Google Cuts Its Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • 3 weeks ago

Google previously announced it was laying off 12,000 employees, or about 6% of the company. Image: Drew Angerer (Getty Images) As layoffs continue to plague the tech sector , even the titans of the industry aren’t safe. Amidst ongoing layoffs at Google , we’ve learned the company has let go of its mental health executive, according to Insider . Kristin Maczko wrote on Linkedin that she served the company for fifteen years, with over one year in the position of Director of Global Mental Health and Wellbeing. According to Maczko’s post, the position’s responsibility was to improve the internal wellbeing and mental health of Google’s employees—a position tha ...

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Missing Radioactive Capsule Sparks Urgent Health Alert In Western Australia

  • 3 weeks ago

Missing Radioactive Capsule Sparks Urgent health Alert In Western Australia (theguardian.com) Posted by BeauHD on Saturday January 28, 2023 @02:00AM from the lost-and-found dept. A tiny radioactive capsule with the potential to cause skin burns has gone missing as it was transported from a mine in Western Australia. The Guardian reports: Hazardous material experts are searching for the 8mm by 6mm capsule, which is believed to have fallen from a truck as it was traveling the 1,400km between a mine site north of Newman in the Pilbara and a depot in Perth. At an emergency press conference on Friday, the WA chief health officer, Andy Robertson, said ...

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Health Care Bias Is Dangerous. But So Are ‘Fairness’ Algorithms

  • 1 month ago

In fact, what we have described here is actually a best case scenario, in which it is possible to enforce fairness by making simple changes that affect performance for each group. In practice, fairness algorithms may behave much more radically and unpredictably. This survey found that, on average, most algorithms in computer vision improved fairness by harming all groups—for example, by decreasing recall and accuracy. Unlike in our hypothetical, where we have decreased the harm suffered by one group, it is possible that leveling down can make everyone directly worse off.  Leveling down runs counter to the objectives of algorithmic fairness and broader equality goals in society: to im ...

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Mental Health Crisis: 10 Ways to Support Your Employees

  • 1 month ago

In the U.S., a mental health crisis costs the economy tens of billions of dollars each year. Almost 19% of U.S. workers rate their mental health as “fair” or “poor,” according to a Gallup survey of 15,809 respondents, and those workers are four times more likely to miss work because of their mental health. The results of Gallup’s survey estimated that these workers are absent for almost 12 days a year, costing the U.S. economy $46.7 billion in lost productivity. “It’s a real wake-up call for U.S. employers that the job has a net negative impact on mental health,” Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup National Health and Well-being Index, told Yahoo Finance, addin ...

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3 Health Care Stocks to Buy During Times of Uncertainty

  • 1 month ago

The stock market witnessed wild swings last year amid soaring inflation, the Fed’s monetary tightening, and geopolitical issues. While inflation has been showing signs of slowing down, raising the possibility of slower rate hikes ahead, rate increases are expected to continue in the months to come. Some experts now see chances of the economy achieving a ‘soft landing.’ However, the recession possibility cannot be ruled out. “US Recession fears are resurfacing as Federal Reserve policymakers flagged that more rate rises are ahead, even though inflation is coming down from dizzying heights and slowing activity is taking a toll on big companies,” Susannah Streeter, senior investmen ...

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Women’s heart health issues & taboos related to reproductive health - Global News

  • 1 month ago

Global News Hour at 6 Edmonton health Matters February 1: A new Heart and Stroke report highlights the health care inequities when it comes to women's heart and brain health. And a new Alberta survey shows the majority of respondents did not feel comfortable talking to their doctor about gynecological and reproductive concerns. Katherine Ward and Su-Ling Goh report. Video Home Women’s heart health issues taboos related to reproductive health Global News Hour at 6 Edmonton Edmontonians raising donations for Turkey earthquake victims Global News Hour at 6 Edmonton Edmonton weather forecast: Friday, February 10, 2023 ...

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French court halts negligence investigation into ex-health minister ... - Reuters

  • 1 month ago

PARIS, Jan 20 (Reuters) - France's top appeals court on Friday threw out a judicial investigation into alleged negligence by former health minister Agnes Buzyn in her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Buzyn, health minister from May 2017 to February 2020, stepped down just after the start of the pandemic to run for mayor of Paris although she failed to get elected. The French government's response during the first months of the pandemic came under fire from the public, with accusations Buzyn had put people's lives at risk by not adequately communicating the dangers of the COVID-19 virus, amongst others. Buzyn has denied being guilty of negligence in her handling of the crisis. In Sept. 20 ...

