NPR Health Blog

Laser Back Surgery Clinics Reap Profits, Complaints

The booming business at for-profit outpatient laser surgery clinics comes at a high price for insurers and some patients. And the rate of serious complaints for treatments of back pain is higher than those for other outpatient procedures. Read More.....

Published Wed, May 04 2011 1:33 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Vaginal Ring Protects Monkeys From HIV-Like Infection

A vaginal ring that releases a drug against HIV shows promise in an animal study as a way to prevent infections. The results bolster hopes that an ongoing clinical trial of a similar ring in people will prove to be successful. Read More...

Published Wed, Sep 05 2012 1:13 PM by Shots - Health Blog

X-Ray Tests May Heighten Cancer Risk In Susceptible Women

Researchers concluded that exposure to diagnostic radiation before age 30 is associated with an increased *** cancer risk in women with a certain genetic mutation. They recommend that if a girl or young woman needs diagnostic evaluation via X-ray or CT...

Published Fri, Sep 07 2012 6:57 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Sleep Experts Answer Your Questions On Teens And Shuteye

Three sleep experts respond to questions submitted by listeners on chronic sleep deprivation, sleep meds, and more. Read More...

Published Thu, May 19 2011 6:01 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

When Bikes And Cars Collide, Who's More Likely To Be At Fault?

On the surface, cars seem more likely to collide with bikers than the other way around. But when Shots looked at data from the few states where it's available, cyclists seem almost as likely to cause accidents as motorists. Read More...

Published Fri, May 20 2011 7:07 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

FDA Warns Against Food Thickener For Premature Infants

SimplyThick may be causing life-threatening damage to the intestines of premature infants, the Food and Drug Administration said. The agency is aware of 15 cases, including two deaths, and is investigating a possible link to the gel's use in infant...

Published Mon, May 23 2011 6:55 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Why Some Workplace Clinics Charge Different Rates For Identical Services

Some employers have concluded that employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans that are linked to a health savings account can't be given the same price break on workplace clinic services that their coworkers in regular PPOs and HMOs receive...

Published Tue, May 24 2011 5:59 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Jessica Alba's Latest Role: Toxic Avenger

Actor Jessica Alba, a mom who's expecting her second child, is now the celebrity spokeswoman for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families — a consortium of advocacy groups that is pushing for tougher federal regulation of chemicals. Read More...

Published Wed, May 25 2011 8:06 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Nearly 1 In 5 Young Adults Have High Blood Pressure

Being overweight or obese is a well-known risk factor for hypertension. And the majority of the young adults in the study grew overweight or obese as they got older at a rapid pace. Read More...

Published Wed, May 25 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

As Genetic Sequencing Spreads, Excitement, Worries Grow

The cost of deciphering a person's genetic code has dropped faster than the price tag on flat-screen TVs. But some experts are concerned that access to genomic information could stoke fears and invade privacy. Read More...

Published Tue, Sep 18 2012 12:34 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Ebola's Unlikely Victims: Health Care Workers

The World Health Organization has confirmed 72 cases of the dreaded virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May; 23 of them are health care workers. Despite elaborate protective garb and other precautions, it's hard for doctors, nurses and...

Published Wed, Sep 19 2012 12:04 AM by Shots - Health Blog

New Experimental Drug Offers Autism Hope

The drug, called Arbaclofen, made people with Fragile X syndrome less likely to avoid social interactions, according to a study in Science Translational Medicine. Researchers suspect it might do the same for people with autism. Read More...

Published Thu, Sep 20 2012 12:33 AM by Shots - Health Blog

Who's Next In Line For A Kidney Transplant? The Answer Is Changing

The non-profit in charge of distributing organs wants to revamp the system for distributing kidneys for the first time in 25 years. But some transplant specialists and bioethicists fear the changes could end up discriminating against some patients. Read...

Published Thu, Sep 20 2012 1:31 PM by Shots - Health Blog

Your Health Podcast: A Nutritious Plate And Foreign Accent Syndrome

This week we talk about a new symbol for healthy meals that will replace the food pyramid and the World Health Organization's decision to list cellphones as a possible carcinogen. Read More...

Published Sat, Jun 04 2011 5:56 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Junk Food Near Schools May Be Trivial Factor For Kids' Weight

Researchers in Maine found no significant relationship between the proximity of unhealthful food stores to schools and high school students' weight. But a critic said the study was too small to answer the question definitively. Read More...

Published Mon, Jun 20 2011 2:58 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

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