January 2012 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Binge Drinking: Risky And Widespread

About 1 in 6 Americans, or 38 million people, went on at least one drinking binge last year, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More...

Published Tue, Jan 10 2012 10:56 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Stories About High Health Care Costs Win Prizes

A nonprofit group that's trying to get doctors and other health professionals to be more thoughtful about health costs just named winners in an essay contest. Two essays by patients suggest haggling over prices and questioning the necessity of some...

Published Thu, Jan 19 2012 9:05 AM by Shots - Health Blog

How Tears Go 'Pac-Man' To Beat Bacteria

Each tear you shed contains an army of enzymatic Pac-Men, ready to chase down and gobble up germs before they infect the sensitive tissues around your eye. Now scientists have found just one molecule of the germ-fighting enzyme is a potent defender. Read...

Published Fri, Jan 20 2012 10:27 AM by Shots - Health Blog

A Permanent Home That Allows Drinking Helps Homeless Drink Less

Homeless people may stand a better chance of improving their health when offered a permanent place to live without a requirement for sobriety, the results from a Seattle center suggest. Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 23 2012 8:08 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Your Brain On Psilocybin Might Be Less Depressed

Magic mushrooms remain popular at music festivals. But scientists say their mind-altering effects might help people with depression. Happy memories are stronger in people tripping on psilocybin, a new study finds, while brain areas overactive in depression...

Published Tue, Jan 24 2012 11:37 AM by Shots - Health Blog

With Age, Men May Lose Thinking Ability Faster Than Women

Men are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment earlier than women, perhaps because of physical health issues. That's the word from a study of older people in Minnesota. But by their mid-80s, both men and women suffer the same level of loss of thinking...

Published Wed, Jan 25 2012 2:13 PM by Shots - Health Blog

How Health Care Dropped Out Of The Presidential Conversation

The public remains deeply divided over the law overhauling the health system. And a new poll finds a majority of Americans believe the law's insurance mandate will be found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Read More...

Published Thu, Jan 26 2012 12:39 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Dengue Fever Cases Surge Worldwide

Dengue fever cases are soaring worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. They're also hitting closer to home. Two locally acquired cases were reported in Miami last year, and public health experts say we should expect more. Read More...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 10:49 AM by Shots - Health Blog

A Bid To Replace Neglect For Tropical Diseases With Attention

The new initiative marks the first time the world's 13 biggest pharmaceutical competitors have agreed to collaborate on a common goal and share their expertise on potential drugs, one of the project's leaders says. Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 30 2012 9:43 AM by Shots - Health Blog

More Than A Million Condoms Recalled In South Africa

The affected condoms — a government brand called Choice — were distributed early this month as part of the festivities marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the African National Congress. Read More...

Published Tue, Jan 31 2012 8:36 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Gingrich, Romney Go At It Over Abortion

As the race heads to socially conservative South Carolina, the Republican presidential candidates are accusing each other of being less than pure on the issue. Read More...

Published Wed, Jan 11 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Biggest Bucks In Health Care Are Spent On A Very Few

Just 1 percent of the population accounted for 21.8 percent of all U.S. health spending in 2009. And just 5 percent accounted for half the total spending. Read More...

Published Thu, Jan 12 2012 1:11 PM by Shots - Health Blog

The Sleep Apnea Business Is Booming, And Insurers Aren't Happy

Sleep apnea is a condition that can raise the risk of several serious illnesses, including heart disease. Testing for the condition is a lucrative business, and sleep labs have sprung up across the country. But as spending skyrockets, insurers are rethinking...

Published Sun, Jan 15 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Listen Up, Walkers: Watch Out For Traffic When Wearing Headphones

A study of accidents involving pedestrians wearing headphones suggests a real risk from the audio distraction. Fumbling with or listening to music players can divert attention from dangers. The audio can also drown out sounds of trouble. Read More...

Published Tue, Jan 17 2012 12:10 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Making The Best Of A Hospital Stay By Quitting Smoking

Most hospitals make little effort to screen patients for tobacco use or to help smokers kick the habit permanently. That's a missed opportunity. Starting this month, though, hospitals can choose to adopt tobacco-cessation measures to help them comply...

Published Tue, Jan 03 2012 6:55 AM by Shots - Health Blog

January 2012 - NPR Health Blog

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