Health Highlights: April 12, 2017

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Wearable Robotic Leg Brace Helps Paralyzed People Walk

A wearable motorized robotic leg brace meant to help partially paralyzed people walk was unveiled Wednesday by Toyota Motor Corp. at its Tokyo headquarters.

The Welwalk WW-1000 system attaches to a person’s leg from the knee down. Patients can practice walking with the robotic device on a special treadmill, the Associated Press reported.

The system is worn on one leg at a time by patients with severe paralysis on one side of the body due to stroke or other conditions.

Later this year, 100 of the systems will be rented to medical facilities in Japan for a one-time initial charge of $9,000 and a $3,200 monthly fee, the AP reported.

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Congressman Tom Marino to be New U.S. Drug Czar

The new U.S. drug czar will be Pennsylvania Congressman Tom Marino, according to CBS News.

Marino is finalizing paperwork and an official announcement on his appointment as head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy is expected soon, a source familiar with White House personnel matters told CBS News.

Marino is in his third term representing Pennsylvania’s rural 10th congressional district, and would give up his seat. In 2016, the former prosecutor was appointed to the House’s bipartisan committee tackling the U.S. opioid epidemic.

Two drug control bills introduced by Marino were enacted. One was meant to curb drug trafficking across borders and another aimed to increase collaboration between prescription drug distributors and the Drug Enforcement Agency to combat drug abuse, CBS News reported.