Suicide continues to become more common in the United States, with rural areas hit hardest by this ongoing crisis of despair, a new study reports. Deprivation, isolation and lack of access to mental health care all appear to be driving the crisis in rural America, said lead researcher Danielle Steelesmith. She’s a postdoctoral fellow at…  read on >

Growing up in a poor neighborhood significantly increases kids’ odds of becoming obese adults, and the risk is highest among teens, a new study says. It found that children from poor neighborhoods had 31% higher odds for adult obesity, and the risk was much higher (29%) among 11- to 18-year-olds than for younger children (13%).…  read on >

Trying to calm a cranky baby can be stressful for parents, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has an important caution about what not to do. Don’t place baby in a so-called “sleep positioner,” “nest” or “anti-roll” device, because of the suffocation risk. Babies have died after rolling from side to tummy and being…  read on >

The overall death rate of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa may have been underestimated, with new research finding survivors could have a five times higher death rate after leaving the hospital than the general population. An outbreak of Ebola is currently raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 3,000 cases of…  read on >

Teen boys who are overweight or obese may be more likely to have a heart attack before they’re old enough to retire, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 1.7 million men in Sweden born between 1950 and 1987 who had extensive physical exams when they entered mandatory military service at age…  read on >

When your child is sick, taking the right medication can make all the difference — as long as it’s correctly chosen and measured. But sometimes mistakes occur. Here are safety steps to help prevent medication errors from happening. Make sure that the prescribing doctor knows about any drugs, vitamins and supplements your child takes, and…  read on >

For most healthy women, exercise during pregnancy is as important as it is at all times of life. It brings benefits such as better overall health, preventing back pain and keeping you regular, which can be a challenge for some women. While low-impact aerobic activities like walking are often emphasized, research has found a surprising…  read on >

Determining if a child’s troubling behavior is “part of growing up” or a sign of a mental health problem can be difficult. Parents should contact a mental health professional if symptoms last weeks or more and interfere with the child’s daily life, says the National Institute of Mental Health. Warning signs of a mental illness…  read on >

Getting kids to eat right can be a challenge, but an easy place to start is with the lunch they bring to school. Make the contents of their lunchbox more fun, and they’ll be more likely to eat what you pack. These creative tips will make this meal more nutritious, too. Begin with a sandwich…  read on >