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Breakingviews - Bayer's rude health lays better path for breakup - Reuters

  • 1 month ago

LONDON, Jan 11 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Bayer’s (BAYGn.DE) crop of improving businesses looks ripe for a split. The $58 billion drugs-to-seeds conglomerate has for years traded at a hefty discount to the sum of its parts, but refused to do anything about it. Activists like Jeff Ubben’s Inclusive Capital Partners may now, however, be in a better position to push for a breakup. Bayer has been a perennial underperformer since its disastrous $66 billion acquisition of Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018. An expensive takeover was soon followed by a wave of court cases from claimants who said the group’s weedkiller gave them cancer. Persistent disappointment and a clunky conglomerate structure ...

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Can AI Help with Mental Health?

  • 1 month ago

Now playing 01:56 Click, Click, Boom! | The Last of Us Review ...

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7 Best Mental Health Apps to Start Using Today - CNET

  • 1 month ago

Mental health apps are an easy resource that helps relieve stress, tame anxiety and elevate your mood. While they're not a replacement for therapy, research shows that the best mental health apps are a great way to improve your well-being and keep tabs on your wellness journey. There's a lot to love about mental health apps: the variety, the affordability and the features. They also bring mental health resources to people who otherwise couldn't get help due to finances, disabilities or location. But they're not all created equal. Not all mental health apps are backed by research or clinical insights. With between 10,000 and 20,000 wellness apps out there, it can be difficult to find the b ...

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Alphabet's health science unit cuts over 200 jobs - Reuters

  • 1 month ago

Jan 11 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) health science unit, Verily Life Sciences, said on Wednesday it had laid off over 200 employees, or about 15% of its workforce, marking the first time in at least six years when Alphabet or its affiliate has announced job cuts. The move follows similar retrenchment exercises in corporate America, concentrated among technology firms and banks, as companies look to curtail spending in a tough economy. "We will advance fewer initiatives with greater resources," Verily said in a blog post. It has stopped development on analytics tool Verily Value Suite and some early-stage products, the company said, adding that some employees will also be moved in ...

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Meditation could have positive impact on gut and overall health

  • 2 months ago

It is a practice favoured by Lena Dunham, Tom Hanks and Lady Gaga to boost their focus and bring about calmness in an often busy, distracted world. Now researchers have found evidence that frequent meditation over several years may help alter the human gut – boosting the body’s immune system and reducing the risk of anxiety, depression and heart disease. In a small study of Buddhist monks, researchers found deep meditation could help regulate the gut microbiome, and lower the risk of physical and mental ill health. The findings feature in the journal General Psychiatry, which is published by the British Medical Journal. “The microbiota enriched in monks was associated with a reduced ...

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U.S. extends public health emergency status for COVID - CNBC - Reuters

  • 2 months ago

[1/2] People wear masks as a protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City, New York, U.S., December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Jan 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. health department on Wednesday extended the COVID-19 pandemic's status as a public health emergency, allowing millions of Americans to continue receiving free tests, vaccines and treatments. The emergency was first declared in January 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic began, and has been renewed each quarter since then. It was due to end this week. The increased availability of vaccines and medications has significantly diminished the COVID-19 pandemic's toll since early in President Joe Bi ...

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ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review 2023

  • 2 months ago

Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page. Pros Cons Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage available for dogs, cats, and horses Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No age limits for coverage Ch ...

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Air pollution hurts Bangladesh GDP as well as health - World Bank - Reuters

  • 2 months ago

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Air pollution in Bangladesh is robbing the South Asian nation of economic growth as well as causing premature death and illness, the World Bank said on Sunday. Pollution sapped gross domestic product by 3.9% to 4.4% in 2019 and was the second-biggest cause of death and disability, the global lender said in a report. That year air pollution caused 78,145 to 88,229 deaths, the World Bank estimated, with the capital Dhaka the most polluted in the country. "Ambient air pollution puts everyone at risk," from children to the elderly, said Dandan Chen, acting country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. "Addressing air pollution is critical for the country's sustainable and green ...

