Vaping harming the young

A June 2020 study reported that national smoking rates inversely correlated with COVID-19 mortality. In countries with hot weather, each percentage point increase in smoking rate was associated with a 0.147 per 100,000 population decrease in mortality
 

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies, however, found smoking modestly increased the risk of more severe symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially among younger nondiabetic patients
 

A September 2020 review found patients with a history of smoking (either current or former) had, on average, a 91% higher odds ratio of suffering more severe COVID-19 illness than patients who had never smoked

Teens and young adults who smoked conventional and/or e-cigarettes were 2.6 to nine times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. Those who vaped were also 5 times more likely to exhibit COVID-19-related symptoms and receive a COVID-19 diagnosis than nonusers
 

Recent research shows nicotine increases ACE2 expression in bronchial epithelial cells

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Eye drops creating antibiotic-resistant infections

January 20, 2023, the CDC announced an investigation into a multistate cluster of infections from May 17, 2022, to January 19, 2023, caused by Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with artificial tears
 

The infection was identified in 50 patients across 11 states, causing one death and at least three people to go blind in one eye

So far, 51 DNA markers that appear to influence sleep have been found, including Antibiotic resistance has been rising since the discovery of penicillin and now contributes to 4.95 million deaths worldwide each year; without change, consumption of antibiotics is estimated to increase by 200% by 2030
 

Dry eye can be temporary from environmental factors like dry air or exposure to smoke, or it can be chronic. Data show optimizing vitamin D and omega-3 levels and using curcumin can all help ameliorate the symptoms of dry eye

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Sleeping time

Our modern lifestyle, which glamorizes constant internet connectivity and round-the-clock activity, conspires to keep us awake far longer than is healthy
 

The standard recommendation for adults is to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Teenagers need around nine hours, while younger school-age children may need upward of 11 hours
 

Healthy sleep consists of 5 general stages, each stage lasting 5 to 15 minutes, with a complete cycle (light, deep and REM sleep) taking between 90 and 120 minutes. You cycle through these stages four to six times each night, and this cycling is tremendously important, from both a biological and psychological perspective

So far, 51 DNA markers that appear to influence sleep have been found, including markers for long and short sleep duration, morning and evening personalities, insomnia, and high or low sleep efficiency
 

Sleep deprivation has a number of concerning health ramifications, including the promotion of diabetes, excess weight, heart disease, cancer and cognitive decline, just to name a few

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Hearing loss a growing problem

Unsafe listening practices in young people using personal listening devices (earbuds) and attending loud venues increase their risk of hearing loss, which one study estimates will affect 1 billion 12- to 34-year-olds worldwide
 

The effects of noise pollution do not stop at hearing loss; heart attack, stroke, reduced cognitive function, stress and early death are also possible. Not only that, hearing loss increases the risk of depression and dementia

Wireless earbuds increase the risk of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) or nonionizing radiation, which 250 scientists worldwide have petitioned the United Nations to address, as it is associated with genetic damage, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders and cellular stress
 

You can protect your hearing and lower your EMF exposure by avoiding Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, using a battery-powered alarm clock, switching to a steam convection oven from a microwave and avoiding "smart" devices such as appliances, thermostats and TVs

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Egg shortages artificial?

Egg prices have more than doubled compared to what they were a year ago, with a median cost of $4.25 for a dozen

As of January 2023, more than 58 million birds in 47 states have been killed due to avian flu outbreaks

The egg shortage began amidst a series of mysterious fires and other disasters at U.S. food processors 

Some farmers have stated chicken feed made by Purina may have been altered to contain lower amounts of protein and minerals, leaving chickens unable to lay eggs
 

A report from the Rockefeller Foundation, released in July 2020 and predicting a coming food crisis, calls for the creation of a centralized “nutrition security system”

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Road salt does more harm than good

In the U.S., 20 million tons of salt are used for highway deicing annually

Chloride does not break down in water, so once it enters waterways and groundwater it becomes a “permanent pollutant, ” putting freshwater ecosystems at risk

Chloride concentrations related to road salt increased in 84% of U.S. streams tested

Freshwater ecosystems are becoming salinated, leading to decreased biodiversity of aquatic animals and plants

In Minnesota’s Twin Cities metro area, 27% of wells monitored in the area’s shallow aquifers had chloride levels that exceeded the EPA drinking water guidelines

Using best management practices, such as proper storage, anti-icing, pre-wetting and storm-speci¦c applications may help reduce road salt usage

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Fighting COVID-19 with junk food bans

Underlying health conditions like obesity, heart disease and diabetes have emerged as key factors in COVID-19 severity and fatalities. Obesity doubles your risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 and raises your risk of death anywhere from 3.68 times to 12 times depending on your level of obesity
 

More than a dozen states in Mexico have decided to combat the pandemic by banning the sale of junk food to minors
 

Two-thirds of Mexicans who died from COVID-19 related complications had underlying medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Officials say dietary changes are necessary to protect youth from developing comorbidities that increase COVID-19 severity and risk of death 

Research shows that among 18- to 49-year-olds hospitalized due to COVID-19, obesity is the most prevalent underlying condition. Processed foods, junk foods and soft drinks are key culprits in the development of obesity
 

In Huntington, New York, town officials have urged residents to “go on a diet because [with] COVID-19, you’re twice as likely to have a poor outcome if you’re obese. ” The U.K. has also vowed to target obesity as part of the country’s coronavirus prevention strategy by restricting junk food ads

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