public health

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TB Patient Jailed for Refusing Medication

California meth user was risking public health

(Newser) - A tuberculosis patient in California who refused to take medication to stop his condition from becoming contagious has been locked up to protect the public. Armando Rodriguez, 34, missed eight out of nine doses in the space of 47 days. He told health officials who visited his home that he...

Raising 'Good Cholesterol' Might Not Help

It doesn't seem to cut heart risks in major new study

(Newser) - If you've been diligently working to raise your levels of "good cholesterol" to maintain a healthy heart, a study in the Lancet has some sobering news: You might be wasting your time. It's true that high levels of the cholesterol, called HDL, are associated with a lower...

Treatable Infections Cause 1 in 6 Cancers
Treatable Infections
Cause 1 in 6 Cancers
in case you missed it
May 12, 2012 12:59 PM CDT

Treatable Infections Cause 1 in 6 Cancers

HPV, hepatitis B vaccines key part of cancer prevention

(Newser) - A sixth of all cancers worldwide are the result of potentially treatable or preventable infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites, according to a new study. Researchers found that that almost 2 million new cancer cases in 2008 were caused by the human papilloma virus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and...

42% of Americans Will Be Obese by 2030
42% of Americans Will Be Obese by 2030
STUDY SAYS
May 8, 2012 1:01 AM CDT

42% of Americans Will Be Obese by 2030

But growth in obesity rate has slowed down significantly

(Newser) - The once-explosive growth in the proportion of Americans who are obese has slowed, but it's still expected to grow to 42% by 2030, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control study. The study found that if the obesity rate stays at the current level—34%—then some $550...

US Measles Cases Spike
 US Measles Cases Spike 
Apr 19, 2012 2:25 PM CDT

US Measles Cases Spike

222 patients makes it worst year in 15 years

(Newser) - Last year was the worst year for measles in the US in 15 years, say health officials. The 222 cases marks a big jump from the 60 or so seen in a typical year. Most of the cases were imported, either by foreign visitors or by US residents who picked...

Need Your Appendix Out? Not So Fast

Study shows that antibiotics might be a better alternative

(Newser) - Having your appendix taken out may be a common, ho-hum procedure as far as surgeries go, but a new study suggests it may be too common. British researchers say antibiotics could be a better alternative, reports the BBC . Their study found that two-thirds of patients treated with the drugs for...

60 Minutes Asks, 'Is Sugar Toxic?'

Sweetener's spate of bad publicity goes prime time

(Newser) - Crank up the sugar lobby. The sweetener will get the 60 Minutes treatment tomorrow night, with a spate of doctors arguing that it's essentially poison. One UC endocrinologist uses the word "toxic," and thinks the big debate between sugar and high-fructose corn syrup is a waste of...

Ruling Might End Use of Antibiotics in Animal Feed

Judge tells FDA to put process in motion

(Newser) - A decision yesterday by a federal judge could mean that farmers have to stop mixing antibiotics into animal feed, reports the OnEarth blog. The judge ordered the FDA to warn drug-makers of the coming change and give them a chance to prove that the antibiotics are safe and won't...

1 in 6 Americans Is a Binge Drinker

Nation's heaviest boozers are in Wisconsin, study finds

(Newser) - Federal health officials have released their most detailed study yet of America's binge drinkers—and if you're a college-educated, high-earning young white man from Wisconsin, you may already be drunk by the time you read this. Researchers found that 38 million Americans, roughly a sixth of the adult...

Meant to Soothe, Hospital Water Walls Spread Danger

Water wall linked to outbreak of Legionnaire's disease

(Newser) - Getting too close to a water wall or other decorative water fountain in a hospital can turn you into a patient, especially if you have underlying health problems, a new study warns. Researchers focused on a hospital in Wisconsin, where a water wall in the lobby was linked to an...

