December 2010 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

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

Seniors May Need A Push To Use Free Wellness Exam

The new health law lets seniors get free wellness check ups, starting in 2011. But there are a lot of questions about whether they'll take advantage of them, or what role doctors will play in promoting them. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 23 2010 11:10 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

Scientific American: U.S. Pig Farms May Be 'Flu Factories'

Writer Helen Branswell says in an article in Scientific American that American pig farms are virtual "flu factories" because monitoring of animal health is so weak. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 23 2010 5:37 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Abbott Recalls Millions of Glucose Testing Strips Used By Diabetics

Up to 359 million test strips designed to test the blood glucose levels of diabetics are being recalled due to a manufacturing defect that makes blood sugar levels look lower than they really are. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 22 2010 11:34 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

President To Sign Food Safety Bill Into Law. Now What?

President Obama will sign the food safety bill into law as early as today. But many other challenges lie ahead, such as what consumers will see, where the $1.4 billion cost will come from, and how the regulations are written. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 22 2010 9:38 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Some Scientists Skeptical Of Report On Chromium In Drinking Water

The Environmental Working Group has sounded the alarm on chromium contamination of drinking water of 31 American cities with a new report. But some experts have expressed doubt about the study and its implications for consumers. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 22 2010 5:38 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Study Fuels Debate Over Widespread HIV Testing, And Its Cost

Researchers say testing everyone in the country at least once a year could reduce HIV infections, but it would be costly. Even so, advocates say it would be money well spent. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 21 2010 1:41 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Feds Propose To Scrutinize Health Insurers' Big Rate Hikes

Federal officials are pushing ahead with new rules that would let them weigh in on whether a health insurance company’s proposed premium increases are reasonable. Read More...

Published Tue, Dec 21 2010 11:55 AM 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

Researchers Cast Doubt On Virus As Culprit In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Some DNA from mice may have contaminated samples of human blood and prostate tissue. Traces of the genetic code of the suspected virus, called XMRV, may have been in the mouse DNA. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 20 2010 2:26 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Academic Docs Kept Speaking On Big Pharma's Dime, Despite Bans

Several top medical schools and academic medical centers have not effectively enforced restrictions on pharmaceutical companies' payments to physicians, an investigation by Pro Publica finds. A check of data released by drugmakers reveals problems...

Published Mon, Dec 20 2010 11:25 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Food Safety Bill Nears The Finish Line. Really!

The bipartisan bill would boost the Food and Drug Administration's powers to recall tainted food and increase inspections. But the House will have to pass the measure a third time before it can become law. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 20 2010 9:11 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

U.S. Has Plenty Of Doctors To Treat Kids, But Many Aren't Where They're Needed

The good news is that, in theory, there are lots of U.S. doctors for kids. But the reality is that some parts of the country, such as wealthy suburbs and cities, are chockablock with them while others, mainly rural areas, are bereft. Read More...

Published Mon, Dec 20 2010 7:22 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Health Experts: Cholera Vaccination In Haiti Not Possible Until Spring

There's only enough cholera vaccine for 50,000 people, so the majority of Haiti's 9 million people will have to wait until more becomes available. Read More...

Published Fri, Dec 17 2010 4:37 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

December 2010 - NPR Health Blog

Syndication

Recent Posts

Tags

Archives