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Study Links High Screen Time to Poorer Developmental Outcomes in Children

Study Links High Screen Time to Poorer Developmental Outcomes in Children

A comprehensive study involving nearly 2.8 million children across 64 countries has identified a correlation between increased screen time and less favorable developmental outcomes in children. The research, published in 'JAMA Pediatrics' and conducted by scientists at the University of Calgary in Canada, reviewed decades of studies on screen time and child development for individuals aged 18 and under. Key findings indicate that higher screen exposure is associated with lower overall academic achievement, poorer language development, and increased difficulties with emotional regulation, behavior, and social relationships. While the study emphasizes that these are associations and not direct cause-and-effect relationships, the consistent links across a large population highlight the potential impact of digital device usage on various aspects of childhood development. The study also noted that while overall academic performance was affected, consistent effects on individual subjects like mathematics, readin...
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Experts Advise Parents on Addressing Children's Morbid Curiosity, Distinguishing Normal Exploration from Red Flags

Experts Advise Parents on Addressing Children's Morbid Curiosity, Distinguishing Normal Exploration from Red Flags

Experts Advise Parents on Addressing Children's Morbid Curiosity, Distinguishing Normal Exploration from Red Flags
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Social Media's Dual Impact on Youth Mental Health and Connectivity Examined

Social Media's Dual Impact on Youth Mental Health and Connectivity Examined

The increasing integration of social media into daily life, particularly among young people, presents a paradox of connection. While platforms offer avenues for global interaction and can strengthen existing relationships, chronic online engagement is linked to significant mental health challenges. Adolescents, who are the first generation to grow up with constant social media access, often carry their social worlds in their pockets, leading to a blurring of 'on' and 'off' lines. This constant digital presence can foster anxiety, isolation, and emotional strain. Research indicates that social media often encourages social comparison through curated content, leading young people to feel they are falling behind. The relationship between loneliness and social media is complex; while extensive scrolling is associated with higher loneliness, using social media to chat with friends can reduce it. Psychologists suggest that online presence strengthens sociability when offline relationships are secure, but erodes ...
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Polish Scientists Advocate for Plant-Based Diets to Strengthen One Health Approach

Polish Scientists Advocate for Plant-Based Diets to Strengthen One Health Approach

Researchers from Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poland are advocating for the inclusion of plant-based diets within the international One Health framework. Their arguments, presented in Frontiers in Environmental Science, suggest that reducing animal product consumption can simultaneously improve human health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. The One Health concept, developed by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), links human health to animal health and the environment. The Polish scientists argue that while the framework has focused on zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, it has largely overlooked the role of food production. They highlight that industrial farming practices contribute to chronic stress in animals, increased risk of infections, and significant antibiotic use, with approximately 75% of human infectious diseases in recent decades being of zoonotic origin. Furthermor...
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CDC and WHO Issue Urgent Measles Alert for Adults, Citing Immunity Gaps and Travel Risks

CDC and WHO Issue Urgent Measles Alert for Adults, Citing Immunity Gaps and Travel Risks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued an urgent alert regarding measles risk for adults in the current year. While often considered a childhood disease, adults lacking immunity from vaccination or prior infection are susceptible. Recent surveillance data indicates several adult groups are at higher risk, including unvaccinated adults, healthcare workers, college and university students, international travelers, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant people. Infants under 12 months also rely on maternal antibodies for protection. Symptoms in adults can be more severe than in children, often presenting with high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, Koplik’s spots, and a characteristic rash. The alert highlights that recent outbreaks in undervaccinated communities, ongoing vaccine hesitancy, and the rebound of global travel post-pandemic are contributing factors to increased risk.
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Parents' Common Behaviors May Undermine Children's Confidence, According to Psychology Today

Parents' Common Behaviors May Undermine Children's Confidence, According to Psychology Today

Parents' Common Behaviors May Undermine Children's Confidence, According to Psychology Today
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WHO Reports Global Life Expectancy Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels, Noncommunicable Diseases Dominate Mortality

