NPR People: Brenda Wilson http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101379&ft=1&f=2101379 Brenda Wilson is a Science Desk Correspondent and Editor for National Public Radio. Based in Washington, Wilson reports on national and international public health, legislation, the White House, and current political and social issues. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Brenda Wilson http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101379&ft=1&f=2101379 yes New Guidelines Issued On Cervical Cancer Screening The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued new guidelines for cervical cancer screening — delaying the start of Pap smears for young women and cutting back on the frequency of the tests. The guidelines were announced just days after a different group caused a furor by recommending that most women wait until they're 50 to start getting mammograms. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120602683&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120602683&ft=1&f=2101379 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued new guidelines for cervical cancer screening — delaying the start of Pap smears for young women and cutting back on the frequency of the tests. The guidelines were announced just days after a different group caused a furor by recommending that most women wait until they're 50 to start getting mammograms. 254 no The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued new guidelines for cervical cancer screening — delaying the start of Pap smears for young women and cutting back on the frequency of the tests. The guidelines were announced just days after a different group caused a furor by recommending that most women wait until they're 50 to start getting mammograms.

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]]> Panel: Mammograms Should Start At 50, Not 40 A panel of experts says mammograms are causing women being screened for breast cancer to have too many false alarms and unneeded biopsies. The panel is recommending that women wait until 50 to get mammograms and then only every two years. The American Cancer Society says it stands by its recommendations of regular mammograms beginning at age 40. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120488586&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120488586&ft=1&f=2101379 A panel of experts says mammograms are causing women being screened for breast cancer to have too many false alarms and unneeded biopsies. The panel is recommending that women wait until 50 to get mammograms and then only every two years. The American Cancer Society says it stands by its recommendations of regular mammograms beginning at age 40. 229 no A panel of experts says mammograms are causing women being screened for breast cancer to have too many false alarms and unneeded biopsies. The panel is recommending that women wait until 50 to get mammograms and then only every two years. The American Cancer Society says it stands by its recommendations of regular mammograms beginning at age 40.

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]]> Panel: Begin Mammograms At 50, Not 40 Newly revised recommendations from a prominent health task force say most women under 50 don't need routine mammograms. New research shows the benefits are small for women 40 to 49, and don't outweigh the downsides. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120470428&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120470428&ft=1&f=2101379 Newly revised recommendations from a prominent health task force say most women under 50 don't need routine mammograms. New research shows the benefits are small for women 40 to 49, and don't outweigh the downsides. 247 no Newly revised recommendations from a prominent health task force say most women under 50 don't need routine mammograms. New research shows the benefits are small for women 40 to 49, and don't outweigh the downsides.

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]]> Group Seeks Pedestrian-Friendly Roads Walking, biking and other forms of physical activity are central to a healthy life, and for many, the only way of getting from here to there. The problem is that our thoroughfares are often designed for cars and traffic flow. In 15 years, they've killed more than 70,000 people. Health groups and others have been pushing for a more walkable, bikeable world and states are realizing things need to change. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120266854&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120266854&ft=1&f=2101379 Walking, biking and other forms of physical activity are central to a healthy life, and for many, the only way of getting from here to there. The problem is that our thoroughfares are often designed for cars and traffic flow. In 15 years, they've killed more than 70,000 people. Health groups and others have been pushing for a more walkable, bikeable world and states are realizing things need to change. 237 no Walking, biking and other forms of physical activity are central to a healthy life, and for many, the only way of getting from here to there. The problem is that our thoroughfares are often designed for cars and traffic flow. In 15 years, they've killed more than 70,000 people. Health groups and others have been pushing for a more walkable, bikeable world and states are realizing things need to change.

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]]> Report: U.S. Trails In Infant Mortality A report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the U.S. ranked 30th in the world in infant mortality rates, mainly because of a higher rate of pre-term births than most countries in Europe. Analysts say these studies don't take sufficiently into account the U.S. population mix. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120098242&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120098242&ft=1&f=2101379 A report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the U.S. ranked 30th in the world in infant mortality rates, mainly because of a higher rate of pre-term births than most countries in Europe. Analysts say these studies don't take sufficiently into account the U.S. population mix. 237 no A report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the U.S. ranked 30th in the world in infant mortality rates, mainly because of a higher rate of pre-term births than most countries in Europe. Analysts say these studies don't take sufficiently into account the U.S. population mix.

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]]> CDC Weighs HPV Vaccine For Boys An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will decide tomorrow whether to recommend that boys get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. The vaccine protects against the most common strains of the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113977749&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113977749&ft=1&f=2101379 An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will decide tomorrow whether to recommend that boys get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. The vaccine protects against the most common strains of the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. 239 no An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will decide tomorrow whether to recommend that boys get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. The vaccine protects against the most common strains of the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer.

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]]> Report Shows Fewer Abortions Worldwide The number of women seeking abortions worldwide has declined dramatically in the past decade, even as laws against abortion were liberalized in many countries, according to a recent report from the Guttmacher Institute. At the same time, unintended pregnancy rates didn't go up. These statistics are attributed to greater access to contraceptives, but the picture isn't the same for women in every country. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113781799&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113781799&ft=1&f=2101379 The number of women seeking abortions worldwide has declined dramatically in the past decade, even as laws against abortion were liberalized in many countries, according to a recent report from the Guttmacher Institute. At the same time, unintended pregnancy rates didn't go up. These statistics are attributed to greater access to contraceptives, but the picture isn't the same for women in every country. 212 no The number of women seeking abortions worldwide has declined dramatically in the past decade, even as laws against abortion were liberalized in many countries, according to a recent report from the Guttmacher Institute. At the same time, unintended pregnancy rates didn't go up. These statistics are attributed to greater access to contraceptives, but the picture isn't the same for women in every country.

