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Smoking more than doubles heart risk among African Americans

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but there is less data available that explores the specific risks African Americans face. A long-running study in Mississippi is doing just that, and found that smoking more than doubles the risk of heart disease among African Americans.

Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health

A news story about a worrisome or life-threatening ailment might get you thinking about your own health, especially if you happen to have some of the same symptoms. But dramatic or unusual medical stories can bias your thinking and even negatively affect your health decision-making.

Facts about fiber

Fiber improves digestion and may help lower a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But according to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most people meet only half their daily fiber needs. The main reason is not following a basic healthy diet with foods high in fiber. Making small changes in dietary habits and adopting new fiber-rich foods can help people reach their quota.

More people now eligible for lung cancer screening

Updated guidelines suggest current and former smokers get an annual lung cancer screening including those who have quit within the past 15 years.

Vitamin D supplements may reduce risk of invasive cancer

A study published online Nov. 2, 2020, by JAMA Network Open found that healthy-weight people ages 50 or older who took a daily 2,000-IU vitamin D supplement had a lower risk for developing advanced or fatal cancer, compared with people who didn’t take the supplement.

Screening for lung cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends more people should undergo lung cancer screening.

Breast centers out of step with federal mammography recommendations

Breast centers and the federal government often differ when it comes to breast cancer screening recommendations.

Common questions about medical cannabis

While cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, more than two-thirds of US states have made it partly or fully legal for medical purposes. People who decide to use marijuana for a medical condition often have questions about its safety and proper use — the same considerations doctors weigh when determining whether it should be prescribed for a particular patient.

Five lifestyle factors that can help prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition that affects approximately one out of every five people in the western world. Despite the effectiveness of medications, there are concerns about the long-term effects of some of these drugs. A recent study identified five lifestyle factors that can affect the chance of developing GERD.

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