January 2012 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Home Births Grow More Popular In U.S.

Advocates of home births applaud the trend, but some doctors caution there are risks when deliveries come with complications. The federal data suggest the trend appears to be driven primarily by the choices of older, white women. Read More...

Published Thu, Jan 26 2012 9:36 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

What Vietnam Taught Us About Breaking Bad Habits

In the 1970s, a sizable number of U.S. servicemen in Vietnam self-identified as heroin addicts. But when they returned stateside, the number of these soldiers who continued their addiction was surprisingly low. Why? Turns out a massive disruption in their...

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

Scratching An Ankle Is Hard To Beat

Scratching an itchy ankle is more satisfying than relieving an itch on your back or arm. Even if you thought you knew that, scientists now have evidence to back up your hunch. Read More...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 12:25 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Gingrich Calls For Panel To Look At Rules For In Vitro Clinics

Gingrich has long been a strong backer of federal funding for scientific research. In 2001 his support extended to research on stem cells derived from human embryos left over from in vitro fertilization efforts. Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 30 2012 12:04 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Many In High-Risk Insurance Pools Face Lifetime Coverage Limits

Despite the federal overhaul of health care, people in the pools are left out because of a wrinkle in legal language. The high-risk pools aren't licensed as insurers in most states, so they're not subject to the federal law. Read More...

Published Tue, Jan 31 2012 11:26 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Should Doctors Be 'Parsimonious' About Health Care?

The American College of Physicians urges internists to take cost-effectiveness into consideration when making decisions about patient care, triggering a debate. Read More...

Published Tue, Jan 03 2012 9:33 AM by Shots - Health Blog

In US, Hospital Round Trips More Common For Heart Attack Patients

In the U.S., hospitalized heart attack patients go home sooner than in other countries. They are also more likely to return to the hospital within a month of being discharged. Read More...

Published Wed, Jan 04 2012 9:10 AM by Shots - Health Blog

A Changing Picture For Cancer Deaths In The U.S.

From the early 1990s until 2008, death rates from cancer in the U.S. fell by about 23 percent in men and 15 percent in women. That works out to more than 1 million fewer deaths from cancer over the period. Read More...

Published Thu, Jan 05 2012 10:54 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Middle-Aged Brains Are Already Past Their Prime

A study of more than 7,000 British civil servants finds that age-related declines in cognitive ability start as early as 45. The results suggest that efforts to head off mental problems late in life need to begin in middle age, the study's authors...

Published Fri, Jan 06 2012 8:46 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Why Millions Of Prescriptions Will No Longer Be Filled At Walgreens

Starting this year, many Americans may be surprised to find that their local Walgreens or Duane Reade is no longer in their insurance network. That's because of a dispute between two health care giants. If the back of your insurance card says Express...

Published Mon, Jan 09 2012 12:25 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Nicotine Patches Up Early Memory Loss In Study

Nicotine patches helped improve memory for patients on the road to dementia or Alzheimer's disease. But doctors didn't find the change meant they people did better on everyday problems. Read More...

Published Tue, Jan 10 2012 8:25 AM by Shots - Health Blog

January 2012 - NPR Health Blog

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