Health

A campus that banned smartphones made its students happier. Why? Because the phones are like any other addictive substance, says Anna Lembke, author of "Dopamine Nation": "Over time, our brains will adapt" and put us "in a dopamine deficit state...akin to a clinical depression or to an anxiety disorder. Now, we're using this substance not to feel good or get high but just to bring ourselves back up to baseline."

Inside an Ottawa children's hospital battling against rising RSV, COVID-19, flu cases

Radio/White Coat, Black Art: A surge in respiratory illnesses, shortages of kids’ medications, COVID-19 and the start of cold and flu season have left children’s hospitals straining to meet demand, says the president of an Ottawa children’s hospital.

These Ontario parents want province to make masks mandatory in classrooms again

Parents and volunteers have formed the Ontario School Safety group, which is calling on the provincial government to bring back measures to curb spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in schools. The group says they're even mulling taking legal action to see the changes.

Don't assume Danielle Smith will stop re-litigating COVID if that's what Albertans want

News/Canada/Calgary: When the new premier despairs over COVID restrictions, she's siding with minority opinion in the province.

What if I wet the bed? At 84, I tackle my fears and face aging head on

News/Canada/Calgary: What does it take to age well? For Sheilah Bissett, the key was to stop and face her new limitations head on. Then, she could embrace what she can still do.

Moderna is banking on a combined COVID, flu and RSV vaccine. Will it work?

News/Health: Moderna is developing a combined COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccine — but hasn't released data to show it would work safely.

When grieving, you may need 3 things only your dog can likely provide

Grief is an experience individual to each person, but generally it can help to have someone there for you. A dog may be perfect. Experts share how to know if a dog could help you and how to bring one into your life.

SickKids to reduce number of surgeries to focus on critical care amid influx of ICU patients

News/Canada/Toronto: Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children says it will reduce the number of surgeries it performs starting on Monday in an effort to preserve its ability to provide critical care.

Just 2 Omicron subvariants make up 44% of all US COVID cases

Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ1.1 were responsible for roughly 44.2% of COVID-19 cases in the United States during the week of Nov. 6–12, 2022, according to public health officials.

Emergency supply of kids' meds are coming amid national shortage

News/Health: Emergency supplies of pain and fever medication are expected to arrive soon at hospitals overwhelmed by respiratory illnesses but observers say more can be done to guard against future drug shortages.

Many patients with weak immune systems don't realize their Covid-19 medicine isn't as effective as it used to be

Judy Salins considers herself a smart, empowered patient, but until this week, she had no idea that the medicine she takes to defend herself against Covid-19 isn't protecting her as well as it used to.

An early surge of respiratory syncytial virus is putting young children across the country at risk. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez explains what symptoms require medical attention.

What parents should watch for with respiratory illness

Respiratory viruses including flu and RSV are circulating across the United States at high levels, overwhelming children's hospitals and prompting concern among parents of young children. Most kids who get sick this season will recover quickly with home care, but some will need medical attention. What should parents watch for, and how might they know it's time to call their pediatrician or go to the ER?

At the brain bank in Denmark's Bispebjerg Hospital, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta has the chance to examine a full healthy brain and a brain that received a lobotomy. Warning: Images of the brains might be disturbing for some viewers.

Flu season already hitting hard across half of the US

About half of the US -- 22 states, along with Washington, DC, New York City and Puerto Rico -- is reporting high or very high respiratory illness activity, as flu season sweeps through the country weeks earlier than usual.

Catch sight of a fireball in the night sky this weekend

The Taurid "swarm" is still going strong this month, with bright meteors known as fireballs visible across the world in the night sky.

Health-care providers 'woefully unprepared' to treat chronic pain, says advocate

Radio/The Current: The federal government is hoping $5 million in funding will provide relief to people struggling with chronic pain, and reduce the amount of people looking to those potentially toxic street drugs as an alternative. But some advocates say more needs to be done.

My son was not a 'war hero.' But he fought — and lost — the battle of depression

News/Canada: Andy Griffin’s son died by suicide. As he struggles to come to terms with Ryan’s decision, he realizes so few people know what to say to him about his son’s death.

Canada is seeing an early rise in flu cases. Is a 'tidal wave' of infection coming?

News/Health: Canada is on track to face its first full flu season in several years — one that’s starting earlier than usual, all while the country’s healthcare system is already grappling with respiratory infections like COVID-19 and RSV.

NASA inspects Artemis I rocket after Hurricane Nicole

The Artemis I moon rocket is still standing after battling Hurricane Nicole, which made landfall as a Category 1 storm roughly 70 miles south from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida overnight. The $4.1 billion rocket rode out the storm while sitting exposed on its launchpad.