October 2011 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Big-Name Drugs Are Falling Off The 'Patent Cliff'

Dozens of popular high-end pharmaceuticals — from Lipitor to Nexium to Plavix — are going off-patent in the coming months and years. That will lead to a big drop in drug costs. But analysts say that could be offset by a price increase in other areas....

Published Mon, Oct 24 2011 2:22 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Look Around: 1 In 10 Americans Takes Antidepressants

Antidepressant use has surged almost 400 percent since the early 1990s. Women and adolescent girls are 2 1/2 times more likely than men and adolescent boys to be taking one of the pills. Read More...

Published Thu, Oct 20 2011 6:47 AM 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

Kids As Young As 4 Can Be Diagnosed, Treated For ADHD

The most controversial part of the new advice is its endorsement of medication, such as Ritalin and Vyvanse, to treat even 4- and 5-year-olds with moderate-to-severe problems when behavioral therapy falls short. Read More...

Published Mon, Oct 17 2011 6:32 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Vitamin E Pills May Raise, Not Lower, Prostate Cancer Risk

The largest study yet to test whether daily vitamin E supplements could reduce the risk of prostate cancer finds they may have the opposite effect, raising the chances of illness by 17 percent. Read More...

Published Tue, Oct 11 2011 1:35 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Despite His Public Prominence, Jobs Waged Health Battle Privately

Even now, there is more we don't know about Steve Jobs' health struggle than we know. From a rare type of cancer to a liver transplant performed under great secrecy, details about the Apple CEO's illnesses and treatments remained hidden. Read...

Published Thu, Oct 06 2011 1:33 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Global Tuberculosis Cases Drop For First Time

The World Health Organization reports that cases of the disease are declining thanks to several, worldwide efforts. The world isn't out of the clear yet, though. Read More...

Published Tue, Oct 11 2011 11:33 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Men With Disabilities Face Increased Risk Of Sexual Violence

Study authors say previous research on sexual violence prevalence among men with disabilities has been limited. But women with disabilities still faced the highest rates of sexual violence. Read More...

Published Thu, Oct 13 2011 1:20 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

How Hairdressers Can Help Fight Skin Cancer

Over a lifetime, our heads and necks receive a ton of exposure to the sun's UV rays. But most medical checkups don't include exhaustive exams of our hair and head. So public health researchers want to recruit hair stylists to help. It turns out...

Published Tue, Oct 18 2011 8:05 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Pharmacies Inject Convenience Into Flu Shot Market

The majority of Americans still get their flu shot at the doctor's office, but an increasing number head to the pharmacy. Some pharmacies even offer the shots 24 hours a day. Read More...

Published Sun, Oct 09 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

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 Keep Required Insurance Affordable, Start With Price

Starting in 2014, every health plan in the new marketplaces known as exchangeswill have to provide a minimum package of benefits. A report just out from the Institute of Medicine has given federal officials a framework for coming up with that package...

Published Fri, Oct 07 2011 5:51 AM 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

Disease Detective Hot On The Trails Of Anthrax And Cholera

A scientist has used new genetic-sequencing technologies to identify the strain of anthrax in the 2001 attacks, the cause of anthrax contamination in European heroin, and the source of a cholera outbreak in Haiti. Read More...

Published Mon, Oct 17 2011 1:26 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Key Panel Recommends Routine HPV Vaccination For Boys

Experts voted to recommend to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that all 11- and 12-year-old boys be vaccinated with Gardasil, Merck's vaccine against human papillomavirus. Vaccinations could start as early as age 9. Read More...

Published Tue, Oct 25 2011 10:19 AM by Shots - Health Blog

October 2011 - NPR Health Blog

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