NPR Topics: Health http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1128&ft=1&f=1128 Health Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Health http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1128&ft=1&f=1128 Nuclear Radiation Worries? There's A Pill For That Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com — a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120751935&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120751935&ft=1&f=1128 Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com — a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug.

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]]> Scientists Seek New Ways To Produce Flu Vaccine One reason for the shortage of the new H1N1 flu vaccine this year is the way flu vaccines are made. A modified form of the virus is grown inside chicken eggs, but the process takes months. Now, scientists are working to create new flu vaccines that can be made much faster, using the virus' DNA. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120711392&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120711392&ft=1&f=1128 One reason for the shortage of the new H1N1 flu vaccine this year is the way flu vaccines are made. A modified form of the virus is grown inside chicken eggs, but the process takes months. Now, scientists are working to create new flu vaccines that can be made much faster, using the virus' DNA.

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]]> For Public, Affordability A Key Issue In Health Bill The debate in Washington over how much the health care overhaul bills will cost has largely centered on the bottom line for the federal government. But polls repeatedly show Americans are much more concerned about how a reshaped health care system will affect their own family's financial situation. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120723411&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120723411&ft=1&f=1128 The debate in Washington over how much the health care overhaul bills will cost has largely centered on the bottom line for the federal government. But polls repeatedly show Americans are much more concerned about how a reshaped health care system will affect their own family's financial situation.

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]]> Giving Thanks For Some Means Getting Ready For Life's End Advocates for advance directives and palliative care are encouraging families to make talk about end-of-life care part of the holiday conversation. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114414516&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114414516&ft=1&f=1128 Advocates for advance directives and palliative care are encouraging families to make talk about end-of-life care part of the holiday conversation.

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]]> Impact Of Swine Flu Examined Where we are in the course of the swine flu epidemic? Has the H1N1 virus behaved as expected? What about the production and distribution of vaccine? Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center For Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, discusses the severity and impact of swine flu so far. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120846065&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120846065&ft=1&f=1128 Where we are in the course of the swine flu epidemic? Has the H1N1 virus behaved as expected? What about the production and distribution of vaccine? Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center For Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, discusses the severity and impact of swine flu so far.

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]]> White House Defends Overhaul's Cost-Cutting The administration cites a letter from economists as evidence that Democrats' plans for remaking the nation's health system will tackle costs. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114414296&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114414296&ft=1&f=1128 The administration cites a letter from economists as evidence that Democrats' plans for remaking the nation's health system will tackle costs.

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]]> How Health Overhaul Might Impact Premiums If a Democratic health bill passes, certain individuals and small businesses initially would pay more for insurance, while others would pay less, experts predict. But the long-term outlook is less clear. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:19:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120844067&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120844067&ft=1&f=1128 If a Democratic health bill passes, certain individuals and small businesses initially would pay more for insurance, while others would pay less, experts predict. But the long-term outlook is less clear.

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]]> Sparring Over Cost Controls In Senate Health Bill The Senate health bill is loaded with provisions to control costs, supporters say. Critics charge the moves don't go far enough to rein in health spending. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:11:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114414118&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114414118&ft=1&f=1128 The Senate health bill is loaded with provisions to control costs, supporters say. Critics charge the moves don't go far enough to rein in health spending.

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]]> Vegetarian Dietitian: It's Okay To Splurge On Thanksgiving Turkey Millions of Thanksgiving turkeys will be eaten this year. But the American Dietetic Association (ADA) says it might be a good idea to cut back on the meat. Host Jennifer Ludden talks to the ADA's Dawn Jackson Blatner, author of <em>The Flexitarian Diet</em>. Blatner says you don't have to rush out and get a Tofurky (tofu prepared to taste like turkey), but decreasing the amount of meat intake could lead to better health. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120816481&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120816481&ft=1&f=1128 Millions of Thanksgiving turkeys will be eaten this year. But the American Dietetic Association (ADA) says it might be a good idea to cut back on the meat. Host Jennifer Ludden talks to the ADA's Dawn Jackson Blatner, author of The Flexitarian Diet. Blatner says you don't have to rush out and get a Tofurky (tofu prepared to taste like turkey), but decreasing the amount of meat intake could lead to better health.

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]]> Chef Cooks Up Soulful Thanksgiving ... Vegan Style The turkey is the unofficial symbol of Thanksgiving, but don't tell that to eco-chef Bryant Terry. He's the author of <em>The Vegan Soul Kitchen</em>. Terry shares tried and true holiday recipes with a vegetarian twist. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120816487&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120816487&ft=1&f=1128 The turkey is the unofficial symbol of Thanksgiving, but don't tell that to eco-chef Bryant Terry. He's the author of The Vegan Soul Kitchen. Terry shares tried and true holiday recipes with a vegetarian twist.

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]]> Mammograms And Beyond For Detecting Breast Cancer For now, mammography is the best bet for detecting breast cancer, but there's plenty of room for improvement. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:52:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114413714&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114413714&ft=1&f=1128 For now, mammography is the best bet for detecting breast cancer, but there's plenty of room for improvement.

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]]> Traveling? Leave Swine Flu Behind The CDC says wash your hands and cover your coughs and sneezes. If you're feeling sick, please stay home. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:03:55 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114413375&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114413375&ft=1&f=1128 The CDC says wash your hands and cover your coughs and sneezes. If you're feeling sick, please stay home.

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]]> A Vote For Health Care, A Vote Against Gun Rights? President Obama's push to overhaul the nation's health care system has been sparking debate for months. But a new attack emerged Saturday &mdash; from a gun-rights group. The White House responded Tuesday to the claim that the proposed bill is bad for gun owners. It's another hot-button issue for Democrats to address as the bill moves forward. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120809045&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120809045&ft=1&f=1128 President Obama's push to overhaul the nation's health care system has been sparking debate for months. But a new attack emerged Saturday — from a gun-rights group. The White House responded Tuesday to the claim that the proposed bill is bad for gun owners. It's another hot-button issue for Democrats to address as the bill moves forward.

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]]> Taxpayers May Pick Up Tab For Drug Ads Researchers suggest that drug companies passed advertising costs on to taxpayers by hiking the price they charge Medicaid programs for the drug. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114412135&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114412135&ft=1&f=1128 Researchers suggest that drug companies passed advertising costs on to taxpayers by hiking the price they charge Medicaid programs for the drug.

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]]> Pa. University Targets Overweight Students Students at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania are upset about a school rule requiring overweight students to take an exercise course in order to graduate. The rule applies to students with a body mass index above 30. James DeBoy, chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Lincoln University, says the school officials believe that its their responsibility to alert students to the dangers of obesity. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120784381&ft=1&f=1128 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120784381&ft=1&f=1128 Students at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania are upset about a school rule requiring overweight students to take an exercise course in order to graduate. The rule applies to students with a body mass index above 30. James DeBoy, chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Lincoln University, says the school officials believe that its their responsibility to alert students to the dangers of obesity.

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