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]]> Lifting Of HIV Ban Leaves Many Immigrants In Limbo For decades, people infected with HIV have not been allowed to immigrate or become permanent U.S. residents. Congress has removed the statute, and the Department of Health and Human Services is working on a more lenient immigration rule. But many people with HIV are worried their applications and visas may expire before that happens. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113704086&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113704086&ft=1&f=2101379 For decades, people infected with HIV have not been allowed to immigrate or become permanent U.S. residents. Congress has removed the statute, and the Department of Health and Human Services is working on a more lenient immigration rule. But many people with HIV are worried their applications and visas may expire before that happens. 347 no For decades, people infected with HIV have not been allowed to immigrate or become permanent U.S. residents. Congress has removed the statute, and the Department of Health and Human Services is working on a more lenient immigration rule. But many people with HIV are worried their applications and visas may expire before that happens.

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]]> Progress In Treating HIV; Still A Long Way To Go More than 4 million people in low- and middle-income countries are currently receiving life-preserving drug treatments for HIV, a 39 percent increase in one year. Still, in many countries in Africa, the number of people infected continues to rise, and funding for treatment is in danger. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113348943&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113348943&ft=1&f=2101379 More than 4 million people in low- and middle-income countries are currently receiving life-preserving drug treatments for HIV, a 39 percent increase in one year. Still, in many countries in Africa, the number of people infected continues to rise, and funding for treatment is in danger. 180 no More than 4 million people in low- and middle-income countries are currently receiving life-preserving drug treatments for HIV, a 39 percent increase in one year. Still, in many countries in Africa, the number of people infected continues to rise, and funding for treatment is in danger.

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]]> New Dating Seminars Target Teen Violence School officials are worried that too many teens are hitting and slapping the person they're dating. Across the country, schools have opened this fall with programs to help kids understand that hitting is not the way to get your point across. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113211662&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113211662&ft=1&f=2101379 School officials are worried that too many teens are hitting and slapping the person they're dating. Across the country, schools have opened this fall with programs to help kids understand that hitting is not the way to get your point across. 295 no School officials are worried that too many teens are hitting and slapping the person they're dating. Across the country, schools have opened this fall with programs to help kids understand that hitting is not the way to get your point across.

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]]> What Doctors Are Telling Patients About HPV Vaccine The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that girls around the age of 11 get the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine to protect them against strains of virus that can cause cervical cancer. The idea is to get them vaccinated before they become sexually active and possibly infected with HPV. But some research shows that doctors aren't advising their patients to get the vaccine — at least not until they are briefed on the research. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112614694&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112614694&ft=1&f=2101379 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that girls around the age of 11 get the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine to protect them against strains of virus that can cause cervical cancer. The idea is to get them vaccinated before they become sexually active and possibly infected with HPV. But some research shows that doctors aren't advising their patients to get the vaccine — at least not until they are briefed on the research. 255 no The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that girls around the age of 11 get the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine to protect them against strains of virus that can cause cervical cancer. The idea is to get them vaccinated before they become sexually active and possibly infected with HPV. But some research shows that doctors aren't advising their patients to get the vaccine — at least not until they are briefed on the research.

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]]> CDC Tuberculosis Rule Slows International Adoption The CDC now requires that internationally adopted children with TB be treated in their home countries. For 4-year-old Harper that meant two weeks in a Beijing hotel with her new parents, instead of a flight to her new home in Virginia. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112176363&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112176363&ft=1&f=2101379 The CDC now requires that internationally adopted children with TB be treated in their home countries. For 4-year-old Harper that meant two weeks in a Beijing hotel with her new parents, instead of a flight to her new home in Virginia. 334 no The CDC now requires that internationally adopted children with TB be treated in their home countries. For 4-year-old Harper that meant two weeks in a Beijing hotel with her new parents, instead of a flight to her new home in Virginia.

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]]> Study: HPV Vaccine Mostly Safe A new study in the <em>Journal of the American Medical Association</em> indicates the risks of the vaccine given to millions of young girls to protect them against HPV are in line with the risks of any other vaccine. But 6 percent of the 12,000 incidents reported to the CDC are considered serious. These include 32 deaths. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112035659&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112035659&ft=1&f=2101379 A new study in the <em>Journal of the American Medical Association</em> indicates the risks of the vaccine given to millions of young girls to protect them against HPV are in line with the risks of any other vaccine. But 6 percent of the 12,000 incidents reported to the CDC are considered serious. These include 32 deaths. 231 no A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates the risks of the vaccine given to millions of young girls to protect them against HPV are in line with the risks of any other vaccine. But 6 percent of the 12,000 incidents reported to the CDC are considered serious. These include 32 deaths.

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]]> Relax! Vacations Are Good For Your Health Americans get an average of 12 days of paid leave every year. Europeans enjoy almost double the vacation time, and it's enforced by law. Research suggests Americans should do the same &mdash; if not for fun, then for better health. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111887591&ft=1&f=2101379 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111887591&ft=1&f=2101379 Americans get an average of 12 days of paid leave every year. Europeans enjoy almost double the vacation time, and it's enforced by law. Research suggests Americans should do the same &mdash; if not for fun, then for better health. 256 no Americans get an average of 12 days of paid leave every year. Europeans enjoy almost double the vacation time, and it's enforced by law. Research suggests Americans should do the same — if not for fun, then for better health.

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