Americans still making unhealthy choices
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.
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Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study.
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Genes may boost woman's risk of postpartum depression
Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.
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Managing seasonal allergies
Although spring arrived late this year in parts of the United States, the summer allergy season will still be strong, according to a sinus expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
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Cellphone use may reveal your dominant brain
New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.
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Angelina Jolie will have ovaries removed to lower chances of cancer
Film star Angelina Jolie will have her ovaries removed to help lower her odds for ovarian cancer, People magazine reported Wednesday.
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Gene variations may explain weight gain among men, women
Weight gain in men and women is predicted by two different genetic variations -- so-called polymorphisms, according to a new study from the Netherlands.
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Rich 'cougar,' 'sugar daddy' stereotypes might not mirror reality
The notion of wealthy "sugar daddies" with young, pretty wives and well-heeled "cougar" women with handsome, young husbands may be more fiction than fact, new research suggests.
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Nearly half of high schoolers text while driving
Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.
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Obesity crisis may be fueling big jump in sleep apnea cases
The widening American waistline may be feeding an epidemic of sleep apnea, potentially robbing millions of people of a good night's rest, a new study suggests.
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Fast food hasn't gotten much healthier
Next time you have a craving for fast food, don't kid yourself that choices today are much healthier, a new study says.
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Money motivates weight loss -- one step at a time
When a health insurer told obese people they could either pay 20 percent more for coverage or start exercising, most of them decided to get active, according to a new study.
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More kids diagnosed with mental health disabilities
Significantly more U.S. children have a neurodevelopmental or mental health disability than did a decade ago, according to new research.
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Many parents texting, phoning while driving their kids
The vast majority of parents admit to being distracted in some way while driving their young child around, a new survey reveals.
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Only 1 in 5 Americans gets enough exercise
Most Americans are falling short when it comes to exercise, a new government report shows.
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White House to challenge ruling on unlimited access to 'morning-after' pill
The Obama administration announced late Wednesday that it would appeal a federal judge's order to eliminate any age restrictions on who can buy morning-after birth control pills without a prescription.
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FDA approves 'morning-after' pill without a prescription
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the over-the-counter sale of Plan B One-Step for use as emergency contraception by girls and women aged 15 and older.
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Many stroke patients don't call 911
More than one-third of people having a stroke don't call 911, even though that's the fastest route to potentially lifesaving treatment, a new study reports.
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HIV 'cure' looks 'promising,' Danish scientists contend
Danish scientists testing a novel HIV treatment in human trials contend that they're confident their strategy will result in a cure for the AIDS-causing virus, according to news reports.
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Pediatrician group issues home birth policy statement
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a policy statement on home births that includes a recommendation that there be a caregiver who's present solely to take care of the newborn.
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Don't blame parents for sins of the child
When the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings were identified as two brothers -- one of them a teenager -- many parents wondered, "Who raised these boys?"
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Most Americans oppose soda, candy taxes
Most U.S. adults aren't sweet on the idea of soda and candy taxes, and many doubt the bigger price tags would trim the national waistline.
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Many Americans breathing cleaner air
Although many Americans are now breathing cleaner air, others are living in cities that are more polluted than they were a decade ago, a new report shows.
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Prescription drug abuse up among US teens
The United States appears to be in the throes of a prescription drug abuse crisis among teens, with a new survey showing that 24 percent of high school students -- more than 5 million kids -- have abused these medications.
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Docs to teens: Cinnamon challenge prank dangerous
As if parents didn't have enough to worry about, it seems a growing number of kids are taking the "Cinnamon Challenge" -- a stunt that has landed some in the ER.
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People happier when they get more sex than their friends
A hefty chunk of your happiness may depend on whether you believe you're having as much sex as your peers are, new research suggests.
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Man arrested in tainted letter case
A Mississippi man has been arrested in connection with the sending of letters suspected of being tainted with the deadly toxin ricin to President Obama and a Republican senator, federal agents said Wednesday night.
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Drunk driving not the only way alcohol leads to teen deaths
Less than one-third of the 4,700 annual underage drinking-related deaths in the United States result from road crashes, according to a new study.
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Boston bombing injuries like a 'war zone'
Authorities were searching Tuesday for suspects and motives behind the twin bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon that killed three people and injured more than 140 others.
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Do teens who sleep in stay slimmer?
The more sleep teens get, the less likely they are to be overweight, a new study finds.
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Changes to psychiatry's 'bible' could widen definition of ADHD
Experts believe several changes in psychiatry's 'bible' will broaden both the definition and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder -- ADHD.
