger systemic inflammation. Over time, the persistent presence of ink in lymphatic tissue could contribute to abnormal immune activity and increase the risk of cancers such as lymphoma and skin cancer. Are some tattoos more harmful than others? Nielsen's study found no clear link between the size of a tattoo and lymphoma risk. 'We did not observe an increased risk with larger tattoos, which was unexpected,' Nielsen said. 'That does not mean such a link doesn't exist—only that our study design may not have been able to detect it.' However, Nielsen noted that a January study published in BMC Public Health on the same topic found a different pattern, suggesting that larger tattoos may indeed be associated with a higher cancer risk. The study proposed that larger tattoos might have a stronger effect due to greater overall ink exposure or prolonged exposure from tattoos acquired over time. Tattoo risks also include infections and allergic reactions that may be difficult to treat, Dr. Bruce Brod, clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told the Epoch Times. Such risks may be amplified by the amount of ink used or how deeply it's deposited—factors more likely in larger or multiple tattoos. Another factor to consider is the color of the tattoo. In a matched analysis comparing individuals with similar characteristics, those with black or grey tattoos had a 23 percent higher risk of lymphoma. Those with both black and colored tattoos had a 21 percent higher risk compared to people without tattoos. In a broader, less-controlled analysis, the risk was even higher for black and grey tattoos, showing a 32 percent increase, and lower for tattoos with both black and colored ink, with an 11 percent increase. Of note, this broader analysis may have been influenced by other factors, such as lifestyle or health differences between groups. Black ink often contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known to be carcinogenic and can increase the risk of cancer. Colored inks, on the other hand, may contain primary aromatic amines. Both may contain metals like arsenic, lead, and chromium. 'Current regulations on tattoo ink ingredients are not sufficient,' Dr. Trisha Khanna, dermatologist and medical advisory board member at Codex Labs, told The Epoch Times. 'This is a growing concern among dermatologists.' Some warning signs people with tattoos should look out for when monitoring their skin health include persistent redness, itching, bumps, new pigmented lesions, color change, ulceration, and bleeding, Khanna said. Tattoos can also complicate the early detection of skin cancer, Brod said. Since changes in the skin may be obscured by the tattoo pigment, detecting potential issues becomes more challenging. If people notice a new or changing spot within a tattoo—or anywhere on the skin—it's crucial to seek evaluation from a dermatologist, he said. After learning about the risks, some people's first instinct might be to remove their tattoo. However, laser removal could further increase the lymphoma risk. Among tattooed participants who underwent laser treatment, the risk of lymphoma was found to be three times higher. These findings align with experimental studies showing that laser treatment breaks down azo compounds—chemicals used to color tattoos—into potentially toxic, cancer-causing substances. This breakdown may release more harmful chemicals into the body, further raising the risk. If you're already tattooed and concerned about the risks, the best approach is to focus on your overall health. 'The best thing we can do for our health, tattoos or not, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle—regular exercise and a nutritious diet,' Nielsen said. Make sure to take an active role in improving your diet to help reduce cancer risk. 'Eating more plant-based foods isn't just a trend—it's a proven strategy,' Amy Bragagnini, a clinical oncology dietitian, told The Epoch Times. 'A diet rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains has been linked to lower cancer rates.' For people considering getting a tattoo, it's important to weigh all the information before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice is personal. 'As researchers, our role is to provide knowledge so people can make informed decisions,' Nielsen said. 'If someone is concerned about potential health effects, then it may be best to refrain from tattooing to avoid future worries.' Also read: Teenagers With Mental Health Disorders Spend An Extra Hour On Social Media
Medscape
05-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Side Effect Fears Deter European Teens From Vaccines
A total of 20.8% of European adolescents showed reluctance toward vaccination. This finding comes from a recent study published in BMC Public Health , led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain. The research surveyed 1877 young people 12-17 years of age from Italy, Portugal, Poland, and Spain, along with 1135 parents. The main factors behind this reluctance include fear of vaccine adverse effects and distrust in government recommendations. This study is part of Science4Pandemics, a European project that provides a citizen engagement digital platform for collective intelligence in pandemics. The study showed significant differences between the countries. Poland reported a prevalence of 31.6% among adolescents, whereas the number in Spain was 12.5%. This significant difference aligns with 'the historically lower vaccine hesitancy and higher coverage in our country compared to other European nations,' stated Pere Millat-Martínez, MD, physician and scientific researcher at ISGlobal and the study's lead author. He suggested that better results in the Spanish population may be due to 'prevention campaigns conducted by primary care nursing and parental awareness, which greatly influences at home.' The primary cause of vaccine hesitancy was fear of vaccine side effects, cited by 56.1% of adolescents and 51.9% of parents. 'This data surprised us. We expected the primary factor of hesitancy among adolescents and their parents to be the belief that the diseases are not serious enough,' explained Millat-Martínez. 'It has long been demonstrated that vaccines are safe. An article published in the 1990s linked them to the development of autism, which the anti-vaccine movement relied on. However, it has been shown to be based on false data. In recent years, there has been less talk about myths surrounding side effects, so it is striking to see such a high percentage in our study,' he explained. Surveys conducted by his team found that up to 22% of adolescents and 22.8% of parents expressed distrust in government recommendations. Among young people, notable reasons included the belief that vaccine-preventable infections are not severe (8.4%) and the perception of a low likelihood of falling ill (8.4%). For parents, reasons for vaccine hesitancy included the belief that preventable infections are not severe (10.4%) and economic barriers (10.9%). Another surprising conclusion was the response to economic barriers. 'We included this option thinking that few people would select it. In the countries where we conducted the surveys, basic vaccines were covered by the government and were free of charge. Therefore, we thought these data might be influenced by social media,' noted Millat-Martínez, who believes these platforms are a key factor in vaccination coverage. 'It is evident that adolescents rely on social media to form opinions, so any misinformation on these platforms affects young people and the public. A study from another research group in Spain showed that news about vaccines on social media can have both positive and negative influences,' warned Millat-Martínez. Considering this influence, he believes that Europe must improve public health strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure optimal vaccination coverage. The study showed that adolescents should be the key focus of awareness campaigns. Mass media and school-based initiatives should be used to foster trust in vaccines among this age group. 'If the main causes of vaccine hesitancy are misinformation about their safety and distrust in government-recommended vaccination schedules, to reduce this misconception about immunizations, our recommendation is to direct preventive measures and education about vaccines primarily towards the population group in our study,' concluded Millat-Martínez. Millat-Martínez declared no conflicts of interest.
