The findings point to gaps in applying universally accepted standards of cardiac care. Olga Kononenko/Unsplash Health U.S. heart attack death rate among highest Jake Miller HMS Communications May 11, 2022 6 min read Despite international guidelines, substantial differences found in treatment, outcomes in heart attack care across six high-income countries The best way to treat acute myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks, has been long established by international consensus. The types of treatments and...

Using mouse models new research suggests grandchildren see benefits such as lower body fat, better insulin control, and healthier bones for some. iStock by Getty Images Health Grandma’s workouts may have made you healthier Alvin Powell Harvard Staff Writer May 10, 2022 long read Joslin study finds exercise during pregnancy may yield metabolic benefits in grandchildren If grandma liked working out, her pain may be your gain. It may seem unlikely, but recent research out...

Breaking a bad habit can be done, say experts. Nuthawut Somsuk/iStock Health How to break a bad habit Harvard Health Blog May 2, 2022 3 min read Make it easier by taking a hard look at motive, modification, and mindset We all have habits we’d like to get rid of, and every night we give ourselves the same pep talk: I’ll go to bed earlier. I will resist that cookie. I will stop biting my...

The rise of subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 “is reminiscent … of the Omicron wave, possibly even taking off faster,” said infectious disease specialist Jacob Lemieux at this week’s media briefing. iStock Health Subvariants cause for alarm, hybrid immunity hard to beat Alvin Powell Harvard Staff Writer April 27, 2022 4 min read Harvard scientists give their read on recent COVID data from the U.S. and South Africa Jacob Lemieux, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts...

Although nearly 70 percent of states have legalized the medical use of cannabis products, some health care professionals are taking a closer look at its effect on the brain. iStock by Getty Images Health It may be increasingly legal, but it doesn’t mean cannabis is safe Clea Simon Harvard Correspondent April 20, 2022 6 min read Neuroscientist says jury still out on addictive qualities, effects on neurodevelopment of fetuses, adolescents A recent CBS News/YouGov survey...

iStock Health Infertility linked to increased risk of heart failure in women Alice McCarthy MGH News and Public Affairs April 20, 2022 4 min read Study determines it is not related to traditional cardiovascular risk factors A new study finds that women who had experienced infertility had a 16 percent increased risk of heart failure compared with women who did not have an infertility history. Massachusetts General Hospital study was published in the Journal of...

The study team developed and validated a laboratory test for polygenic risk scores for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Louis Reed/Unsplash Health Genetic risk scores developed for six diseases Haley Bridger BWH Communications April 18, 2022 5 min read Could help patients, physicians in making screening and prevention decisions A team of researchers has developed a genetic risk score for six common diseases, which could...

In order to build diversity at leadership levels, academic medicine needs to better support underrepresented clinical faculty candidates, says Sophia Kamran, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, who led the report. iStock by Getty Images Health Women see gains, Black men see losses in U.S. medicine MGH News and Public Affairs April 14, 2022 4 min read Diversity in academic medicine is not keeping pace with population changes, analysis finds As female representation rose...

Rick Berke (clockwise from upper left) moderated a conversation among former CDC directors Bill Foege, Bill Roper, Robert Redfield, and Julie Gerberding. Additionally, Tom Frieden contributed via pre-recording video messages. Photo by Lian Parsons Health What’s next for the CDC? Lian Parsons Harvard Correspondent April 7, 2022 4 min read Former directors discuss future of the agency On Monday, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky, announced that the agency...

Cancer specialists George Demetri of the Medical School (center) and Karen Emmons and Timothy Rebbeck of the Chan School of Public Health. Photos by Kris Snibbe and Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographers Health Bringing the cancer fight back down to earth Alvin Powell Harvard Staff Writer March 30, 2022 8 min read Halving deaths and other Biden goals are in reach, experts say, but let’s forget about ‘moonshot’ and focus on resources, prevention President Biden’s recently...