Despite safety warnings from drug regulators, some U.S. children are still being given a risky painkiller after having their tonsils removed, a new study finds. At issue is the opioid painkiller codeine. In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a “black box” warning, advising doctors against prescribing codeine to children to control tonsillectomy… read on >
Obese people who follow a low-fat weight-loss plan could tack extra years onto their life, a new review of medical evidence suggests. Such diets appear to help decrease overall risk of early death by 18 percent in people with obesity, amounting to six fewer deaths for every 1,000 people, researchers concluded. “Weight loss by cutting… read on >
Smog might raise a woman’s risk of miscarriage early in her pregnancy, a new study suggests. Chronic exposure seemed to increase that risk by more than 10 percent, according to researchers who tracked hundreds of pregnancies among couples in Michigan and Texas. “We found that both ozone and particles in the air were related to… read on >
If your child has cancer and is being treated by a team of specialists, frequent and open communication is essential. The American Cancer Society suggests how to talk with team members: Actively take part in your child’s care. Communication should be clear, direct and honest. Treat team members with respect. Provide thorough and accurate information… read on >
Smoke from a nearby wildfire threatens anyone, but poses even more of a threat to people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes, the American Lung Association says. The group suggests what to do if a wildfire burns near you: Stay inside, if possible. Do not rely on a dust mask to keep your lungs… read on >
Every year, about 5 million Americans are treated for skin cancer — an abnormal growth of skin cells that most often develops on areas exposed to the sun. You can spot early signs by regularly checking your skin for changes. Everyone is susceptible to skin cancer. However, people who have light skin that burns easily,… read on >
Even if researchers were to find a groundbreaking new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, millions of people might not benefit from it, new research reveals. That’s because the U.S. health care system doesn’t have the ability to quickly implement a newly approved treatment on a widespread scale, according to a report from the RAND Corporation. For… read on >
Health insurance and tumor characteristics are major reasons for the differences in colon cancer survival rates between blacks and whites in the United States, a new study finds. Researchers examined data from nearly 200,000 Americans with colon cancer, ages 18-64, and found that the five-year survival rate was 66.5 percent for whites and 57.3 percent… read on >
Despite the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord on climate change, the United States will benefit from international efforts to slow the global environmental threat, researchers say. Improvements in air quality and health are likely as a result of domestic and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study led by… read on >
Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk for an aggressive type of breast cancer among black women in the United States, a new study finds. Researchers from Boston University analyzed data from more than 54,000 black women who were cancer-free at the start of the study. During the next 18 years, 914 women were diagnosed… read on >
