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DANVILLE — Having a genetic cause of high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease more than having high cholesterol levels alone, a Geisinger-led study found. An estimated 6% to 13% of Americans have very high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as severe hypercholesterolemia. These high LDL levels increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The research team included Geisinger investigators Matthew Oetjens, Ph.D., M.S., Alexander Berry, Ph.D., Laney Jones, PharmD, and Samuel Gidding, M.D. They evaluated genetic data from 11,738 UK ...

Biden administration announces $600M to produce COVID tests and will reopen website to order them

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household — aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in coronavirus cases that has typically come during colder months. The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service. Twelve manufacturers that ...

Make healthy lunches part of your kid’s back to school routine

It’s that time of year again, the time of year that parents love, and students often dread – back to school. There are many routines associated with going back to school, such as buying a backpack and picking out some new sneakers. Just like these are part of the back-to-school routine, ...

Mt. Nittany Medical team set new standard in stroke care

STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany Health is pleased to recognize Ryan Burton, DO, and the Emergency Department team for providing exemplary stroke care to a patient at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Recently, Dr. Burton and team achieved a remarkable 21-minute “door to needle” time in ...

Firefighters fear the toxic chemicals in their gear could be contributing to cancer cases

BOSTON (AP) — Boston firefighter Daniel Ranahan had heard about colleagues getting cancer but he was stunned when doctors discovered a tumor in his chest. He was only 30 and had been in the Boston Fire Department less than a decade. But as he investigated his diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 2020 and sought successful treatment, he learned he and others wore gear that contained the toxic industrial compound PFAS. “You always hear about the dangers. You just never think it’s going be you,” said Ranahan, who stopped working due to the cancer and is among thousands ...

Keeping up with immunizations

It’s that time of year again. Everyone is getting back in the swing of things with school starting. Your child might be due for a check-up at the doctor’s office as well. This annual check-up is a great way to check in and see how your child’s health is developing. Usual topics of ...