Chlorine is supposed to take care of most of the microbes floating around in pools, but human waste, it seems, is stubbornly …
Public Health
Obama O.K. With Morning-After Pill Sales at Age 15
(MEXICO CITY) — President Barack Obama said Thursday he was comfortable with his administration’s decision to allow over-the-counter purchases of a morning-after pill for anyone 15 and older.
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday had lowered the age at which people can buy the Plan B One-Step morning-after pill without a …
Women’s Groups Decry Appeal on Morning-After Pill
(WASHINGTON) — The Obama administration’s decision to appeal a court order lifting age limits on purchasers of the morning-after pill set off a storm of criticism from reproductive rights groups, who denounced it as politically motivated and a step backward for women’s health.
“We are profoundly disappointed. This appeal takes away …
FDA Lowers Age for Buyers of Plan B Pill to 15
(WASHINGTON) — In a surprise twist to the decade-plus effort to ease access to morning-after pills, the government is lowering the age limit to 15 for one brand — Plan B One-Step — and will let it be sold over the counter.
Today, Plan B and its generic competition are sold behind pharmacy counters, and people must prove they’re …
Food Safety: CDC Report Shows Rates of Foodborne Illnesses Remain Largely Unchanged
About 1 in 6 people in the United States gets sick from eating contaminated food, a rate that has not declined in seven years.
Fertilizer’s Dangerous Ingredient: The Health Hazards of Ammonia Exposure
A blast at a fertilizer plant in the small town of West, Texas, raises concerns about exposure to anhydrous ammonia, a potentially deadly gas that is stored at high pressure.
Protecting Against Ricin Exposure: Mail Facility Safeguards “Work”
Screening procedures put in place after 9-11 detected letters testing positive for ricin mailed to the President and Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi.
Why Circumcision Lowers Risk of HIV
Promising trials hinted that circumcision could lower rates of HIV infection, but until now, researchers didn’t fully understand why
Letter With Ricin Sent to Senator: How Dangerous Is the Toxin?
Congressional officials confirmed that a letter addressed to Senator Roger Wicker tested positive for ricin, a potentially fatal natural toxin.
SARS 10 Years Later: Are We Better Prepared for Outbreaks?
SARS raised the worldwide alarm for how vulnerable we are to disease epidemics. Did we learn our lesson?
What Roller Derby Can Teach Us about Our Germs
Researcher and former skater Jessica Green wanted to test how microbes are spread by contact. What better way to do so than via a sport with plenty of contact?
Aloha to the Healthiest State: Hawaii Ranks Highest in Well-Being
Are we really surprised?
Remembering Dr. C. Everett Koop, America’s Doctor
Koop endowed the office of Surgeon General with important powers to influence public health
