Vaping among teens and young people is consistently linked to subsequent smoking, marijuana and alcohol use, finds an overarching (umbrella) review of systematic reviews of the evidence, published online in the journal Tobacco Control.

And it’s associated with other harmful consequences, including heightened risks of asthma, cough, injuries and mental ill health as well as possibly pneumonia, bronchitis, headaches, migraine, dizziness/lightheadedness, low sperm count, and poor mouth health. 

A new cross-national study reveals that older adults with disabilities are significantly less likely to receive preventive care, such as flu vaccinations, eye exams, and dental checkups. This gap remains the same for eye exams and dental care but is eliminated for flu vaccinations in countries that invest more in public healthcare. Based on data from nearly 47,000 individuals across 27 high- and middle-income countries, the study shows a strong correlation between higher government health spending and increased access to preventive services, particularly among vulnerable populations. The findings highlight the critical role of healthcare funding in promoting equitable preventive care and point to the need for targeted policies that combine investment with disability support to ensure healthier, more inclusive aging.