October 2011 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Shortages Lead Doctors To Ration Critical Drugs

Drug shortages may be the new normal in U.S. medical care, experts say. Most drug occur because something goes wrong in the manufacturing process that halts production. Read More...

Published Sun, Oct 02 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

To Reach The Underserved, Hospitals Look To Local Churches

Hospitals seeking to connect with immigrants wary of the heath care system are turning to a trusted institution for help. By partnering with churches, the hospitals are finding ways to get preventive care and screening to people who otherwise might forgo...

Published Tue, Oct 04 2011 6:48 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

My Smartphone Is A Microscope. What Can Yours Do?

Physicists have found a way to turn a smartphone camera lens into a microscope and a spectrometer. They say both could be handy for doctors in remote areas with few laboratories who need to look at blood samples. Read More...

Published Wed, Oct 05 2011 8:26 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

BPA To Be Banned In Calif. Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups

The California law will prohibit the sale of baby bottles and food intended for kids 3 and younger if they contain anything but the smallest traces of bisphenol A. The chemical has come under fire as potentially risky to health. Read More...

Published Thu, Oct 06 2011 9:14 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Influential Panel Giving Thumbs Down To Routine Prostate Cancer Test

Routine testing of men's blood to detect prostate cancer is unwarranted, and causes more harm than good, according to findings of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The panel of experts sets the agenda for doctors and, increasingly, insurance...

Published Fri, Oct 07 2011 9:23 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Looking For Lung Cancer With A Yearly X-Ray Doesn't Reduce Deaths

Yearly chest X-rays to look for lung cancer aren't worth doing because they don't save lives, according to a federally funded study. More than 150,000 people took part in the research. Read More...

Published Wed, Oct 26 2011 12:34 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Hormones And Metabolism Conspire Against Dieters

Willpower will only take you so far, in case you haven't run that experiment yourself. Turns out our bodies have a fuel gauge, not entirely unlike the gas gauge in our cars, that tell us when it's time to tank up on food. Dieting can make the...

Published Thu, Oct 27 2011 2:03 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Lung Cancer Leads List of Malignancies Linked With Bankruptcy

Lung cancer was associated with the highest risk of personal bankruptcy five years after diagnosis, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found. Smokers are more likely to be on a lower rung of the socioeconomic ladder. Read More...

Published Tue, Oct 11 2011 6:57 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

When It Comes To Baby's Crib, Experts Say Go Bare Bones

Expanded guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that parents remove blankets, bumpers, pillows, and toys from a baby's crib to protect them against suffocation and other threats. Read More...

Published Tue, Oct 18 2011 1:35 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Heart Failure Lands Fewer Seniors In Hospital

A decline in the admission of Medicare patients to hospitals for treatment of heart failure saves at least $4.1 billion a year, a new study finds. Better treatment of coronary artery disease and high blood pressure may help explain the decline. Read More...

Published Wed, Oct 19 2011 2:00 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Advice For The Golden Years: 'Don't Ever Retire Mentally'

Tell Me More 's end-of-life series continues with Washington-area 80-somethings talking about the realities of retirement with Michel Martin. Read More...

Published Thu, Oct 20 2011 10:09 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Pill Or Candy? Can You Guess Which Of These Is Medicine?

If you didn't get the right answer, don't feel bad. A precocious Ohio girl who asked teachers and kindergartners to look at 20 matched pairs of medicines and candies found they were wrong around 30 percent of the time. Read More...

Published Fri, Oct 21 2011 2:41 PM by Shots - Health Blog

BPA And Behavior: More Questions Than Answers

Higher levels of BPA in urine taken from mothers during pregnancy were associated with slightly "worse behavior" among their 3-year-olds, especially in girls, researchers found. But BPA exposure after birth didn't show the same pattern....

Published Mon, Oct 24 2011 11:52 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Flu Shots: Far From Perfect, Still Advised

The flu vaccine has proven itself for most people, but researchers say it needs an overhaul to further reduce infection and death rates. Many doctors would like to see a universal vaccine that protects against all strains of flu. Read More...

Published Tue, Oct 25 2011 3:32 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Why Gingrich Opposes Recommendation Against Routine PSA Tests

Newt Gingrich invoked Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, former head of the National Cancer Institute, in criticizing proposed changes in prostate cancer screening. A close watcher of von Eschenbach at NCI questioned whether he is the right person to lean on...

Published Wed, Oct 12 2011 1:44 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

October 2011 - NPR Health Blog

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