Heather Armstrong, pioneering mommy blogger and founder of Dooce.com, has died at the age of 47. Her death was confirmed by her boyfriend, Pete Ashdown, who said she had died by suicide at their Salt Lake City home. Armstrong was known for her honest and open approach to motherhood, her struggles with depression and alcoholism, and her popular website Dooce.com, which she began in 2001. Her death is a tragic loss for the blogging community.
Posts published in “Health”
The United Kingdom has seen the birth of its first babies created using an experimental technique known as mitochondrial donation, which combines DNA from three people to prevent the children from inheriting rare genetic diseases. The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has confirmed that fewer than five babies have been born this way and that the technique has been rigorously tested and regulated to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The technique is only used in cases where the mother is at risk of passing on serious genetic diseases to her children and is not used to create designer babies or to alter the characteristics of the baby.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) returned to the Senate floor on Wednesday after a nearly three-month absence due to health issues. She was greeted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and had missed 91 floor votes during her absence. Feinstein's return is crucial to move President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees to the floor, as she sits on the Judiciary Committee.
Two FDA advisory panels have voted unanimously to recommend that a birth control pill, called Opill, become available without a prescription, which would make it the first birth control pill available for over-the-counter sales in the United States. The FDA is not required to follow the recommendation, but the vote is expected to weigh heavily on its final decision, expected in late summer. Advocates argue that over-the-counter access to birth control would make it more accessible and reduce the need for doctor visits.
After a nearly three-month absence due to shingles, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is set to return to the Senate this week. Her presence is essential to the passage of important legislation, and her return is welcomed by both Democrats and Republicans alike. Feinstein has served in the Senate since 1992 and is the first woman to serve as the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.
A Louisiana man was arrested on Monday after allegedly shooting and wounding a 14-year-old girl who was playing hide-and-seek on his property. The incident has sparked a conversation about the impact of gun violence on children and the need for stricter gun control laws and better education on gun safety. It has also raised questions about the need for better mental health resources in the community to help address the underlying issues of potential violence.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended biennial breast cancer screenings for women starting at age 40, earlier than the previous recommendation of age 50. This is due to an increase in breast cancer rates among women in their 40s, and the new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying due to breast cancer. Women in their 40s should talk to their doctor about getting screened, particularly if they have a family history of breast cancer.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced the death of Nicolas “Nick” Gilbert, the son of owner Dan Gilbert, due to complications related to neurofibromatosis 1. Nick was diagnosed with NF1 as a child and was best known for his role as the Cavs’ good luck charm during several NBA Draft Lotteries. The Cavaliers organization expressed their condolences to the Gilbert family and thanked Nick for his “unrelenting spirit” that was a “driving force” behind the team.