WHO Reports Global Life Expectancy Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels, Noncommunicable Diseases Dominate Mortality

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new Global Health Estimates indicating that global life expectancy has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 73.3 years in 2023, just shy of the 73.4 years recorded in 2019. However, healthy life expectancy has shown a slower recovery, standing at 62.8 years in 2023, which is 0.4 years below its 2019 figure. A significant trend highlighted in the report is the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which accounted for 74% of global deaths in 2023, a substantial rise from 58% in 2000. Eight of the top ten leading causes of death globally in 2023 were NCDs. This shift is evident across all income levels, with communicable diseases accounting for less than half of all deaths in low-income countries for the first time in 2023. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly ischaemic heart disease, remain the leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide, causing approximately 9.5 million deaths and 210 million disability-adjusted lif...
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Florida's dengue outbreak is now the largest in the continental US in decades

Florida's dengue outbreak is now the largest in the continental US in decades

Florida is experiencing its largest dengue outbreak in decades, with over 250 locally acquired cases reported this year
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LISTERINE® Launches 'Oral Care Counts' Initiative Amid Rising Global Oral Disease Cases

LISTERINE® Launches 'Oral Care Counts' Initiative Amid Rising Global Oral Disease Cases

LISTERINE® has launched a multiyear education and advocacy initiative called 'Oral Care Counts' on World Smile Day. This campaign aims to highlight the essential role of oral health in overall well-being and promote practical daily habits, including a three-step routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing. The initiative comes as global research indicates a significant increase in oral disease cases, with nearly half of the world's population affected. A systematic analysis published in The Lancet Public Health found that cases of major oral conditions, such as untreated tooth decay, severe periodontitis, and total tooth loss, rose by 3.07% over four years. This trend suggests that progress is too slow to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2030 target for reducing oral diseases. LISTERINE® plans to engage healthcare professionals, advocates, policymakers, community organizations, and consumers to support evidence-based education and improve access to oral health information and preventive care.
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U.S. Representative Mfume Introduces Bill to Rejoin World Health Organization and Address Ebola Outbreak

U.S. Representative Mfume Introduces Bill to Rejoin World Health Organization and Address Ebola Outbreak

U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume (Democrat-MD-7th District) has introduced H.R.10345, a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, which mandates the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO). The legislation, introduced on September 10, 2026, during the 119th Congress's regular session, aims to bolster the U.S. response to global infectious disease threats through renewed participation in the WHO. The bill specifically addresses the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, highlighting the rapid spread of the 2026 outbreak and the necessity for a robust public health response to prevent a crisis similar to the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. The bill requires the President, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to reestablish U.S. membership in the WHO within 30 days of its enactment and to cooperate with the organization to combat the current outbreak. Additionally, it authorizes appropriations for restoring U.S. contributions to the WHO and supporting internatio...
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Study Links Increased Screen Time to Poorer Child Development Outcomes

Study Links Increased Screen Time to Poorer Child Development Outcomes

A new study has found a correlation between increased screen time in children and poorer developmental outcomes across various areas, including cognitive function, learning, speech, behavior, and emotional regulation. The research, led by senior author Sheri Madigan, a professor of psychology at the University of Calgary, Canada, reviewed decades of studies involving nearly three million children aged 18 and under from 64 countries. While the associations were generally small, the researchers emphasize their significance given the near-universal exposure to screens in children's lives. The study also noted that more recent research indicates stronger links between screen time and child development compared to older studies, possibly due to the evolving nature of digital devices, which are now more interactive and pervasive. The findings suggest that while technology can be a valuable tool for learning and creativity, it can also displace essential activities for child development such as sleep, physical ac...
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Sparkle Stories Promotes Screen-Free Moments for Families with 'Five-Minute Wonder' Practices

Sparkle Stories Promotes Screen-Free Moments for Families with 'Five-Minute Wonder' Practices

Sparkle Stories Promotes Screen-Free Moments for Families with 'Five-Minute Wonder' Practices