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A Cup of Green Tea a Day Can Help You Live a Longer Life

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green tea

The average life expectancy in the United States is 78.69 years old. That number has risen drastically over the years, but people are constantly looking for ways to extend their lifespan. Now, a new study has found that drinking green tea on a regular basis can help you live longer.

How Green Tea Can Help Extend Your Lifespan

Although many people start their day with a cup of coffee, researchers found that swapping that out for green tea can help lower the risk of heart problems. To come to this conclusion, scientists examined health and behavioral information of 100,000 Chinese adults.

Each study participant self-reported the amount of tea they drank. Those who drank less than three cups of tea per week were found to have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Individuals who drank more had a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular issues, a 22% reduced risk of death associated with cardiovascular problems and a 15% lower risk for premature death. It has even been shown to help prevent some types of cancer.

Individuals who drank green tea on a regular basis also lived a year longer than those who do not, on average. This is because green tea is jam-packed full of flavonoids that help improve the function of blood vessels, relieve inflammation, lower oxidative stress, and increase the efficiency of heart muscle cells.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. For this reason, it is important to look into things, like drinking green tea, to help people prevent it. At the very least, adding more green tea into your diet promotes healthy teeth and hydration, so why not give it a try?

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Health Professionals Say There Could Be an HIV Vaccine By 2021

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HIV vaccine

HIV isn’t something that is talked about as often as it used to be. In the 1980s, HIV and AIDS plagued the thoughts of most Americans. Despite the fact that it hasn’t drawn as much attention as it used to, HIV is still a huge problem. Thankfully, scientists are just another step closer to developing a successful HIV vaccine.

How Much Does HIV Treatment Cost

The average treatment for HIV costs between $14,000 and $20,000 per year. That is just to keep the virus from progressing to AIDS and keep the infected person alive. Some treatments can cost as little as $1,000 per month, but those paying that price can consider themselves lucky. All of this can add up to $400,000 or more in lifetime treatment expenses.

Not to mention, many individuals with HIV may also have other incurable diseases, such as Hepatitis. Combining HIV treatment costs with the costs of maintaining another disease can run upwards of $28,900 or more per year.

Many people managing their HIV diagnosis live paycheck to paycheck and struggle financially. Some even try to ration out their medications, which can be dangerous. With around 38 million people infected worldwide and healthcare costs continuing to rise, it has become a priority for officials to develop a vaccine to help prevent HIV.

The Development of an HIV Vaccine

Thankfully, scientists are coming closer to developing an HIV vaccine. Three experimental vaccines are entering their final stages of testing. While any of these three trials may fail, scientists are more hopeful than they’ve ever been in the past. Margaret Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human Services, has predicted there would be a vaccine available for wide-scale testing within the next two years.

This is “perhaps one of the most optimistic moments we have been in,” said director of the Bridge HIV research program at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Dr. Susan Buchbinder. “We have three vaccines currently being tested in efficacy trials, and it takes quite a bit to actually be promising enough in the earlier stages of trials to move you forward into an efficacy study.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who helped draft President Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic plan, said that if one of the current three vaccines being developed works, “that would be the endgame.” The HIV Epidemic plan aims to help lower new infections by 75 percent in the next five years and 90 percent in 10 years’ time. That could save countless peoples’ lives, not to mention millions of dollars. However, only time will tell whether scientists will be able to craft a vaccine that really works.

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Someone Dies Every 15 Minutes From a Drug-Resistant Superbug

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Drug-resistant superbug

According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone dies every 15 minutes from a drug-resistant superbug. This equates to about 35,000 deaths per year. What causes these superbugs?

What is a Drug-Resistant Superbug?

In the middle of the flu season, it is overwhelming to even consider the possibility of developing another type of bug. Some germs have evolved to resist antibiotics. The report stated, “some miracle drugs no longer perform miracles.”

There are currently five drug-resistant superbugs on the CDC’s list (two more than the agency reported in 2013). What’s more, is there are fewer superbug infections happening in hospitals but more people are coming down with them within the community. While elderly people are more likely to fall ill with antibiotic-resistant bugs, these illnesses can impact anyone.

