May 2012 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Recalculating The Health Bill In McAllen, Texas

The government has identified hundreds of hospitals where Medicare patients are incurring especially high or low bills. Hospitals around McAllen, it turns out, aren't as terrible as they were made out to be, according to Medicare's calculations...

Published Thu, May 10 2012 8:42 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Feds Join Fight Against Whooping Cough In Washington

About 1 in 5 infants who get whooping cough will get pneumonia, and in some cases die. In Washington state, where confirmed cases are 10 times as high as they were last year, officials hope federal investigators will help them trace the source of the...

Published Wed, May 09 2012 11:52 PM by Shots - Health Blog

A Critic's Advice For Doctors In Search Of Industry Work

British guidelines for collaboration between the drug industry and doctors suggests that conflicts are problems of the past. But a frequent critic refutes that notion and calls on recent examples to raise a warning. Read More...

Published Wed, May 09 2012 3:11 PM by Shots - Health Blog

FDA Leans On Device Makers To Cut X-Ray Doses For Kids

The Food and Drug Administration is proposing that manufacturers of X-ray machines and CT scanners do more to protect children from radiation exposure. If companies don't take steps to limit X-ray doses, the agency may require a label on their new...

Published Wed, May 09 2012 9:38 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Shopping Bags Can Also Carry Stomach Flu Virus

Norovirus particles can fly through the air, land on things like plastic bags and survive there for weeks, according to an investigation of a stomach flu outbreak in Oregon. The researchers say this proves you don't have to have direct contact with...

Published Wed, May 09 2012 6:54 AM by Shots - Health Blog

These Health Law Bets Are No Figure Of Speech

Will the administration's health law survive the Supreme Court? A majority of bettors think not. Over at Intrade, a "prediction market" for current events, the betting gave chances of about 58 percent that the court will disallow the mandate...

Published Tue, May 08 2012 1:00 PM by Shots - Health Blog

When Religious Rules And Women's Health Collide

A survey of more than 1,000 ob-gyns who work in religious hospitals finds that more than one-third report they've had a conflict regarding religious-based policy for patient care. At Catholic hospitals, the figure was 52 percent. Read More...

Published Tue, May 08 2012 10:40 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Why Your Drug Copay Could Change

Insurers and employers are looking to stem the rising costs of expensive specialty drugs. One approach is to vary the copayment depending on the health value they calculate the drugs provide. Read More...

Published Tue, May 08 2012 6:46 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Moms Often Overlook Toddlers' Weight Problems

More than two-thirds of the mothers participating in a recent study were inaccurate in their assessments. And the biggest problem was moms who thought their overweight toddlers were just fine. Read More...

Published Mon, May 07 2012 3:09 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Even A Small Slowdown In Obesity's Rise Would Save Big Money

Trimming the rise in obesity in the U.S. by just 1 percent over the next two decades would reduce health care costs by by $85 billion. The fight isn't likely to be cheap. But new researchers shows that even a small dent in obesity rates could pay...

Published Mon, May 07 2012 8:49 AM by Shots - Health Blog

'Wired To Run': Runner's High May Have Been Evolutionary Advantage

Endurance athletes sometimes say they're "addicted" to exercise, and research suggests that may not be an overstatement. "Our brains have been sort of rewired from an evolutionary sense to encourage these running and high aerobic activity...

Published Sun, May 06 2012 11:38 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Is It Possible To Walk And Work At The Same Time?

When it comes to walking, the easy part is understanding the benefits: regular, brisk walks can strengthen our bones, help control blood sugar, help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and the list goes on. But the hard part? Time — finding the time...

Published Sun, May 06 2012 11:37 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Arrests Made In $75 Million Prescription Drug Heist

Federal authorities brought charges yesterday against 22 people they say were part of an organized crime ring that stole $100 million of prescription drugs and other goods. Such drug thefts still pose threats to consumers and the pharmaceutical industry...

Published Fri, May 04 2012 10:37 AM by Shots - Health Blog

School Bake Sales Draw Fire In Obesity Battle

The bake sale, a staple of school fundraising for generations, is getting squeezed. The epidemic of childhood obesity is leading some districts to restrict the kinds of foods sold or to ban the sales altogether, Bloomberg Businessweek's Stephanie...

Published Fri, May 04 2012 7:01 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Why Do Bike-Share Riders Skip Helmets?

Researchers found that only 20 percent of riders using shared bicycles wear helmets, despite the risk of injury. We took to the streets of Washington, D.C., to ask bicyclists, with and without helmets, about their choices. Read More...

Published Thu, May 03 2012 1:57 PM by Shots - Health Blog

May 2012 - NPR Health Blog

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