Flu activity is low, but experts worry about a new strain and vaccination rates

November 28, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is starting slowly, and it’s unclear if it will be as bad as last winter’s, but some health experts are worried as U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Friday shows a new version of the virus has emerged. An early analysis suggests current vaccines may still be somewhat effective against the new version of the flu, which has been the main driver of recent infections, CDC data shows. Some scientists and medical professionals are more worried about disappointing vaccination rates, a main reason why flu hospitalizations ...

Here’s a strategy to get through stressful holiday gatherings. Act like a dull rock

November 28, 2025

The holidays are a time of merriment, festivity — and, for many, tense family gatherings. People think, “How do I deal with relatives who, at times, are intrusive or trigger me or say things that are abusive?” said Mark Rapaport, president-elect of the American Psychiatric ...

Tips for managing diabetes during the holiday season

November 21, 2025

The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection and plenty of delicious food. But for those managing diabetes, this time of year can also bring unique challenges. From festive gatherings to family dinners, the abundance of sweets and rich dishes can make it difficult to keep blood ...

Understanding and managing COPD

November 21, 2025

November is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to one of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States — yet one that is often misunderstood or undiagnosed. COPD is not a single disease but a group of lung conditions, ...

Geisinger awarded grant to transform prediction of dangerous cardiovascular emergency

November 21, 2025

DANVILLE — Researchers at Geisinger have been awarded funding to pioneer a new approach to predicting thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) — a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency that often occurs without warning. The grant, from The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, will support development of an advanced AI and machine learning–based predictive tool to identify patients at highest risk for TAD earlier and more accurately than current methods. “Traditional approaches rely heavily on measuring the size of the aorta, but many patients dissect without ever reaching ...

Mount Nittany Health earns ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group

November 21, 2025

STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany Health is proud to announce that it has once again earned an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for the Fall 2025 reporting period. This national recognition reaffirms Mount Nittany Health’s unwavering commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care to patients throughout the region. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a widely respected benchmark that evaluates hospitals on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other safety concerns. Mount Nittany Health’s continued “A” grade reflects the dedication of its entire ...