Of the five superbugs included in the CDC report, three are germs: C. diff, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (an STD). The two new superbugs added to the list are carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter (a bacteria) and Candida auris (a fungus). The agency also identified 11 other bacteria and fungi as serious threats of becoming drug-resistant. They also mentioned two more as concerning and four other potential superbugs were added to the CDC watch list.

The total number of deaths from drug-resistant superbugs has gone down by 18 percent since 2013. C. diff is the deadliest of the drug-resistant superbugs and causes about 12,800 deaths per year in the United States. About 85 percent of deaths from these superbugs are caused by germs found in health care facilities.

Is There Anything Doctors Can Do?

Many healthcare professionals believe these superbugs are caused because of the over-prescription of antibiotics. In the report, CDC officials noted that more powerful antibiotics are not the answer to these drug-resistant superbugs. These germs will eventually make them useless as they evolve anyway. The key to reducing the occurrence of superbugs is developing strategies to avoid infection in the first place and use antibiotics less.

It is estimated that approximately there are 47 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions per year. That is one-third of all of the prescriptions for antibiotics. Right now, it can be hard for doctors to figure out whether a patient needs an antibiotic or not. Because of this, officials have called for better tests and tools to be developed to assist in diagnosis.

Another reason drug-resistant superbugs are on the rise is antibiotics being used in animals that we eat. Around 20 percent of all superbugs come from the foods we eat.

To decrease the likelihood of people falling ill and dying from drug-resistant bugs it will be up to doctors and public health officials. Together, they can help drive the number of people dying from superbugs down by prescribing fewer antibiotics and developing tools to help identify infections.

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Save Yourself The Trouble: Get Your Flu Shot

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Influenza season has already begun and many people are looking for low-cost ways to stay healthy. The best way to avoid falling ill, however, is getting a flu shot. Despite that, many people still avoid getting vaccinated against the flu every year, but you really shouldn’t.

Projections For This Year’s Flu Season

Last year’s flu season was intense. Millions of individuals got sick and there were even a few deaths as a result. This happens every single year even though inoculations are available to help prevent people from falling ill.

It is predicted that the 2019-2020 flu season will peak earlier than usual. Therefore, it is important you get inoculated as soon as possible. While you can get the flu even though you get the shot, it will decrease the length of time you are sick as well as the severity of the symptoms.

Health officials are recommending you get the shot before the end of October. It is especially important for children under the age of one, seniors 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals suffering from pre-existing medical conditions to get a flu shot.

Where You Can Get a Flu Shot For Free

Even if you don’t meet the end of October deadline, it is still a good idea to get the shot. The standard price for a flu shot is between $30 and $40, but it is possible to get discounted and free shots. Here’s how.

  • Call your doctor: Individuals with insurance will probably fair the best by going to their primary care physician. Most insurance companies cover the shot completely.
  • College students: Most colleges offer free flu shots to enrolled students. You’ll need to check your school’s website to confirm whether or not your institution does.
  • Costco: Costco is offering flu shots for $19.99 (no membership required).
  • Employers: Some employers may offer free flu shots to employees. Check with your employer to see if they offer this perk.
  • Flu shot rewards: If you go to get a flu shot, you should consider looking for places that offer coupons or gift card rewards for getting your shot. CVS, for instance, is offering a $5 off $25 coupon for anyone who gets a flu shot there.
  • Health department: Some areas may have a health department offering free flu shots but they will be limited.
  • Veteran Services: Military members and veterans can get a free flu shot through Veterans Affairs at the closest VA center.

Exact prices and availability may vary store to store. It is always a good idea to call ahead before you head out for your shot to confirm.

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Psychological Association Warns Against Blaming Mental Illness For Mass Shootings

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Mass shootings

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued a statement warning against blaming mental illness for all mass shootings. Following two major shootings this weekend, politicians, including the President of the United States, made statements about gun control and violence. Trump called the shooters “mentally ill monsters,” but the APA believes people with mental illness are being stigmatized.

