On Thursday the New York City Health Department became the first in the nation to ban the sale of sugared beverages larger than 16 oz. at restaurants, mobile food carts, sports arenas and movie theaters.
Public Health
Whooping Cough Vaccine Wanes Over Time
It’s news that’s certain to ignite debates over vaccines again: researchers say that the childhood immunization against whooping cough fades substantially over time, leaving even fully vaccinated children vulnerable to …
Predicting Heart Attack Risk: A Calcium Test May Help
About 28 million Americans are considered at “intermediate risk” of having a heart attack. A new study suggests adding a CT scan can improve doctors’ ability to gauge these patients’ actual risk
Prostate Cancer Screening: Why Can’t Doctors Agree?
According to a U.S. government advisory panel, almost no one should get screened for prostate cancer. But a new study this week reflects the continued view of many physicians — that screening does help to catch tumors earlier. …
From the NYC Soda Ban Hearing: The Best Arguments For and Against
Supersized debate: opinions flowed over at the public hearing on New York City’s proposed ban on large-sized sodas, on which the Board of Health is set to vote on Sept. 13
HIV Treatment Results Are Improving — But Maybe Not as Much as We Thought
The proportion of U.S. patients who receive effective treatment has jumped from 45% in 2001 to 72% in 2010, according to a large national study, but that’s still lower than some previous estimates
HIV Patients Should Start Drug Treatment Right Away, New Guidelines Say
Thousands of scientists, doctors, policymakers and people living with HIV are meeting this week for the annual International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., the first time the conference is being held on U.S. soil in 22 years.
HIV Continues to Spread Among Gay Men, Studies Show
Even in countries that have made great gains in reducing the burden of AIDS, the epidemic is still growing among gay men
Truvada: 5 Things to Know About the First Drug to Prevent HIV
Doctors now have another weapon against HIV/AIDS in their arsenal, and it’s a potent one.
NYC’s Trans Fat Ban Worked: Fast-Food Diners Are Eating Healthier
In 2006, New York City passed a first-in-the-nation ban on trans fats in restaurant food. Here’s how it worked
Doctors Should Screen All Adults for Obesity, U.S. Panel Says
With more American adults qualifying as obese than ever before, doctors should be screening all adult patients for unhealthy weight, says a government panel.
H5N1: Bird Flu Pandemic May Be Closer than Thought, Study Finds
It may take as few as five mutations for H5N1 to go from being a bird-only problem to a potentially deadly human pandemic flu, researchers report.
Prescriptions for Kids: ADHD Meds and Birth Control Pills Are Up, Antibiotics Are Down
The FDA reports that drug prescriptions for kids have dropped overall since 2002, but while the use of certain drugs like antibiotics fell, prescriptions for others, including ADHD meds, increased significantly.
