Time is running out for millions of American kids covered by the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Stopgap funding for the federal program for these kids will expire Jan. 19. Soon thereafter, states will begin to cut kids’ coverage as the money runs dry, experts say. Nearly 1.7 million children on CHIP in 20 states… read on >
“Nutrition Facts” labels mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have made it easier to know more about what’s inside packaged foods. But the information isn’t always easy to decipher, especially since the “daily value” percentages are based on a maintenance diet, not a weight-loss one. Start by looking at the number of servings… read on >
A Mediterranean diet may make seniors less likely to become frail and help them maintain their health and independence, new research suggests. Frailty — characterized by weak muscle strength, weight loss and low energy — is common among seniors. Frail seniors are at increased risk for falls, fractures, hospitalization, disability, dementia, nursing home placement and… read on >
Injecting a calcium-based cement into the bones of some people with knee or hip pain could help them avoid joint replacement surgery, Ohio State University doctors say. The calcium phosphate cement flows into the spongy inside portion of the bone, filling in microfractures and other damaged areas, and it hardens in about 10 minutes’ time,… read on >
Potty training can be a difficult experience for parents and children, but with the right plan in place, it doesn’t have to be. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions for implementing a successful potty-training plan: Give plenty of praise, affection and treats to encourage your child when he or she uses the potty.… read on >
A healthy brain is necessary for a longer and fuller life. But increasing rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are threats to maintaining a healthy brain, the American Heart Association warns. In the United States, one of every three adults, or 75 million people, has high blood pressure, the heart association says. Of… read on >
Though healthy eating is good for everyone, those who have genes that put them at high risk for obesity might benefit the most. A new study suggests that even those who carry an inherited predisposition to pack on excess pounds are not destined to become obese. In fact, researchers say it can be avoided over… read on >
Chemotherapy and radiation are the standard of care for small-cell lung cancer that hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. But many patients don’t receive these treatments, a new study indicates. This less-than-optimal care is reducing survival rates, according to researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “In order to improve… read on >
Wine and spirits are tallied in the “empty calories” column because they lack any nutritional benefits. Add cream or soda to make a mixed drink and you can more than double the caloric damage. So how can you enjoy a cocktail without wrecking your diet? Here are some options. Choose your alcoholic drinks wisely. A… read on >
Black children are more than twice as likely as white kids to die from surgery complications in the United States, a new study suggests. Researchers found that black kids more often had risk factors that raised their odds of dying within 30 days of surgery. They were more likely, for example, to need blood transfusions… read on >