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Misleading Ads Fueled Rapid Growth of Online Mental Health Companies

  • 2 months ago

Misleading Ads Fueled Rapid Growth of Online Mental health Companies (wsj.com) Posted by msmash on Wednesday December 28, 2022 @04:04PM from the closer-look dept. In an advertisement on Facebook and Instagram, a middle-aged man holding a dumbbell says testosterone "literally changed my life," restoring his energy and happiness. What the October ad from telehealth startup Hone Health doesn't say is that the unidentified man is an actor who has never used the prescription drug. From a report: It doesn't mention that testosterone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for men with specific disorders and that among its risks are ...

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China's National Health Commission to stop publishing daily COVID ... - Reuters

  • 2 months ago

[1/5] People wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) stand outside a funeral home, as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in Shanghai, China December 24, 2022. REUTERS/Staff BEIJING, Dec 25 (Reuters) - China's Zhejiang, a big industrial province near Shanghai, is battling around a million new daily COVID-19 infections, a number expected to double in the days ahead, the provincial government said on Sunday. Despite a record surge of cases nationwide, China reported no COVID deaths on the mainland for the five days through Saturday, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sunday. Citizens and experts have called for more accurate data as infectio ...

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4 Ways to Detect Breast Cancer Early - Verywell Health

  • 2 months ago

Early breast cancer detection is when cancer is found before it spreads (metastasizes) to areas other than the breast and lymph nodes in the armpit. Early detection is crucial as it is easier to treat and has a 99% survival rate when found and treated early. There are multiple ways to detect breast cancer early, including through routine screenings and tests, such as mammograms and physical breast exams. Learn about how to detect breast cancer early, the importance of routine screenings, and more. Helen King / Getty Images How to Detect Breast Cancer Early Finding and treating breast cancer early is one of the best ways to improve outcomes. You can do this by regul ...

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Pele's health improving but no forecast for hospital discharge, doctors say - Reuters.com

  • 2 months ago

SAO PAULO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The health of Brazilian soccer great Pele was improving but there was still no forecast for when he could be discharged from hospital after being admitted there late last month, according to a medical report released on Monday. Pele, 82, has been battling colon cancer since September 2021 and was hospitalized on Nov. 29 for doctors to reevaluate his treatment. He is also being treated for a respiratory infection diagnosed following his hospitalization. "The patient continues to show improvement in the clinical status, in particular the respiratory infection. He remains in a regular room, is conscious and with stable vital signs," medical staff at Sao Paulo's A ...

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Cyberattacks on hospitals thwart India's push to digitize health care

  • 2 months ago

Servers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi are still not back to normal two weeks after they were hacked and the data was held for ransom. Amal KS/Hindustan Times via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Amal KS/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Servers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi are still not back to normal two weeks after they were hacked and the data was held for ransom. Amal KS/Hindustan Times via Getty Images In late November, as a thick layer of smog settled on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, patients began to experience extended wait times. Long lin ...

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Explainer: How the World Health Organization might fight future pandemics - Reuters

  • 2 months ago

GENEVA, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Negotiations on new rules for dealing with pandemics are underway at the World Health Organization (WHO), with a target date of May 2024 for a legally binding agreement to be adopted by the U.N. health agency's 194 member countries. A new pact is a priority for WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as his second five-year term at the head of the global health agency gets underway. It seeks to shore up the world's defences against new pathogens following the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 6.5 million people, according to the WHO. The global health agency itself is facing calls for reform after an independent panel described it as "underpowered" when COV ...

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White House to ask for $10 bln in public health funds by year end -report - Reuters

  • 2 months ago

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Officials from U.S. President Joe Biden's administration are finalizing a request this week for about $10 billion in public health funds by the end of the year, The Washington Post reported on Monday. This would be part of larger request in the lame-duck session of Congress that will include funding for Ukraine and disaster relief for hurricane damage in Florida, the article said. The request includes $8.25 billion for COVID-response efforts, including a successor to Operation Warp Speed that some call "Project Covid Shield," the Post reported. It said officials also were debating seeking $2 billion for other health efforts, including about $1 billion for the global COVID ...

