NPR Health Blog

How Does The Polio Vaccine Reach A Remote Corner Of The World?

We're right on the verge of wiping out polio globally. But to do that, children in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan must be inoculated with the heat-sensitive vaccine — not once, but multiple times. Time to call in the donkeys. Read More...

Published Wed, Oct 24 2012 8:49 AM by Shots - Health News

Twitter Provides A Trove Of Health Trends

Social and computer scientists are figuring out how to mine Tweets for intelligence of all sorts. Now some resourceful researchers are figuring out ways to mine Twitter data to find health trends. Read More...

Published Wed, Jul 13 2011 1:33 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Got PMS? Marketers Want You To Reach For The Milk Carton

An edgy marketing campaign from California milk processors touts milk as a remedy for premenstrual symptoms. An independent researcher says there's merit to the claims, but low-fat and skim milk would be the best choices. Read More...

Published Thu, Jul 14 2011 3:26 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Rethinking Tinnitus: When The Ringing Won't Stop, Clear Your Mind

People living with tinnitus — a ringing in the ears — have traditionally been counseled to drown the noise out. New research is testing the effectiveness of meditation — or mindfulness training — to help sufferers learn to accept the noise. Read More...

Published Sun, Jul 17 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

HIV Treatment In Africa Brings Near-Normal Lifespan

Women on treatment outlive men, probably because men start treatment later, a study finds. But the success of HIV treatment in extending people's lives is far greater than many expected when antiviral drugs were first rolled out in Africa less than...

Published Mon, Jul 18 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Public Interest Group Slams Restaurants' Most Unhealthful Meals

Despite restaurant chains offering healthier menu options, they still push oversized and fattening food items to Americans. The Center for Science in the Public Interest gave awards to what it calls the worst offenders. Read More...

Published Tue, Jul 19 2011 1:53 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

First Lady: Let's Move Fruits And Veggies To 'Food Deserts'

The First Lady announced today that several major grocery retailers will expand their reach into food deserts where supermarkets are scarce. It's one part of her efforts to tackle childhood obesity. Read More...

Published Wed, Jul 20 2011 12:43 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Unwed Women Living With Partners Risk More Unplanned Pregnancies

Unintended pregnancies among wealthier women and teens dropped slightly between 2001 and 2006. But unintended pregnancies were up for African-Americans and low-income women, leading researchers to conclude the overall rate has remained flat. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 24 2011 2:38 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Report: Vaccines Are Safe, Hazards Few And Far Between

Autism isn't linked to childhood vaccines, according to a new review from the Institute of Medicine, but vaccines aren't free of risks. The committee found that most serious health problems were linked to two live vaccines, the ones for measles...

Published Thu, Aug 25 2011 10:45 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Experimental Drug Reverses Effects Of Toxic Wild Mushrooms

Four wild mushroom foragers who mistakenly ate toxic fungi they found near Washington, D.C., were treated with an experimental medicine that's been used in Europe for years. Read More...

Published Fri, Sep 30 2011 7:10 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Shortages Lead Doctors To Ration Critical Drugs

Drug shortages may be the new normal in U.S. medical care, experts say. Most drug occur because something goes wrong in the manufacturing process that halts production. Read More...

Published Sun, Oct 02 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

To Reach The Underserved, Hospitals Look To Local Churches

Hospitals seeking to connect with immigrants wary of the heath care system are turning to a trusted institution for help. By partnering with churches, the hospitals are finding ways to get preventive care and screening to people who otherwise might forgo...

Published Tue, Oct 04 2011 6:48 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

My Smartphone Is A Microscope. What Can Yours Do?

Physicists have found a way to turn a smartphone camera lens into a microscope and a spectrometer. They say both could be handy for doctors in remote areas with few laboratories who need to look at blood samples. Read More...

Published Wed, Oct 05 2011 8:26 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

BPA To Be Banned In Calif. Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups

The California law will prohibit the sale of baby bottles and food intended for kids 3 and younger if they contain anything but the smallest traces of bisphenol A. The chemical has come under fire as potentially risky to health. Read More...

Published Thu, Oct 06 2011 9:14 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Influential Panel Giving Thumbs Down To Routine Prostate Cancer Test

Routine testing of men's blood to detect prostate cancer is unwarranted, and causes more harm than good, according to findings of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The panel of experts sets the agenda for doctors and, increasingly, insurance...

Published Fri, Oct 07 2011 9:23 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

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