YORK, Pa. —
Save your brain--don't smoke
If you want to avoid cognitive decline, don't smoke.
A new study from scientists at the University College London says smoking may be a key reason why older adults develop dementia later in life.
It looked at 32,000 adults between 50 and 104 and found smoking was associated with faster cognitive decline, much more than the other factors studied like sedentary lifestyles or unhealthy eating. Smokers' memory decline and verbal fluency dropped further than with any of the other factors.
Election is furthering mental health crisis
America is in the middle of a mental health crisis--and the election isn't helping.
According to a recent study by Myriad Genetics, two in five Americans report feeling depressed or anxious about the upcoming presidential election. The results also found Gen-Z and Millennials are more likely to feel depressed about it compared to Gen-X and Baby Boomers.
Health experts say while the worry is real right now, the uncomfortable emotions are only temporary for most. Experts say to call your doctor if the stress and anxiety begin affecting your physical health, your work or your family life.
Funding for Johns Hopkins students
A major donation to Johns Hopkins University will allow many students to attend medical school for free.
The $1 billion gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies will go toward paying off tuition for students whose families earn less than $300,000 dollars a year. The donation will also cover living expenses and fees for students from households that make up to $175,000.
The organization says about 45% of the current class will receive money for at least living expenses.