Health Headlines for Thursday, December 29
Record Overdoses Expected in New York City
New York Times
In New York City, more than 1,000 people are expected to die from drug overdoses in 2016 — the first recorded four-digit death total in city history, according to statistics compiled by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Nearly half of all unintentional drug overdose deaths in the city since July have involved fentanyl, the health department said.
Influenza is prevalent in New York State
Local SYR
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker today declared influenza prevalent in New York State.
Insurance reforms aimed at combating addiction in New York
WHEC
New health insurance reforms in New York will go into effect this weekend, and are hoping to combat the state’s growing heroin and opioid crisis.
Quit smoking for New Year’s – or better yet, don’t start
Buffalo News
Many years ago when we decided to start a family, we wanted to keep a healthy environment in our home.
Fish oil during pregnancy reduces baby’s asthma risk: study
Reuters
A Danish study of 695 pregnant women is raising the possibility that fish oil supplements begun in the final three months of pregnancy may reduce the risk of asthma or persistent wheezing in offspring.
Prompting helps doctors ask teens about gender identity
Reuters
Prompting doctors to ask adolescents and young adults about their gender identity may improve documentation of that information in electronic health records, according to a new study.