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Amid health fears, plastic makers pledge greater transparency over chemicals - Reuters.com

  • 2 months ago

[1/2] Citizen scientists use tweezers to remove microplastics from a sample to a separate container at Manly Cove Beach in Sydney, Australia, April 17, 2021. REUTERS/James Redmayne Nov 30 (Reuters) - Plastic makers need to be more transparent about the chemicals used in their products, a leading chemicals industry group has said, as concern mounts about the health impacts of the everyday material finding its way into the food chain and human bodies. Tiny fragments of plastic have been found in blood samples, stools and placentas of unborn babies, recent studies have shown. Scientists are trying to understand the health risks of this new phenomenon, but concerns range from the impact o ...

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As measles outbreak sickens dozens of children in Ohio, local health officials seek help from CDC

  • 2 months ago

How vaccines stop the spread of viruses 01:26 - Source: CNN CNN  —  A growing measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, has sickened more than a dozen unvaccinated children and hospitalized nine of them, and local public health officials are seeking assistance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We asked the CDC for assistance and they will be sending two epidemiologists at the end of the month to assist with our local investigation,” Kelli Newman, a spokesperson for Columbus Public Health, told CNN in an email Thursday. The CDC confirmed Thursday that it is aware of the cases and is “deploying a small team to Ohio to assist on th ...

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Improve Mental Health Next Year by Breaking 17 Financial Rules

  • 2 months ago

If financial rules affect your mental health, they may need to be broken. However, this doesn’t mean making bad decisions just for the sake of having fun. Instead, this is giving yourself permission to take a break from all the strict must-dos and figure out a healthier alternative. Furthermore, depriving yourself entirely just to save money may be detrimental to your health. A little money spent on something you enjoy is an essential component of wellness. So, with that in mind, take advantage of these 17 financial rules to better care of yourself. 1. Invest and save for retirement only after you are debt-free. It’s a generally good rule. But there are a few exceptions. To start w ...

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6 Easy Thought Exercises to Elevate Your Mental Health - CNET

  • 2 months ago

Negative thinking can seriously impact your mental health. Thought exercises are a simple and no-cost way to kick negative thinking. They can help you see things in a new light, and put you back in control.  Not only can thought exercises help you ease stress, they also can help us to make our subconscious thoughts go in more productive, helpful directions over time, and they'll eventually cut out those negative thinking patterns entirely. If you're wondering where to start, you're in the right place. We pulled together a list of the top six thought exercises that improve mental health, and we'll show you how to perform them.  Also learn which foods to eat for a happiness boost an ...

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Scientists develop motion-powered health monitors for cows

  • 2 months ago

Cows on farms could soon have their health, reproductive readiness and location monitored by smart technology powered by the kinetic energy of the animal’s movements. Devices that monitor the health of each cow or keep them within invisible fences are already used on farms but these smart tools are often powered by chemical batteries, which add to energy used by an emissions-intensive industry. Alternatives such as solar-powered monitors – deployed in Britain to create fenceless grazing for cows – may depend on the weather. But researchers from China writing in the journal iScience have designed a wearable smart device for cows that captures the kinetic energy created by their smalle ...

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Medibank: Data stolen from Australia health insurance available online

  • 2 months ago

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The group behind the breach says more data will soon be published By Tiffanie Turnbull BBC News, Sydney Personal data of hundreds of Australians has been posted online after it was stolen from the country's largest health insurer, Medibank. Some health claims data - including medical procedure history - was released, along with names, addresses, birthdates and government ID numbers. PM Anthony Albanese said that as a Medibank customer he was among those concerned their data may become public. "This is really tough for people," he said on Wednesday. The data of 9.7 million Medibank customers was stolen last mon ...

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Cue Health Cue Reader Review: Accurate and Expensive Covid-19 Test Kit

  • 2 months ago

I’ve tried a dozen at-home Covid tests over the past year. If it’s on the shelf at a drugstore, pharmacy, or grocery store, I’ve probably used it multiple times. But whenever I open a test like BinaxNow or QuickVue, I still reach for the instruction manual, mostly out of fear that I’ll mess up a crucial step. It’s been a constant reminder of why I prefer using Cue Health’s Cue Reader diagnostic tool over any other at-home test. It’s free of tubes, solutions, cassettes, and test strips. I wasn’t always a fan of this Covid-19 test kit. Last year, I initially passed on recommending it due to its mind-boggling $444 starting price, which has since dropped to $394 (and is still ...

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