Health Highlights: May 2, 2012
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Month: May 2012
Study Finds Direct Link Between Obesity, Heart Disease
WEDNESDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) — A large new study is the first to show a direct link between a high body-mass index and the risk of developing heart disease, British and Danish researchers say.
Health Tip: Watch for Symptoms of Seizure
U.S. Ranks 131st in World for Premature Birth Rate
Clues to ‘Slacker’ Behavior Found in Brain, Study Says
Health Tip: Help Prevent Back Pain
Scientists Spot How Cox-2 Painkillers Raise Heart Risks
Controversial Deadly Bird Flu Research Finally Published
Facebook calls on members to flag organ donor status
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Tired of the long wait for a new kidney, Michael Shelling, a 50-year-old video game marketing consultant based in San Diego, decided to take a more active role in the search. About three months ago, he decided to tap into his social network by setting up a Facebook page to get the word out to his friends, and their friends, that he needs a new kidney and, by the way, his blood type is O. The search may have paid off. A potential donor is going through testing to see if they are a match. It is the kind of scenario Facebook hopes to foster. …
Global Fund to Fight AIDS to slash over 100 jobs
The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria said Wednesday it is cutting over 100 jobs, in an overhaul after a rough financial period and a scandal in which millions of dollars went missing.
Kids on cow farms may have fewer allergies
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Kids who grow up on farms and have contact with cows and cow milk are less likely to have allergies and asthma than kids raised nearby but not on a farm, according to a new study from Europe. Researchers had previously noticed that kids raised on European farms have lower rates of asthma and allergies than other children (see Reuters Health story of June 1, 2010). But the new findings help identify, at least in part, what specifically may protect some farm-raised youngsters against developing asthma or allergies. “Nature can really teach us something here,” said Dr. …
U.S. charges more than 100 over Medicare fraud schemes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Authorities have charged 107 people including doctors and nurses for trying to defraud the federal Medicare healthcare program for the elderly and disabled of about $452 million, the Obama administration said on Wednesday. At least 75 people in Miami, Houston and Baton Rouge were charged during the last two days for submitting false billing for home health care, mental health services, HIV infusions and physical therapy, among other charges. …