Failing Artificial Hips Will Cost Us Billions

Tens of thousands of US patients could face failing implants

(Newser) - In the coming years, tens of thousands of US patients could face operations to replace artificial hip implants that are failing prematurely—and the cost could reach billions for taxpayers, insurers, employers, and others. In an extensive look at the problem, the New York Times calls it “the most...

New Yorkers Living Longer Than Most of Us

City's life expectancy now 2 years above national average

(Newser) - A Big Apple a day might help keep the Grim Reaper away: Newborn New Yorkers can now expect to live a lot longer than the average American, Mayor Michael Bloomberg says. At 80.6, the city's life expectancy—which was long well below the national average—is up almost...

Childhood Vaccinations: Analysis Shows More Kids Skipping Vaccines
 Kids Increasingly 
 Skipping Vaccines 
analysis
Nov 28, 2011 9:06 AM CST

Kids Increasingly Skipping Vaccines

Health officials concerned about new outbreaks

(Newser) - US health officials are concerned about a growing trend: Parents who opt out of vaccinating their children as required by public schools. In eight states, more than one in 20 public school kindergarten students aren't getting all of the required vaccines, according to an AP analysis. Over the past...

Climate Change Health Costs Will Be Colossal

'This is a problem with a human face'

(Newser) - The health care costs that climate change will cause have been overlooked—and they'll be staggering, according to a new study. Researchers looked at six climate-related disasters in the US, including wildfires, a hurricane, and a flood, and calculated that those six disasters alone cost the US $14 billion...

Listeria Death Toll Hits 18
 Listeria Death Toll Hits 18 
Oct 5, 2011 5:00 AM CDT

Listeria Death Toll Hits 18

More cases still expected, says FDA official

(Newser) - The death toll from the listeriosis outbreak linked to cantaloupes rose to 18 as government officials confirmed three more deaths yesterday. The total number of illnesses is now 100, according to the CDC. An FDA official says more victims are expected, since listeria symptoms can take up to two months...

Cantaloupe Death Toll Rising, May Hit 16

CDC reports 13 confirmed deaths and 72 illnesses from listeria outbreak

(Newser) - Health officials say at least 13 people have died from possible listeria illnesses traced to Colorado cantaloupes, making it the deadliest food outbreak in more than a decade. The CDC said today that 72 illnesses and 13 deaths are linked to the tainted fruit. Most of the victims were age...

Michigan to Track Kids' Weight in State Registry

Doctors will have to report BMI stats of young patients

(Newser) - Michigan is getting aggressive on childhood obesity: Under a new initiative, doctors will be required to report kids' body weight and BMI stats to a state registry, the AP reports. The children's identity would remain anonymous, but the move could still trigger concerns about privacy or the government overstepping...

Each Hour of Boob Tube Hacks 22 Mins. Off Your Life
Each Hour of Boob Tube Hacks 22 Mins. Off Your Life
in case you missed it
Aug 20, 2011 7:00 PM CDT

Each Hour of Boob Tube Hacks 22 Mins. Off Your Life

Each hour watching TV can take 22 minutes off your life

(Newser) - Watching TV could be as dangerous as smoking or obesity, with each hour in front of the boob tube shortening your life by 22 minutes, reports the Telegraph . For adults who watch six hours of TV a day, that works out to nearly five years of less living. Researchers used...

US Sees Dangerous Shortage of Cancer Drugs

Lawmakers, health officials trying to find solutions: New York Times

(Newser) - The New York Times today raises the alarm about serious shortages of drugs needed to treat common forms of cancer and other diseases. A record 180 such drugs have been deemed to be in short supply this year, and lawmakers, doctors' groups, and the drug industry itself are looking for...

Ground Turkey Linked to Salmonella Death, Illnesses

But feds don't have enough information yet for a recall

(Newser) - Ground turkey joins the salmonella scare parade. The CDC says one person has died and nearly 80 others have gotten sick across the country since March, apparently from eating contaminated batches of the meat, reports ABC News . The feds don't have enough information yet to issue an official recall...

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