Trending News Today: 21st Century Cures Act Passes Through Senate

The US Senate approved the 21^st Century Cures Act, a law that would increase funding in certain research areas, while also improving the mental healthcare system. Despite criticism from many Democratic Representatives, President Barack Obama strongly supported the bill, The New York Times reported. The new law passed 94 to 5 in the Senate, after it passed in the House last week.

Life expectancy in the United States decreased for the first time in more than 20 years. Deaths from 8 of the top 10 causes of death increased. The findings also revealed that many white middle-aged individuals are dying from overdoses, alcoholism, and suicide, according to The Washington Post. While these numbers could reverse themselves next year, the findings suggest that overall health is declining in the United States, according to the report.

The US Surgeon General recently said that the increasing use of e-cigarettes among young adults has become a major public health concern, according to The New York Times. The use of e-cigarettes recently surpassed the use of tobacco cigarettes, which shows a need for stronger preventative initiatives for this population. The inhalation of nicotine can damage brain development in adolescents and produce a secondhand smoke-like aerosol that can affect individuals in the surrounding areas.