NPR Health Blog

Take Shots With You, Please

NPR's health blog, Shots, has a new look and feel to make it easier for you to navigate, particularly on smartphones and tablets. You'll notice bigger photos and graphics in stories, and a lot less clutter. On the landing page, you'll be able...

Published Wed, Oct 17 2012 10:45 AM by Shots - Health News

Thanks From Shots

Most people who answered a survey about Shots said the blog is satisfying and easy to navigate. A few respondents said the blog has slipped in its coverage or is superficial. Read More...

Published Tue, Jul 05 2011 12:47 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Vaccine Mistrust Spreading To The Developing World

Researchers say that anti-vaccination groups have new levels of global reach and influence, thanks in part to the Internet and social networking. The researchers are hoping to detect vaccine fears early on with a new alert system, in hopes of preventing...

Published Mon, Jul 25 2011 8:43 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Chickenpox Deaths Plummet With Help Of Vaccine

Death from chicken pox is exceedingly rare these days. But the one-dose vaccine doesn't provide lifelong protection from chicken pox, so public health experts now recommend two doses. Read More...

Published Mon, Jul 25 2011 2:21 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Medicare Drug Coverage Saves Money On Hospital Care

A study finds the Medicare drug benefit is trimming around $12 billion in yearly spending on medical care. The savings are not enough to offset the total costs of the program. Read More...

Published Wed, Jul 27 2011 6:38 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Overhaul Law To Boost Health Spending, Barely

The Affordable Care Act will boost the number of people with health insurance by about 30 million over the next decade, while health costs overall will rise by one-tenth of a percentage point more than they would have if the law hadn't passed. Read...

Published Thu, Jul 28 2011 6:46 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

From Kings To The Average Joe: Gout Makes A Comeback

Researchers have found that gout, a painful ailment of the joints, increased 44 percent between 1988 and 2008. They suspect it has a lot to do with the obesity epidemic and related health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol...

Published Thu, Jul 28 2011 2:50 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Sprained Ankle? Calling ER First Saves Time, Money

A study suggests that hospitals could save time and money if patients with ankle sprains and other minor injuries could talk to a health provider instead of coming to the emergency department during regular business hours. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 16 2011 6:44 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Bargain CT Scans For Smokers: More Harm Than Good?

Hospitals around the country have started offering deeply discounted CT scans for smokers. A recent study found such screenings could reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer in heavy, long-term smokers and ex-smokers. But the findings came with important...

Published Wed, Aug 17 2011 7:05 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Skin Cancer Drug Gets Quick Approval

The drug was approved faster than many other drugs under review, and advocates of personalized medicine say this bodes well for other gene-based drugs in development. Read More...

Published Thu, Aug 18 2011 9:59 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

HIV In The Middle East And North Africa: Hidden 'Behind A Veil'?

HIV isn't openly discussed in Middle Eastern societies. New data give a much clearer picture of its prevalence and how governments do and don't respond. We speak with one researcher who explains the challenges of studying a topic taboo in the...

Published Fri, Aug 19 2011 3:15 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Even Windows On First Floor Pose Risk Of Falls For Youngsters

Even though the rate of falls from windows has declined some, more than 5,000 kids a year end up in emergency rooms after tumbling out of windows. The youngest kids are at the most risk. Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 22 2011 10:56 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Eating More Nuts And Soy May Help Beat High Cholesterol

A Journal of the American Medical Association study published today found that people with high cholesterol who followed diets rich in soy, nuts, and plant sterols reduced their bad cholesterol levels significantly. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 23 2011 1:53 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Got High Blood Pressure? It Might Take 24 Hours To Know For Sure

Britain's health-quality institute says the good old blood pressure cuff is no longer good enough to accurately diagnose hypertension. The British now recommend that people with a high reading should also have an ambulatory test, wearing a blood-pressure...

Published Wed, Aug 24 2011 11:09 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

The 'Next Big Step': Preventing 1 Million Heart Attacks And Strokes

Federal officials say it's time to try harder on some proven approaches to reducing cardiovascular disease. Within five years such things as better treatment of high blood pressure could make a big difference. Read More...

Published Tue, Sep 13 2011 1:03 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

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