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Unemployment's toll can be heartbreaking
As anyone who's lost a job can attest, stress and worry often quickly follow. But the health of your heart after unemployment can also take a tumble.
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Do drug company reps tell your doc everything about side effects?
Drug company salespeople provide family doctors with little or no information about the harmful effects of medicines they are promoting, a new study says.
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Many Americans skipping meds to save money
Cash-strapped Americans often skip doses of pricey prescription drugs or take less than was prescribed by their doctor, new research shows.
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Compound in red meat, energy drinks may have heart disease link
A compound found in red meat and added as a supplement to popular energy drinks promotes hardening and clogging of the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, a new study suggests.
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Less salt, more potassium equals millions of lives saved
Reducing dietary salt intake and boosting levels of potassium would prevent millions of deaths from heart disease and stroke worldwide each year, according to three new studies.
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Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.
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Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.
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Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.
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Racial disparities seen in U.S. lung cancer treatment
Racial disparities exist in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer among hospitals in the United States, according to a large new study.
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ADHD in childhood may raise risk for obesity in adulthood
Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.
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Heart attack? Doctors soon may have an app for that
There are apps that turn your smartphone into a metal detector, a musical instrument and a GPS system, and now there's an app that may help doctors save your life if you're having a heart attack.
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High-frequency noise boosts math skills in study
Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.
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1 in 5 U.S. kids has a mental health disorder
As many as one in five American children under the age of 17 has a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to a new federal report.
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Eyelash extension adhesives may cause bad reactions
Eye experts warn that the adhesives used to apply eyelash extensions can cause allergies and infections.
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Look for new, improved sunscreen labels
New labeling laws for sunscreen will help American consumers choose the product that provides the best sun protection, experts say.
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Most Americans say no to smoking in their homes, cars
Drop by for a visit or share the drive -- but please, no smoking.
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Fitness in middle age may help shield men from cancer later
Men who are physically fit in middle age have a lower risk of developing and dying from certain cancers, new research indicates.
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Erectile dysfunction tied to long-term narcotic use in men
If you're a man, the pain-killing medications known as opioids may do more than relieve pain -- they may also put a damper on your sex life.
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Angelina Jolie has preventative double mastectomy
Hollywood film star Angelina Jolie announced Tuesday that she has undergone a double mastectomy because she carries a genetic mutation that greatly increases her risk of potentially fatal breast cancer.
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A little formula might help breast-feeding for some babies
Giving small amounts of infant formula to newborns who experience significant weight loss can increase the length of time that they are breast-fed, according to a new study.
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Many seniors suffer mental decline in silence
About 13 percent of Americans 60 and older say they have increasing problems with thinking and memory and that they suffer growing confusion, a new report released Thursday shows.
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Violent video games may numb players to brutality
Teenage boys who play violent video games for hours on end may become desensitized to the brutality, a small new study finds.
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Hospital bills can vary widely, even in same cities
The fees that hospitals charge consumers or insurance providers for services vary widely across the United States, and can even vary within geographic regions and cities, federal officials reported Wednesday.
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Gasoline poisonings in kids spike during summer
Chemicals found in gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and some insecticides and cleaning supplies are among the top 10 causes of pediatric poisoning deaths in the United States.
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Omega-3s no help against age-linked eye trouble
Adding omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients to standard antioxidant vitamins doesn't give older people any added protection against a leading cause of blindness, a new study finds.
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Want tots without allergies? Try sucking on their pacifiers
parents who want to protect their infants from developing allergies should try a simple approach to introducing their children to the wide world of microbes: Just pop their pacifiers into their own mouths before giving them back to their babies.
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Lipsticks, glosses contain toxic metals
Lipsticks and lip glosses apparently give you more than colorful kissers, according to a new study by California scientists that contends the products contain lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other toxic metals.
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Kelly the robot helps kids tackle autism
Using a kid-friendly robot during behavioral therapy sessions may help some children with autism gain better social skills, a preliminary study suggests.
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More than 4,000 U.S. kids hurt each year on amusement rides
More than 4,000 American children are injured on amusement rides each year, according to a new study that calls for standardized safety regulations.
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ER visits tied to Ambien on the rise
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of emergency-room visits related to sleep medications such as Ambien, according to a new U.S. study.
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Second man arrested in tainted letter case
Just days after one Mississippi man was cleared of charges that he sent ricin-laced letters to government officials, federal agents have arrested a second Mississippi man in connection with the crime.
