Health Blog

A.M. Vitals: Shrinking School Budgets Hit Nurse’s Office

Mark Long — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:05:43 +0000

Also: Researchers say they have identified a gene that's important for producing sperm, a potential target for contraceptive pills; and a study suggests metabolic factors may be more important than obesity in predicting heart-disease risk.

A.M. Vitals: FCC Vote Could Boost Use of Wireless Medical Devices

Mark Long — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:11:07 +0000

Also: An FDA panel votes against expanded use of a blood-thinning drug; a study finds calcium supplements increase the risk of heart attack; and an international group launches an emergency polio-vaccination plan.

Lessons From One Genetic Disorder Raise Hopes for Treating Another, Rarer One

Jonathan D. Rockoff — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:46:06 +0000

Research into the rare eye condition Stargardt disease is raising hopes that sufferers could gain an effective treatment, like patients with another rare and poorly treated disorder resulting from a defective gene: cystic fibrosis.

A.M. Vitals: Anticipating the Health Law Ruling

Stefanie Ilgenfritz — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:37:45 +0000

Here's what's making health news this morning: GOP Mixed on Health Moves (WSJ): Congressional Republicans are divided over what to do if the Supreme Court strikes down all or part of the health-care overhaul next month. Stryker CEO Sought Nod for Romance� (WSJ): The tale of how the CEO of medical-device maker Stryker lost his job underscores how, in the rough and tumble world of boardroom politics, workplace romances can create vulnerabilities that prove hard to manage.

Benefits of Hormone-Replacement Therapy Outweigh Risks, Reviews of Studies Show

Melinda Beck — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:49:31 +0000

The benefits of hormone-replacement therapy outweigh the risks for women who start it near menopause, according to a series of articles in the June issue of Climacteric, the journal of the International Menopause Society.

A.M. Vitals: New Recommendation on Prostate Cancer Screening

Stefanie Ilgenfritz — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:33:00 +0000

Here's what's making health news this morning: Men Should Skip Common Prostate Test, Panel Says (WSJ): The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended a "D" grade for prostate-specific-antigen, or PSA, testing which has been widely used for almost two decades to screen men for prostate cancer. Osteoporosis Drugs Linked to Rare Fractures (WSJ): Researchers noted that studies support the overall benefits of these medicines to prevent fractures, and the type of bone break linked to the drugs is very rare, but the findings add to evidence suggesting patients should reconsider taking the drugs after three to five years of use. Catholics Sue Over Health Mandate (WSJ): The University of Notre Dame, the Archdiocese of New York and 41 other Roman Catholic institutions sued the Obama administration in federal court Monday, the latest push against a requirement in the health-care-overhaul law that employers cover contraception in workers' health plans.

New DNA Test, Surgical Techniques Could Aid Scoliosis Patients

Laura Landro — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:06:02 +0000

New genetic tests and advances in surgical techniques could change the way adolescents are treated for scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that can lead to serious health problems.

Colonoscopy Alternative Reduces Cancer Deaths, Study Shows

Laura Landro — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:50:32 +0000

A large government-funded study has found that flexible sigmoidoscopy � a less-invasive test than colonoscopy -- is effective in reducing rates of new colorectal cancer cases and deaths.

A.M. Vitals: New Lung-Cancer Screening Guidelines

Stefanie Ilgenfritz — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:34:17 +0000

Here's what's making health news this morning: Lung Cancer CT Scans: Just for Older Smokers (AP): New lung-cancer screening guidelines from three medical groups recommend annual scans but only for an older group of current or former heavy smokers. The advice applies only to those aged 55 to 74 because the risks of screening younger or older smokers or nonsmokers outweigh any benefits, according to the guidelines. Data Trove May Shed Light on Health Care Uncertainties (Washington Post): Compiled by the non-profit, non-partisan Health Care Cost Institute, the database will allow researchers to slice and dice more than 3 billion medical claims for more than 33 million individuals in search of answers.

U.S. Suggests All Baby Boomers Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C

Timothy W. Martin — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:24:42 +0000

U.S. health officials are proposing all baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C, because they�re five times more likely than other adults to have the potentially fatal liver virus and many might not know they�re at risk.