NPR Health Blog

Parents Cheat On Booster Seats, Despite Safety Risks

Parents don't always use booster seats for children, even though they're required in 47 states. Only half insisted their child use a booster when riding in the family car with boosterless friends. Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 30 2012 2:24 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

A Bid To Replace Neglect For Tropical Diseases With Attention

The new initiative marks the first time the world's 13 biggest pharmaceutical competitors have agreed to collaborate on a common goal and share their expertise on potential drugs, one of the project's leaders says. Read More...

Published Mon, Jan 30 2012 9:43 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Could A Club Drug Offer 'Almost Immediate' Relief From Depression?

Currently, there's no quick fix for severe depression. Antidepressants usually take weeks to work, if they work at all. But patients who received experimental doses of ketamine — long used as an anesthetic, and an illegal club drug — report an astounding...

Published Sun, Jan 29 2012 9:01 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Romney's Unlikely And Persuasive Defense Of The 'Individual Mandate'

Mitt Romney offered a vigorous defense Thursday night of Massachusetts' decision to mandate that nearly every resident either have health insurance or pay a tax penalty. In fact, some say it was the best defense of the individual mandate made by any...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 2:22 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

Heavy Doctors Avoid Heavy Discussions About Weight

Physicians who pack on the pounds discuss weight loss less frequently with obese patients than doctors who have normal weights, a study finds. Overweight and obese physicians expressed greater confidence in prescribing weight-loss drugs than other doctors...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 11:34 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Dengue Fever Cases Surge Worldwide

Dengue fever cases are soaring worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. They're also hitting closer to home. Two locally acquired cases were reported in Miami last year, and public health experts say we should expect more. Read More...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 10:49 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Study: 1 in 14 People Has Oral HPV Infection

Men were much more likely to have an oral HPV infection than women. And people who have had more sex partners and more frequent sex were more likely to be positive for HPV. Read More...

Published Fri, Jan 27 2012 9:50 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Blood Doctors Call Foul On NCAA's Screening For Sickle Cell

The leading group of doctors specializing in blood disorders says it opposes the NCAA's screening program for sickle cell trait in college athletes. The doctors say it overlooks other, more common factors in exercise-related deaths and is not a comprehensive...

Published Thu, Jan 26 2012 3:07 PM by Shots - Health Blog

How Health Care Dropped Out Of The Presidential Conversation

The public remains deeply divided over the law overhauling the health system. And a new poll finds a majority of Americans believe the law's insurance mandate will be found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Read More...

Published Thu, Jan 26 2012 12:39 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Working Long Hours Can Be Depressing, Truly

People who work long hours are more likely to become depressed, even if they're working in the executive suite. That's according to a study of British civil servants. Other studies have found that people with higher incomes are less vulnerable...

Published Thu, Jan 26 2012 11:09 AM by Shots - Health Blog

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

Start Early To Curb Heart Risks For A Lifetime

Middle-aged men with two common risk factors have a 50-50 chance of having a serious heart attack or stroke as they grow older, a new study finds. The findings suggest that taming risks early in life can make big difference later on. Read More...

Published Wed, Jan 25 2012 2:35 PM by Shots - Health Blog

With Age, Men May Lose Thinking Ability Faster Than Women

Men are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment earlier than women, perhaps because of physical health issues. That's the word from a study of older people in Minnesota. But by their mid-80s, both men and women suffer the same level of loss of thinking...

Published Wed, Jan 25 2012 2:13 PM by Shots - Health Blog

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