October 2009 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Elder Care Costs Keep Climbing

By April Fulton Another reason to start saving your money, or at least consider spending your Golden Years on the Great Plains, is the rising cost of long-term care. A fresh survey from the health insurance industry shows the cost of all sorts of care...

Published Wed, Oct 28 2009 6:02 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Aging

Think You Have Swine Flu? Ask Your Computer

By Joanne Silberner Wondering if you have swine flu and should head to the doctor or emergency room? This flu quiz won't hurt a bit. (Microsoft) A few weeks ago we wrote about work on a series of questions and answers to help you puzzle out whether...

Published Wed, Oct 07 2009 10:53 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Swine Flu (H1N1)

Name Changer Is Rarely A Game Changer, Madame Speaker

By Ron Elving Down in Florida this week, visiting with seniors in a place called Sunrise, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi adopted a shiny new name for the "public option" -- the issue on which hangs the fate of the health care overhaul. She called...

Published Thu, Oct 29 2009 9:34 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul

One Dose of H1N1 Vaccine Or Two?

By Richard Knox Even kids can get by with a single dose of swine flu vaccine, says the World Health Organization. But the U.S. is not so sure just yet. WHO previously recommended two shots for kids younger than 10. But the new one-shot deal contradicts...

Published Fri, Oct 30 2009 3:45 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Swine Flu (H1N1)

Putting A Number On The Uninsured

By Scott Hensley Sometimes how journalists cover a story becomes part of the story. Click on the image for an interactive map from NPR showing the uninsured by state and congressional district. Recently, NPR health editor Joe Neel, who sits just down...

Published Fri, Oct 16 2009 2:32 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Insurance, Immigrants

Women Who Had Mammograms Fared Better With *** Cancer

By Richard Knox The life-saving value of mammograms has been debated a lot, causing some women to question recommendations for annual exams. The white arrow points out cancer in this mammogram. (NIH via Wikimedia Commons) (The white arrow points out cancer...

Published Thu, Oct 08 2009 10:25 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Cancer

Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage Sparks Discontent

By Scott Hensley In a sign of just how tight the supply of swine flu vaccine is, New York officials said yesterday they are backing down on mandatory vaccination of health-care workers. People line up for swine flu vaccine in Indianapolis on Thursday...

Published Fri, Oct 23 2009 6:52 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Swine Flu (H1N1), Vaccines

Food Makers Suspend 'Smart Choices'

By Maggie Mertens With the Food and Drug Administration cracking down on food claims, the folks behind the controversial Smart Choices logo are taking it off grocery store shelves. The manufacturer-sponsored program, which slaps Smart Choices logos on...

Published Fri, Oct 23 2009 2:45 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: FDA

Revived Public Option May Freeze Out Snowe

By Mary Agnes Carey Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's always looking for Republicans to support his party's policy initiatives but they're hard to find. Yet the move he made Monday may chase away Sen. Olympia Snowe, the only Republican...

Published Tue, Oct 27 2009 5:14 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul

Free Surgery Attracts Uninsured In Colorado

By Scott Hensley As Washington wrangles over how to expand health coverage, some folks are taking direct action to help the uninsured right now. People wait to be screened for a chance at free surgery in Pueblo, Colo. (Cameron Allen) (Cameron Allen) Read...

Published Fri, Oct 09 2009 11:53 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Insurance

Finance Finally Gets to Yes On Health Bill

By Julie Rovner and April Fulton Many people thought this day would never come. And despite dueling studies about the impact released over the weekend, the Senate Finance Committee votes on a bill to revamp the nation's health system. The Senate Finance...

Published Tue, Oct 13 2009 5:58 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul

Mask Skirmish Marks New Front In Swine Flu Battle

By Richard Knox So when the swine flu hits, should the doctors and nurses at your local hospital make do with regular old surgical masks to keep the new H1N1 virus at bay or go with a beefier and more costly respirator? N-95 masks, like this one being...

Published Thu, Oct 15 2009 6:57 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Swine Flu (H1N1)

Tap The Internet For Help Estimating Health Prices

By Scott Hensley Figuring out ahead of time what a particular medical procedure will cost is one of the most intractable of problems for consumers. Fire up your computer for help navigating health costs. (iStockphoto.com) (iStockphoto.com) --> Hunting...

Published Wed, Oct 28 2009 7:06 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Insurance, Costs

Family Doctors Sign Educational Deal With Coca-Cola

By Maggie Mertens When health questions crop up, the first resource for answers is often the family doctor. But if eating right is on your mind, how would you feel if the doctor's professional society is taking money from the soft-drink industry?...

Published Thu, Oct 15 2009 2:01 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Doctors, Public Health, Ethics

Carbon Monoxide Takes Turn As Treatment

By Scott Hensley Here's an experiment you definitely should not try at home: breathing low levels of the poisonous gas carbon monoxide to fight disease. Flame on! carbon monoxide researchers. (iStockphoto.com) ?s=12" alt="flame logo."...

Published Fri, Oct 16 2009 6:48 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Research

October 2009 - NPR Health Blog

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Elder Care Costs Keep Climbing

Think You Have Swine Flu? Ask Your Computer

Name Changer Is Rarely A Game Changer, Madame Speaker

One Dose of H1N1 Vaccine Or Two?

Putting A Number On The Uninsured

Women Who Had Mammograms Fared Better With *** Cancer

Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage Sparks Discontent

Food Makers Suspend 'Smart Choices'

Revived Public Option May Freeze Out Snowe

Free Surgery Attracts Uninsured In Colorado

Finance Finally Gets to Yes On Health Bill

Mask Skirmish Marks New Front In Swine Flu Battle

Tap The Internet For Help Estimating Health Prices

Family Doctors Sign Educational Deal With Coca-Cola

Carbon Monoxide Takes Turn As Treatment