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Understanding why some people are more vulnerable to COVID-19

What makes the elderly and people with underlying conditions more vulnerable to COVID-19? According to a new study led by McGill University researchers, clues can be found in the proteins involved in initiating infection, as the virus binds to host cells of different animals.

3 Dec 2020

Study links declines in working-class jobs to suicide, deaths of despair

Declines in blue-collar jobs may have left some working-class men frustrated by unmet job expectations and more likely to suffer an early death by suicide or drug poisoning, according to a study led by sociologists at The University of Texas at Austin.

2 Dec 2020

Brown researchers receive federal grant to track adverse impacts of vaccines in elderly residents

As the U.S. moves toward the highly anticipated approval of the first COVID-19 vaccines, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are likely to join health care workers as groups who will be among the earliest vaccine recipients in most states.

2 Dec 2020

Early high-titer convalescent plasma prevents 75% of severe COVID-19 in elderly

A promising new clinical study published on the preprint server medRxiv reports that if convalescent plasma with a high titer of antibodies is given early in the course of COVID-19 in elderly patients, the risk of severe illness is reduced by 73%.

24 Nov 2020

Medicaid expansion may lead to earlier diagnosis, improved care for colon cancer patients

The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion for low-income people appears to lead to earlier diagnosis of colon cancer, enhanced access to care, and improved surgical care for patients with this common cancer, researchers report in a new study.

23 Nov 2020

Study: Some parents may prioritize Thanksgiving gathering over reducing COVID-19 risks

For some families, one of the most difficult steps in reducing COVID-19 risks has been keeping children apart from grandparents and other extended family members.

23 Nov 2020

High cost of drugs could lead to more than 1.1 million deaths among Medicare recipients

More than 1.1 million Medicare patients could die over the next decade because they cannot afford to pay for their prescription medications, according to a new study released today by the West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit and nonpartisan policy research group and Xcenda, the research arm of the drug distributor AmerisourceBergen.

19 Nov 2020

Study focuses on link between financial exploitation and frailty in older adults

Scams and fraud exact a heavy toll on older adults, with estimates of yearly losses ranging from $3 billion to $36 billion in the U.S. alone.

19 Nov 2020

Two-thirds of older Americans would not seek treatment for depression, new poll shows

A new nationwide poll, the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor, shows that nearly two-thirds (61%) of Americans age 65 or older who have concerns about having depression will not seek treatment.

17 Nov 2020

UCF researcher assesses the impact of aging-in-community programs for older adults

The number of Americans age 65 and older continues to increase as the baby boom generation ages and people are living longer. At the same time, many seniors plan to "age in place," or continue living in their current homes, despite needing more assistance as they get older.

17 Nov 2020

Long-term care workers, grieving and under siege, brace for COVID’s next round

In the middle of the night, Stefania Silvestri lies in bed remembering her elderly patients' cries.

16 Nov 2020

Exercise classes decrease loneliness and social isolation in older adults

Older adults who joined group exercise classes experienced decreased loneliness and social isolation, according to a new Cedars-Sinai study conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

12 Nov 2020

Baycrest scientists use individualized brain stimulation to treat aphasia in stroke survivors

Baycrest scientists are pioneering the use of individualized brain stimulation therapy to treat aphasia in recovering stroke patients.

12 Nov 2020

Genetic disposition plays key role in the human immune system

A genetic disposition that plays a role in the development of the heart in the embryo also appears to play a key role in the human immune system.

10 Nov 2020

It’s open enrollment. Here’s what you need to know

California's annual health insurance enrollment season for individuals and families kicks off this week against a dramatic backdrop: the hotly contested presidential election; a pandemic raging out of control in much of the U.S.; and, on Nov. 10, a Supreme Court hearing of a case that could end the Affordable Care Act and strand millions without coverage.

4 Nov 2020

Seniors form COVID pods to ward off isolation this winter

Over the past month, Dr. Richard Besdine and his wife have been discussing whether to see family and friends indoors this fall and winter.

3 Nov 2020

A $200 debit card won’t do much for seniors’ drug costs

If they've been listening to President Donald Trump, seniors may be expecting a $200 debit card in the mail any day now to help them pay for prescription drugs.

30 Oct 2020

Despite COVID concerns, teams venture into nursing homes to get out the vote

Each time Beverly Tucker visited a nursing home or long-term care facility this fall, she brought along a rolling tote bag packed with supplies from the Durham County Board of Elections.

29 Oct 2020

Arguing to undo the ACA. Harming Medicare. Do they go hand in hand?

It's a tried-and-true campaign strategy. Candidates go on the attack, claiming their opponent will do harm to Medicare. After all, people 65 and older are good about making it to the polls on Election Day. These voters are also generally motivated to protect the federal health insurance program for seniors.

23 Oct 2020

New report calls for improved Medicare home health benefit for older adults

Older adults have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased risk of severe illness and death reported across the globe.