November 2010 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Experimental Pill For 'Good' Cholesterol Shines In Safety Study

A daily pill from Merck raised HDL cholesterol by 138 percent in people who got the medicine compared with those who didn't. The pill, which hasn't been approved by the Food an Drug Administration, also cut bad cholesterol by 38 percent. Read...

Published Wed, Nov 17 2010 1:19 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Cholera Vaccine In The Caribbean: A Hypothetical Lifesaver

Vaccines against cholera exist, but they're unlikely to be used to blunt the epidemic unfolding in Haiti. The global supply of the vaccines is quite small, and public health experts are divided on whether they would be worthwhile. Read More...

Published Wed, Nov 17 2010 7:43 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Bowing To Pressure, Maker Of Four Loko To Drop Caffeine

As the Food and Drug Administration reportedly prepares to take regulatory action against drinks that combine alcohol and caffeine, the maker of Four Loko said it's eliminating the stimulants from the popular beverage. Read More...

Published Wed, Nov 17 2010 5:58 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

How Life Ends For Cancer Patients Depends On The Hospital

An analysis of Medicare data finds many cancer patients are getting aggressive care toward the end of life. The intensive approach might not be best for them and adds to the drain on Medicare's budget. Read More...

Published Tue, Nov 16 2010 12:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

A Busy Heart Doctor Offers Stress Tips For Women

Dr. Michelle Albert is the lead researcher on a new study about how high-stress jobs can affect women's heart health. As a busy, stressed woman herself, she has some thoughts on what women can do to help their hearts. Read More...

Published Tue, Nov 16 2010 10:57 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Friends Of Health Overhaul Defend It In Federal Court Case

Now advocates of the federal health overhaul are chiming in on a legal challenge to the law's constitutionality. Hospitals and a group of economists make make their cases. Read More...

Published Tue, Nov 16 2010 8:57 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Maternity Coverage Proves Costly For Women Buying Individual Policies

Individual health insurance policies rarely cover expenses related to maternity care without the purchase of an expensive rider. Add in other charges and having a baby can be a very expensive proposition, even with insurance. Read More...

Published Tue, Nov 16 2010 5:45 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

For A Healthier Middle-Aged Heart, Try Less Salt As A Teen

If teens cut their salt intake by 3 grams a day -- about half a teaspoon's worth of salt -- more than 100,000 teens could avoid getting cardiovascular disease by age 50. Why? Lower blood pressure and better eating habits. Read More...

Published Mon, Nov 15 2010 1:46 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

What Do Women Really Want? Oxytocin

Women who produce more of the trust hormone oxytocin are happier, more gregarious and resilient, researchers say. The latest findings come from an experiment in which scientists assessed women's happiness before and after a stranger gave them $24...

Published Mon, Nov 15 2010 12:49 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

FDA Says Defibrillators Need Improvement

Laymen can save people's lives by using automatic external defibrillators to shock their hearts back to life. But the Food and Drug Administration says a pattern of design and manufacturing problems shows improvements are needed. Read More...

Published Mon, Nov 15 2010 11:03 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Low Vitamin D Not To Blame For Blacks' Higher Stroke Rate

In whites, low vitamin D is a risk factor for stroke. But results of a study in nearly 8,000 African Americans show that a deficit in vitamin D doesn't explain higher rates of stroke for the group. Read More...

Published Mon, Nov 15 2010 9:17 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Allergy Expert Says Peanut Bans Are An Overreaction To Food Allergies

Parents and patients with food allergies need to take the initiative with food allergies, says a top allergy doctor. The answer is not to ban potentially allergenic foods from public places. Read More...

Published Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:01 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Dengue Vaccine Hunt Heats Up With Big Human Test

Drug giant Sanofi-Aventis is moving ahead with a big clinical test of a vaccine that could protect people against the four main types of dengue fever. The results, if positive, could pave the way for regulatory approval in a few years. Read More...

Published Sat, Nov 13 2010 7:00 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Pawlenty Hits Health Law In Prelude To Possible Run For Presidency

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a likely GOP contender for the White House in 2012, filed a brief supporting a challenge to the overhaul in a Florida court. It could be a preview of his stump speech. Read More...

Published Fri, Nov 12 2010 12:46 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Protests Mount Over Safety And Privacy Of Airport Scanners

Worries about the risks from airport scanners to people have some critics calling for direct action. They're suggesting people opt for a pat-down instead of a scan, which could lead to long lines at the airport. Read More...

Published Fri, Nov 12 2010 12:22 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

November 2010 - NPR Health Blog

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