December 2010 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Drug Lobby's Tax Filings Reveal Big Spending In Health Debate

The drug industry's main trade group spent at least $101.2 million in 2009 on advocacy efforts during the contentious health care overhaul debate. A lot of the money went to lobbying and TV ads in favor of the law, but some went to its foes. Read...

Published Wed, Dec 01 2010 12:44 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

During Swine Flu Crisis, Pregnant Women Overcame Fears About Vaccine

Data just out from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that half of pregnant women got flu shots last flu season, despite worries about how the swine flu immunization might affect them and their babies. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 02 2010 9:23 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

WeightWatchers Faults Processed Foods While Profiting From Them

WeightWatchers is emphasizing natural, unprocessed foods as part of its new PointsPlus program, but the company won't say how its line of packaged, processed foods fits into the plan. Read More...

Published Fri, Dec 03 2010 11:40 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Africa's Meningitis Belt Gets First Vaccine Designed For Poor Nations

A cheap new vaccine against bacterial meningitis is the first ever designed for use in Africa. Before now, vaccines and most other medicines have been developed for wealthy markets and retrofitted, sometimes, for poorer nations. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 06 2010 12:08 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

If Echinacea Does Anything For Colds, It Isn't Much

Echinacea may shave a half a day from a typical weeklong cold, researchers found. But the evidence isn't very strong. Even in the best case, they conclude, echinacea's effects on colds are probably of little benefit. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 21 2010 8:26 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Fake Pills Can Work, Even If Patients Know It

A recent study shows that 59 percent of patients who knowingly took a placebo felt better. That's almost twice the improvement reported by people in the control group who took no treatment, researchers at Beth Israel say. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 23 2010 7:26 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Don't Stay Up Waiting For A Pill To Fight Jet Lag

Regulators just gave a second thumbs down to drugmaker Cephalon's application to sell Nuvigil as a remedy for jet lag. The company said it won't try again to win them over. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 27 2010 8:50 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Five Cookbooks To Avoid For A Healthier 2011

Put down the fruitcake and stay away from these high fat, high calorie cookbooks, says the Physicians for Responsible Nutrition. Plus, we've got tips for eating better that don't even require a cookbook. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 23 2010 12:41 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Salmonella Pops Up In Sprouts, Cilantro And Parsley

Salmonella has turned up again in the nation's food supply. This time people have fallen ill after eating contaminated alfalfa sprouts. Tests have also found salmonella in parsley and cilantro sold by a Texas company. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 29 2010 9:06 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

A Cookbook Is The Latest Weapon In Fight Against Lionfish Invasion

A good way to beat back lionfish, voracious predators that are causing trouble in American waters, is to eat them. Now there's a cookbook to help. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 30 2010 9:08 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Boys To Men: Unequal Treatment On HPV Vaccine

A vaccine against cervical cancer can also prevent genital warts in males. But that doesn't mean insurers are obligated to pay for boys and men to get vaccinated. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 07 2010 11:43 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

WHO Gets Behind Rapid Tuberculosis Test

A fast, accurate test for tuberculosis could improve treatment of the disease, particularly the type that is resistant to conventional drug treatment. But the equipment and supplies aren't cheap. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 08 2010 2:25 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Study Questions Cranberry Juice's Power Against Infections

A study in female college students found a placebo was as effective as cranberry juice for preventing repeat urinary tract infections. But an outside scientist says the results won't topple the research that says cranberry juice works well. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 09 2010 2:32 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Toward A New Strategy For Fighting Cholera In Haiti

Public health advocates with a long history in Haiti say a vaccine should be used there to slow the spread of cholera. They also argue for more aggressive use of antibiotics to treat those ill with the disease. Read More...

Published Fri, Dec 10 2010 2:00 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Federal Judge Rules Against Coverage Mandate In Health Overhaul

In finding part of the health law unconstitutional, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson ruled the insurance mandate represents "an unchecked expansion of congressional power" that would "invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers...

Published Mon, Dec 13 2010 10:24 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

December 2010 - NPR Health Blog

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