Health Links
National Institutes of Health: COVID-19 Vaccines Linked to Small Increase in Menstrual Cycle Length
"The team found that women who received a COVID-19 vaccine had an average increase in cycle length of nearly one day for each dose. Among women who received a two-dose vaccine, the first dose was associated with a 0.71-day increase in cycle length and the second dose with a 0.91-day increase. After adjustment for age, race and ethnicity, BMI, education, and other factors, the change in cycle length was still less than one day for each dose. Receiving two vaccine doses within the same menstrual cycle increased the cycle length further — about two days on average. Women’s cycle lengths often fluctuate, and experts consider cycle variation of up to eight days to be normal. The longer menstrual cycles after vaccination decreased in subsequent cycles, suggesting they are likely temporary." more »
The National Institutes of Health Report Details 20 Years of Advances and Challenges of Americans’ Oral Health Which Plays a Central Role in Overall Health
"Healthy behaviors can improve and maintain an individual’s oral health, but these behaviors are also shaped by social and economic conditions. Oral and medical conditions often share common risk factors, and just as medical conditions and their treatments can influence oral health, so can oral conditions and their treatments affect other health issues. Substance misuse and mental health conditions negatively affect the oral health of many. Group disparities around oral health, identified 20 years ago, have not been adequately addressed, and greater efforts are needed to tackle both the social and commercial determinants that create these inequities and the systemic biases that perpetuate them." more »
Kaiser Health News: When the Eye on Older Patients Is a Camera
Passive surveillance systems are replacing the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” medical alert buttons. Using artificial intelligence, the new devices can automatically detect something is wrong and make an emergency call unasked. They also can monitor pill dispensers and kitchen appliances using motion sensors. Some systems include wearable watches for fall detectionor can track GPS location. Others are video cameras that record. People use surveillance systems like Ring inside the home. They also can monitor pill dispensers and kitchen appliances using motion sensors. Some systems include wearable watches for fall detection or can track GPS location. Others are video cameras that record. People use surveillance systems inside the home. more »
Press Briefing by White House COVID19 Response Team and Public Health Officials; December 15, 2021
Dr. Fauci: "The Omicron variant undoubtedly compromises the effects of a two-dose mRNA vaccine-induced antibodies and reduces the overall protection. However, as I showed on a prior slide, considerable protection still maintains against severe disease. The early in vitro and clinical studies that I mentioned indicate that boosters reconstitute the antibody titers and enhance the vaccine protection against Omicron. And so, finally, our booster vaccine regimens work against Omicron. At this point, there is no need for a variant-specific booster. And so the message remains clear: If you are unvaccinated, get vaccinated. And particularly in the arena of Omicron, if you are fully vaccinated, get your booster shot. Back to you, Jeff." more »