Smartphones Can Increase Seniors' Risk Of Depression

MONDAY, July 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Smartphones can contribute to depression among seniors, depending on how they’re using the devices, a new study says.

Older folks who compulsively use their phones to scroll news, watch videos or play games alone are more likely to withdraw from others, increasing their depression risk, ...

Pro Soccer Players Show Signs Of Shrinking Brains

MONDAY, July 13, 2026 (HealthDay News) — World Cup fever has America in its grip, as the international soccer tournament grinds steadily toward the finals.

But a new study is highlighting a darker side to the sport: the toll that soccer can take on the brains of its professional players.

Middle-aged former pro soccer players ap...

Mild COVID Can Lead To Long-Term Hidden Eye Problems

FRIDAY, July 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Doctors are shedding new light on a hidden eye condition that can develop after even a mild case of COVID.

Researchers say a growing number of patients are experiencing severe eye pain, light sensitivity, trouble reading and difficulty focusing months — or even years — after infect...

Seniors Know How Sharp They Are At Any Given Time, Study Finds

FRIDAY, July 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Seniors have a pretty good handle on how sharp they are at any given moment, a new study says.

Self-ratings captured by smartwatches closely matched seniors' actual brain performance in real-time everyday settings, researchers reported recently in the journal Neuropsychology.

&l...

Smartphone App Uses Voice To Predict Asthma, COPD Flare-Ups

FRIDAY, July 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Voice changes measured by a smartphone app can send up a red flag for people with asthma or COPD, warning them of an oncoming symptom flare-up, a new study says.

In the future, daily voice checks using such an app might be used to monitor for signs of an asthma or COPD exacerbation, researcher...

LGBTQ+ People Less Likely To Be Screened For Some Common Cancers

FRIDAY, July 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — LGBTQ+ people are less likely to be regularly tested for some common forms of cancer, a new study says.

Gay and bisexual women, as well as transgender individuals, are less likely to receive screening for cervical or breast cancers, researchers reported July 6 in the journal Cancer.

AI Can Detect Previously Invisible MS Scars In The Brain

FRIDAY, July 10, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) can help doctors find previously invisible brain lesions linked to multiple sclerosis, potentially improving their ability to track disease progression, a new study says.

The gray matter of the brain plays a key role in MS progression, but conventional MRI scans ca...

Use Hits Record High As Medicare Opens Access To Weight-Loss Drugs

THURSDAY, July 9, 2026 (HealthDay News) — The share of U.S. adults taking GLP-1 medications to lose weight has reached a record 11%.

That’s about 40 million people — as many folks who live in California, the nation’s largest state.

A new Medicare program that began July 1 could drive that figure higher still.<...

Foundation Fights Medical Errors That Claim 200,000 U.S. Lives A Year

THURSDAY, July 9, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Medical error is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and one organization believes those deaths can be stopped.

The Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF), a nonprofit founded in 2012, has set an ambitious goal: zero preventable patient deaths by 2030.

"What we'r...

Innovative Hip Replacement Cuts Post-Surgery Risk Of Dislocation By 70%

THURSDAY, July 9, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Hip replacement surgery can dramatically improve the life of a person in chronic pain from a bum hip, but afterward patients must move carefully lest they cause their new hip to pop out of joint.

But a better-designed hip implant can reduce a patient’s risk of hip displacement by 70%, r...

Global Study Finds Kids Worldwide Skipping Fruits And Vegetables

THURSDAY, July 9, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Kids around the world aren’t eating enough fruits and veggies, a major new analysis has found.

Plant-based foods are rich in essential nutrients that support children’s normal development and long-term health, researchers said.

But globally kids aren’t consuming the am...

New, Highly Accurate Brush Test Can Detect Mouth Cancer Within An Hour

THURSDAY, July 9, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A non-invasive brush test can diagnose mouth cancer within one hour, potentially boosting detection rates, a new study says.

The brush test proved nearly 96% accurate in detecting oral cancer when tested on hundreds of patients, researchers reported recently in the journal Biomarker Resea...