NPR Health Blog

Circumcision May Lower Risk For Prostate Cancer

Researchers found a 15 percent lower risk of prostate cancer among circumcised men than those who hadn't been circumcised. But the study doesn't prove that circumcision would work, though there're some reason to think it might. Read More....

Published Mon, Mar 12 2012 1:21 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Gain Together, Lose Together: The Weight Loss 'Halo' Effect

Researchers are finding that the friends and family of obese and overweight individuals who lose weight lose weight themselves, and sometimes a lot of it. Read More...

Published Sun, Mar 11 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

LSD Gets Another Look As Alcoholism Treatment

A rigorous analysis of data from studies conducted decades ago suggest that one dose of the hallucinogenic drug could help people stop drinking. It's the latest work to call for further research on therapeutic use of hallucinogens. Read More...

Published Fri, Mar 09 2012 1:48 PM by Shots - Health Blog

FDA: Skin-Lightening Creams Pose Mercury Threat

Some skin-lightening cosmetics contain dangerous amounts of mercury, the FDA warned consumers. Though illegal to sell in the U.S., the foreign-made products are popular in communities where fair skin is considered a mark of beauty. Read More...

Published Fri, Mar 09 2012 6:59 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Forget The Robots: Venture Capitalists Change Their Health Care Investments

As biotech investments and medical device development falters, hospitals are turning to other avenues to help cut costs: streamlining billing systems and investing in simpler medical products. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 08 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Women Who Drink Moderately Have Lower Stroke Risk

Women who drink just a bit have a lower risk of stroke than women who don't drink at all, according to a new study. That helps untangle confusion on whether drinking puts people at risk of stroke. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 08 2012 2:33 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Oregon Emphasizes Choices At The End Of Life

Oregon created a simple two-page form that has helped people exert control over their care at the end of life. A statewide database that contains the information is providing insight into what people prefer. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 08 2012 1:38 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Surgeon General Calls Smoking A 'Pediatric Epidemic'

The U.S. Surgeon General is sounding the alarm about kids and tobacco, saying a lot more has to be done to keep minors from lighting up. Most smokers in high school will smoke as adults, and half of them will die prematurely as a result. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 08 2012 12:35 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Detailed Genetic Tests Reveal Cancer's Complexity

Detailed tests in kidney cancer patients. help explain why some treatments may not be successful. And they underscore the challenge in developing personalized tests and drugs for effective cancer therapy. Read More...

Published Thu, Mar 08 2012 10:56 AM by Shots - Health Blog

1 In 3 Americans Is Having A Hard Time Paying Medical Bills

During the first six months of 2011, one in three people lived in a family that had trouble paying its medical bills within the previous year; was currently paying a medical bill over time; or currently had a medical bill the family was unable to pay...

Published Wed, Mar 07 2012 1:50 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Here's Hoping You Never Get A Hotel Bill Like This One

The same folks who have sponsored essay contests about the costs of medical care have a subversive video out that puts health care charges and billing in a pretty embarrassing light. A big bill from the Hotel Hospital. Read More...

Published Wed, Mar 07 2012 11:46 AM by Shots - Health Blog

For The Tavenners, Health Care Is All In The Family

Marilyn Tavenner is the acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Matt, assistant administrator at Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, Ky., is her son. Read More...

Published Wed, Mar 07 2012 9:37 AM by Shots - Health Blog

FDA Scientists Feel A Little Better About Where They Work

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration are feeling more optimistic about the future of their agency than they were back in 2006, according to a survey just out from the Union of Concerned Scientists. But they still report concerns about outside...

Published Wed, Mar 07 2012 8:05 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Deaths From Dangerous Gut Bacteria Hit Historic Highs

The CDC is urging hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and doctors to step up the fight against the spread of C. difficile. The bacterial infection can cause life-threatening diarrhea and other complications. Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 06 2012 3:10 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Health Centers At Schools Get A Funding Boost

More schools are moving beyond nurses to keep their students healthy. They're housing medical clinics at schools in campuses in underserved areas. And funding from the federal health care law is helping make it happen. Read More...

Published Tue, Mar 06 2012 12:27 PM by Shots - Health Blog

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