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Health insurance shortfalls hit nearly half of U.S. adults
Nearly half of all working-age U.S. adults, or 84 million people, faced the prospect of crippling medical bills in 2012 because they had little or no health insurance.
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Many parents give kids cold medicines when they shouldn't
More than 40 percent of American parents give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to kids under age 4 even though they're too young for such products, a new survey finds.
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Using marijuana to treat pain? A pill may outlast a puff
A pill may work as well as a puff when it comes to using marijuana to treat pain, according to a small but carefully controlled new study.
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'Clean your plate' orders from parents may backfire
New research suggests that up to two-thirds of parents still encourage teenagers to finish all the food on their plates, even if the teen is overweight.
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Too much texting, Facebook time may lower college women's grades
Media use is a serious distraction for college freshmen, with a new study finding young women devote up to 12 hours daily on pursuits such as texting, posting status updates and surfing the web.
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Prepared for trauma, overwhelmed by carnage
Hospitals are required to routinely plan and prepare for a wide range of disasters, conducting practice drills and developing partnerships within the local health-care community.
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Seriously stressed? Hair analysis tells all
Hair analysis can reveal if seniors have elevated stress hormone levels that may put them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke, a new study suggests.
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Higher heart rate tied to earlier death, even in fit people
Faster heart rates in otherwise healthy men could be a harbinger of an earlier death, even among those who exercise, a new Danish study suggests.
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Lullabies soothe preemies, parents alike
Lullabies have been used to soothe babies since time immemorial. Now, scientists say that premature infants in particular can benefit from combining this tactic with other forms of music therapy.
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Decisions, decisions: Work out or fix a meal?
Preparing meals can mean less time for exercise, according to a new study.
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Teen's death from chickenpox highlights need for vaccination
The death from chickenpox of an otherwise healthy 15-year-old Ohio girl should remind parents of the importance of vaccination against the disease, U.S. health officials reported Thursday.
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Severely injured vets may need ongoing emotional care
U.S. veterans who suffered major limb injuries in combat showed little improvement with mental health problems in the two years after receiving treatment for their wounds.
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Smoking in youth-rated movies doubles
Smoking scenes in youth-rated movies doubled in number between 2010 and 2012, and have returned to the same level as a decade ago, according to a new report.
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Can kidney beans rid yourself of bedbugs?
A centuries-old bedbug remedy has scientists full of beans -- kidney beans to be precise.
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New bird flu no immediate threat
At this point, there's no reason to believe that the emerging H7N9 strain of bird flu that has sickened at least 24 people and killed seven in China is cause for alarm, health officials in the United States say.
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Frequent eating in kids tied to less weight gain
In what may seem a surprising finding, kids in a new study who ate more often over the course of a day were less likely to be overweight than their peers who ate the traditional three squares.
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Cancer patients may be unintended victims of budget cuts
Thousands of Medicare cancer patients are being denied treatment at clinics nationwide because of federal budget cuts related to the so-called sequester, according to a published report.
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More US couples living together instead of marrying
Many more American women are living with their partners rather than tying the knot, a new government survey finds.
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Balding men could face higher heart risks
New research out of Japan shows a potential link between male baldness and an increased risk for coronary heart disease.
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Melanoma rates rising in US children
Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, doesn't usually occur in kids, but a new study shows that it's happening more often.
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Obama unveils vast brain-mapping project
The Obama administration unveiled plans Tuesday for a mammoth and unprecedented study of the mysterious inner workings of the human brain.
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Chickenpox shot provides long-term protection
The chickenpox vaccine is very effective at preventing the disease, and its protection doesn't wane over time, new research finds.
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Another study sees no vaccine-autism link
Although some parents worry about the sheer number of vaccines babies typically receive, a new U.S. government study finds no evidence that more vaccinations increase the risk of autism.
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More genetic insights into three types of cancer
Critical clues to understanding who is at the greatest risk for particular types of cancer may be found in "spelling mistakes" contained in a person's DNA.
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Family meals nourish teens' mental health
Having regular family suppers is good for teens' mental health, according to a new study.
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Four in 10 babies given solid foods too early
Child development experts advise parents not to introduce solid foods, such as baby cereal, into an infant's diet until the infant is at least 4 to 6 months old.
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Stress during pregnancy may raise heart defect risk for baby
Stress in mothers before and during pregnancy may boost the risk of congenital heart defects in their children, more new evidence suggests.
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Evolution may keep birds from becoming roadkill
Cliff swallows in Nebraska with shorter wingspans that help them take off more quickly and pivot away from passing cars have a reduced risk of becoming roadkill, a new study reports.
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