Changing mothers’ aid limits juice for kids
A change to a U.S. program that provides food and medical visits to many infants, children and pregnant women succeeded in reducing the amount of juice bought overall, according to a new study. Researchers examined the impact of an October 2009 change in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – known [...]
Strokes happen to young people, too: Do you know the signs?
Imagine a weird feeling—say, an unusual headache or a random surge of euphoria. Then imagine losing control of your muscles and your voice. Then imagine blacking out and waking up in a hospital. It sounds awful, mind-boggling, and totally unlikely to happen. But even though strokes are rare in people under 55, they do happen. [...]
Most women back over-the-counter birth control pill
Close to two-thirds of women favor making contraceptive pills available over the counter, according to a new nationally-representative survey. In addition, about 30 percent of women using either no birth control or a less effective method – such as condoms – said they would likely take the Pill if it was sold without a prescription, [...]
FDA: Morning after pill OK for ages 15 and up
The government on Tuesday lowered to 15 the age at which girls can buy the morning-after pill without a prescription and said the emergency contraception no longer has to be kept behind pharmacy counters. The decision by the Food and Drug Administration is an attempt to find middle ground just days before a court-imposed deadline [...]
FDA will investigate added caffeine in foods
Looking for a new way to get that jolt of caffeine energy? Food companies are betting snacks like potato chips, jelly beans and gum with a caffeinated kick could be just the answer. The Food and Drug Administration is closely watching the marketing of these foods and wants to know more about their safety. The [...]
U.S.-born kids have more allergies, asthma
Kids and teens who are born abroad and immigrate to the United States are about half as likely to have asthma and allergies as those who are born in the U.S., according to a new study. Researchers surveyed the parents of 80,000 children in one of six languages and found that association held even after [...]
FDA approves first drug of its kind for type 2 diabetes
On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first of a new type of medication to treat type 2 diabetes. Nearly 26 million people have diabetes in the United States alone, and some 347 million people have the chronic disease worldwide, with type 2 diabetes being the most common form of the condition. [...]
Chelation little help for heart disease: study
Removing metals from the body through a controversial treatment has little effect on the long-term health of people who’ve previously suffered a heart attack, according to the results of a government-funded trial released Tuesday. Researchers found no difference in how many of 1,708 participants died in the four and a half years after they received [...]
Study: Health overhaul to raise claims cost 32 pct
Insurance companies will have to pay out an average of 32 percent more for medical claims on individual health policies under President Barack Obama’s overhaul, the nation’s leading group of financial risk analysts has estimated. That’s likely to increase premiums for at least some Americans buying individual plans. The report by the Society of Actuaries [...]
Rewards get kids active, but don’t improve health
Children will meet activity goals to earn rewards, but the extra effort doesn’t necessarily affect their weight and health, according to a new study. The findings reinforce earlier research showing that incentives work to get kids more physically active, but the goal might need to be more challenging to show any health benefits. “If I [...]