Mass Shootings Doesn’t Equate Mental Illness

On Monday, Trump called for heavier mental health screenings. He stated that mental illness and hatred pull the trigger and even played with the idea of involuntary mental health treatment for some individuals.

“We must reform our mental health laws to better identify mentally disturbed individuals who may commit acts of violence,” he said, “and make sure those people, not only get treatment but when necessary, involuntary confinement.”

Many other members of the Republican party agreed with the president. Senator Chris Murphy, however, took to Twitter correcting POTUS.

The APA stated that “the overwhelming majority of people with mental illness are not violent and far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of violence.” Anything saying otherwise, according to the association, can discourage people from getting the help they need. It can also embolden individuals with mental health issues to act violently.

Is There An Answer To Ending Gun Violence?

“The rates of mental illness are roughly the same around the world, yet other countries are not experiencing these traumatic events as often as we face them. One critical factor is access to, and the lethality of, the weapons that are being used in these crimes. Adding racism, intolerance and bigotry to the mix is a recipe for disaster,” Rosie Phillips David, president of the APA said.

So, while increasing mental health screenings for individuals purchasing guns may be a good idea, it won’t necessarily cut down on the number of mass shootings we see in a year. It is also unlikely to help cut down on other types of gun violence occurring in the country.

The only possible “fix” to the problem is reforming our laws surrounding firearms. All in all, further regulation is needed instead of placing blame where it simply does not belong.

Readers, what do you think about the APA’s warning against blaming mental illness for mass shootings? Is it accurate?

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More Kids Are Being Placed in Foster Care Because of Drug Use

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Foster care

The opioid crisis could cost the United States more than $500 million over the next three years. Not to mention, it has already cost billions of dollars, plus lives. Now, more children are being placed in foster care because of this drug use.

Drug Use and Foster Care

The number of children being placed in foster care due to parental drug use has more than doubled in the last 20 years, a 147 percent increase, to be exact. A new study, which took a look at 5 million foster care cases, analyzed how many cases were due to parental drug use.

“A lot of the work out there [on the opioid epidemic] has focused on mortality and overdoses and how it affects adults,” said Angelica Meinhofer, lead author of the study. “[It’s] less known how the epidemic might spill over to children. And that’s something I’m trying to shed light on.”

Between 2000 and 2017, the rate of kids being removed from the home for abuse, neglect, or any other reason declined. However, the instances of children being removed from the home because of drug use increased from 15 percent to 36 percent during that period. Additionally, the children impacted by removal due to drug use are younger than kids removed for other reasons. Those removed for parental drug use were typically under the age of five.

Does This Have Anything to Do With The Opioid Epidemic?

Parental drug use was responsible for more than 1 million entries in the foster care system. That is 23 percent of all the children admitted to foster care during that period of time.

It is easy to tie the opioid epidemic into the increase. Meinhofer believes there may be other contributing factors that may help explain the upward trend. Drug use overall has increased during that period of time. Because of this, policies that increase child removal have changed and child social workers are asked to pay more attention to drug use. This, as well as other altered data collection, may have an impact on the findings.

“We hope our findings will provoke researchers to ask … what’s causing this growth, what are the implications of this growth and whether or not our system has to absorb the capacity of increasing foster care loads,” Meinhofer stated.

Is There a Solution?

For more than a decade, children in the foster care system were on the decline. Between 2012 and 2017, it began on this upward trend. During that period, the number of foster care children in the system increase by 8 percent and opioid use was on the rise. But, separating children from their parents long-term through the foster care system is never optimal.

If social workers have a child removed from the home, one of the best things they could do is seek help for the drug-using parent(s). Certain special programs within the family drug court system help provide supervised treatment for substance abuse. They can help the parent(s) get clean and regain custody.

For now, Meinhofer and her colleagues are calling for follow-up studies which would take a better look at the cause of the increased drug use. This way, policymakers can better address the needs of the children.

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