NPR Health Blog

Latest 'Superbug' Got You Down? Worry, But Don't Freak Out

Bacteria in South Asia have picked up a powerful ability to thwart most common antibiotics. Now scientists fret that the bugs, which have spread around the world, present a growing health threat. Read More...

Published Thu, Aug 12 2010 6:03 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Salmonella And Norovirus Top Rogues Gallery Of Food Hazards

When it comes to illnesses caused by contaminated food, salmonella and the virus that causes the stomach flu are the most frequent culprits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Poultry, beef and leafy vegetables were riskiest. Read...

Published Fri, Aug 13 2010 6:28 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Supreme Court To Decide Constitutionality Of Health Law

The legal showdown will decide once and for all if the administration's sweeping law to extend insurance coverage to millions of Americans will stand. The court has scheduled more than five hours of oral arguments for the case. Read More...

Published Mon, Nov 14 2011 7:57 AM by Shots - Health Blog

The Pill: Not Just For Pregnancy Prevention

Among the reasons for using oral contraception other than the most obvious one are reducing cramps associated with periods, regulating periods, which for some women can prevent menstrual-related migraine headaches. Read More...

Published Tue, Nov 15 2011 12:55 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Emergency Room Closures Hit Minorities, Poor Hardest

When a California hospital closes its emergency room, many residents may feel the effect. And according to a new report, hospitals whose patients tend to be black or on Medicaid are more likely to shut down their ERs than others. Read More...

Published Wed, Nov 16 2011 2:00 PM by Shots - Health Blog

GAVI To Make HPV Vaccine Available In Developing Countries

About 88 percent of cervical cancer deaths occur in developing countries. The deaths can be prevented by an HPV vaccine, which will be available to some women for the first time in 2012. Read More...

Published Thu, Nov 17 2011 2:56 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Health Law A Boon To Coverage Of Young Adults

As many as 2.5 million young adults gained health coverage between Sept. 30, 2010, when a key provision of the federal health overhaul took effect, and June 2011, says a study from the National Center for Health Statistics. Read More...

Published Wed, Dec 14 2011 10:41 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Biomedical Research Using Chimps Should Be Curtailed

An expert panel says the National Institutes of Health should only allow experiments on chimps if a new set of strict criteria are met, and recommends setting up an independent oversight committee that includes members of the public. Read More...

Published Thu, Dec 15 2011 8:05 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Medicare's Badlands Of Preventive Care: Chicago, McAllen And The Bronx

Once again, an analysis of Medicare data shows wide variations in the kinds of care patients receive. The lowest rate of mammograms is in Chicago. Highest rate of leg amputations: McAllen, Texas. Read More...

Published Thu, Sep 09 2010 11:59 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Want More Health? Check Out CommonHealth

If you're looking for more smart stuff on health, check out the WBUR blog CommonHealth, part of NPR's new Argo Network. Read More...

Published Fri, Sep 10 2010 2:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

3 Tips For Picking A Slightly Better Doctor

What should you look for in doctor? A woman who graduated from a U.S. medical school and passed the boards for her specialty. But the quality advantage is a small one, and isn't reason enough to switch doctors. Read More...

Published Mon, Sep 13 2010 1:25 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Why Do Doctors Take Drugmakers' Gifts?

A clever study that surveyed hundreds of young pediatricians and family practice doctors found, basically, they think they're worth it. Reminding them of their professional sacrifices made them more likely to say industry-sponsored gifts are OK. Read...

Published Wed, Sep 15 2010 6:35 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

Number Of Americans With Health Insurance Fell In 2009

The number of people in the United States with health insurance decreased for the first time since 1987. Read More...

Published Thu, Sep 16 2010 9:28 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health News Blog

An Early Exit For Early Retiree Insurance Program

A federal fund that has given employers a financial incentive to keep providing health insurance coverage for early retirees is winding down at year's end. Did it work? Read More...

Published Fri, Dec 16 2011 8:25 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Generic Lipitor Now At Stores Near You

During the first full week that generic Lipitor was available, the brand-name version accounted for less than half of the prescriptions for the cholesterol drug. Generics claimed 59 percent of the market. Savings on the popular drug are just getting rolling...

Published Mon, Dec 19 2011 12:05 PM by Shots - Health Blog

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