Health Rewind: What’s Fueling HIV Among Young Gay Black Men?

HIV on the rise, a weight loss hero and more health news.

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Gay Black Men and HIV: Looking Beyond Behavior - In time for World AIDS Day, The Atlantic’s Kenyon Farrow examined what’s behind the growing AIDS epidemic among young African-American gay and bisexual men. Farrow reminds us that while Black gay men report higher condom use, they are more likely to live in areas with high HIV prevalence, which means “one slip-up creates a higher probability of infection.” — Kellee Terrell(Photo: AIDS-USA/ REUTERS/Mike Segar)

Polar Vortex Brings in “Pollen Vortex” This Allergy Season - Health experts are predicting that the extreme winter we experienced this year is going to make allergy season one of the worst ever. Why? Because the winter pushed back pollen season and now all of the plants are dumping pollen right now instead of in phases, Mother Jones writes. Are you ready for the Pollen Vortex?(Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

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Ah-Choo! - While last year’s flu season was pretty mild, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict that this year could be a different story. They believe that influenza cases have rapidly increased in five states and that this particular strain is making folks sicker than normal. Our advice: Get a flu shot.(Photo: GettyImages)

The Price of the Game - A new study suggests routine hits to the head are linked to degenerative brain disease, particularly in contact-heavy positions such as lineman and running back in football. Eighty percent of the people in the study — the majority of which played sports — showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, an incurable disease resulting in memory loss, depression and dementia. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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The Price of the Game - A new study suggests routine hits to the head are linked to degenerative brain disease, particularly in contact-heavy positions such as lineman and running backs in football. Eighty percent of the people in the study — the majority of which played sports — showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, an incurable disease resulting in memory loss, depression and dementia. — Britt Middleton(Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Bridging the Achievement Gap Among Black Boys - By fourth grade, about 60 percent of Black and Latino children score below proficient on reading tests, and by eighth grade, about one in four are chronically absent. California state assemblymen and women have addressed this problem by launching an investigation whose results will be coming out in a few weeks.(Photo: Micah Walter/Getty Images)

Hydrate, Hydrate - It’s important to make sure you drink a lot of H20 on your period. It sounds odd, but water keeps your body from retaining water and helps to avoid painful bloating during menstruation. Warm or hot water or tea is better for cramps as hot liquids increase blood flow and relax muscles. (Photo: Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images)

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Is Polluted Tap Water to Blame for Allergies? - Why have allergies to nuts, wheat and shellfish soared in the past two decades? A recent report points to purifying chemicals found in tap water as the culprit. Researchers found that those with “higher levels of dichlorophenols were 80 percent more likely to have food allergies than those with lower levels” reported Time.com.(Photo: GettyImages)

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Teen Smoking and Osteoporosis Linked - Both Black and white girls who smoke may be increasing their chance of weakening their bones when they get older. A recent report surveyed young girls ages 13-19 and found that those who abused nicotine were more likely to have lower bone density by the time they were 19, reported HealthDay News.(Photo: GettyImages)

NYC High Schools Give Plan B Contraceptive to Teens - In an effort to curb teen pregnancy across the city, New York City’s Department of Education will allow school nurses to administer the contraceptive known as Plan B and the injectable birth control Depo-Provera to students at 13 high schools. Students won't need parental consent for treatments unless their parents sign a letter opting out. (Photo: Teva Pharmaceuticals)

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Can Plan B Help Reduce Teen Pregnancies? - In hopes to reduce teen pregnancy in the U.S., the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced in a statement that more doctors should write prescriptions for Plan B, a form of emergency contraception, for their patients younger than 17 or give them a supplemental dose just in case. Currently, women younger than 17 need a prescription and women 17 and older can purchase it over-the-counter.(Photo: Teva Pharmaceuticals)

A Desk That Doubles as a Treadmill - We know that sitting all day is bad for your health, but even people who exercise are negatively affected by sitting too. So what can you do? To address this crisis, innovators and everyday people have taken things into their own hands by either inventing office knick-knacks or by incorporating a “gym” lifestyle at work, reports the New York Times. How do you stay healthy at work?(Photo: Steelcase)

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A Desk That Doubles as a Treadmill - We know that sitting all day is bad for your health, but even people who exercise are negatively affected by sitting too. So what can you do? To address this crisis, innovators and everyday people have taken things into their own hands by either inventing office knick-knacks or by incorporating a “gym” lifestyle at work, reports the New York Times. How do you stay healthy at work?(Photo: Steelcase)

Worries - The economy tops the list of things Americans are concerned about, with 68 percent saying they worry a "great deal" about federal spending and the budget deficit, according to a Gallup poll published on March 26. They're followed by the availability and affordability of health care (61 percent), gas prices (55 percent) and unemployment (51 percent).  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Mental Illness Up Among Young Americans - Mental illness isn’t just a white or older person’s disease. According to a recent federal survey, rates of mental illness — depression, bipolar disorder, etc. — have increased by nearly 30 percent among young people ages 15-24, with African-Americans seeing an increase as well. HealthDay also reported a strong link between young people suffering from mental illness and illegal drug use.(Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

Weight Loss Wonder - Obesity affects almost 54 percent of Black women, but that doesn’t have to be our destiny. Black Voices highlights the journey of April Dixon, 25, who went from 260 pounds to 135 with the help of walking, strength training and portion control. Small, gradual lifestyle changes can really make all the difference. (Photo: Courtesy April Dixon via Huffington Post)

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Weight Loss Wonder - Obesity affects almost 54 percent of Black women, but that doesn’t have to be our destiny. Black Voices highlights the journey of April Dixon, 25, who went from 260 pounds to 135 with the help of walking, strength training and portion control. Small, gradual lifestyle changes can really make all the difference. (Photo: Courtesy April Dixon via Huffington Post)

Menus to Warn How Much Time It Will Take to Burn Off Calories - Past studies have found that displaying calorie content at fast food joints and chain restaurants may not deter people from overeating. But researchers from Texas Christian University found that people who were aware of how much exercise it would take burn off an order of fries or a burger ate less calories than folks who either had a calorie count or no calorie info at all, reported Time.com. (Photo: Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

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Can Eating Salads at Fast Food Joints Still Make You Fat? - Just because more fast food joints are offering “healthier” fare doesn’t mean that you are eating less calories, says a recent report. Researchers from Temple University found that eating a salad (for example, fried chicken with ranch dressing) had the same calories as eating a sandwich (fried chicken sandwich with mayo). The takeaway: Eat with caution. (Photo: Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)