Good Morning!
It’s Monday, March 23. Today, we’re diving into the big health headlines and breaking down what they actually mean for your daily routine.
On the radar today:
Why the winter blues just won’t go away this March?
Holding that grudge might be causing you some health troubles.
Is the calorie count on the nutrition labels accurate?
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Health Check
Parents Are Increasingly Refusing Routine Newborn Care
AP News tracks a troubling trend emerging across US hospitals in a new report — the mistrust in medicine now extends past vaccines to other preventive treatments for infants. One study in JAMA reveals that refusals of the Vitamin K shot nearly doubled between 2017 and 2024. It has been part of a decades-old routine care, and research says skipping the shot means being 81 times more likely to suffer severe, potentially fatal bleeding in the brain or intestines. In Idaho alone, doctors linked 8 infant deaths to Vitamin K deficiency in just 13 months.
The report also notes that parents who decline the Vitamin K shot are significantly more likely to also refuse Hepatitis B vaccinations and erythromycin eye ointment (essential for preventing blindness caused by infections during birth).
What’s Behind It: Experts who spoke to AP News say conflicting social media advice, political shifts, and even a resurgence of natural birth philosophy are furthering this divide. Back in January, the CDC announced an overhaul of the childhood immunization schedule that reduced the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 17 to 11. A federal judge has temporarily blocked that decision, but that hasn’t fixed the underlying skepticism.
In Brief: Health & Science
🗞️ The FDA has approved a higher dose version of Novo Nordisk’s weight loss injection Wegovy. As per phase three trial results, patients with obesity who used the high-dose injection lost an average 20.7% of their weight after 72 weeks.
🗞️ A massive study of 340,000 UK adults suggests that at low-to-moderate levels, wine is linked to lower mortality and a 21% drop in cardiovascular death. However, beer, cider, and spirits were tied to higher health risks, even in small amounts.
🗞️ Nearly 90,000 bottles of children’s ibuprofen sold across the US have been recalled due to the presence of “foreign substances”, the FDA revealed in an enforcement report issued on Friday.
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Living Well
🕊️ Let Go Of That Grudge
We won’t pretend that forgiveness is easy, but it might be a fruitful health hack. A NPJ Mental Health study of 200,000 people across 23 countries found that a person’s level of dispositional forgiveness — or the simple habit of letting things go — is linked to better psychological and social well-being. Women’s Health suggests you think of it as a process rather than a one-time decision. You don’t have to condone someone’s behaviour; all you’re doing is releasing the stress that’s keeping you worried.
🍽️ The “Hows” And “Whens” Of Eating
How accurate is the calorie count on a nutrition label? Well, there is some room for error. The FDA actually allows a 20% discrepancy on labels, and as NBC News reports, that’s because the math behind these numbers is much dependent on food structures, internal clocks, and other body functions. Another BBC report details how eating the bulk of your calories at breakfast rather than dinner could lead to weight loss, even if the number of calories you consume remains the same.
🔪 What We Get Wrong About Food Safety
Your go-to food safety habits you swear by in the kitchen might be plain wrong — dietitian Kathleen Benson lists some for The Daily Meal. Did you know cooked leftovers only stay safe for 3 to 4 days? Refrigeration merely slows bacteria; it doesn't stop them completely. Thawing meat on the counter is another risky move. Some good news, a "Best Before" date doesn't necessarily mean the food is toxic the next day.
☁️ Where Are The Good March Days?
If you’ve been feeling sluggish lately, don’t beat yourself up — The New York Times calls this the weather whiplash of March. The month is notorious for extremes (this year, the US even broke all-time heatwave records). So if you’ve witnessed the false starts of spring followed by cloudy skies, your internal clock isn’t too happy with the changes. What cures the blues? Experts say 30 minutes of morning light therapy and even a quick morning walk are beneficial hacks.
Try This Instead
📴 Lose your cellphones
Constant phone checking is usually just a habit of convenience. Trying to break the loop? Take a cue from NPR readers and introduce some physical friction to your daily routine.
Here are some reader-suggested tips:
Don't save your passwords. Manually typing it in will give you a second to ask yourself, “Do I actually need to be on this app?”
Carry a pocket journal. When you have a random quick search thought, write it down instead of opening a browser.
Charge your phone in a different room. If you have to walk down the hall to check it, you’ll do it much less often.
In The Kitchen
🥒 Per Megan Ginsberg’s recipe for EatingWell, try this Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich — a cooling and crunchy lunch that layers a tangy feta-yogurt spread with avocado and crisp veggies.
The Perks: 10-minute active time, no-cook prep, plus a versatile feta base.
Health Food: High in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, hydrating, and nutrient-dense from the whole-wheat bread.
Macros: 16g protein | 21g fat | 37g carb | 394 calories (per serving).
Ask the Expert
Have a health question you’ve been unsure about? We’re collecting reader queries for expert-backed answers.
Thanks for reading! At The Blue & Green Letter, we track wellness trends and health essentials every day, bringing you one well-curated update to help you live well and stay informed.
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Disclaimer: The information shared here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Our content is sourced from reputable health publications and government data. Readers are encouraged to review the original articles and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.