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Patti Neighmond Award-winning journalist Patti Neighmond is NPR's health policy correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.
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Health

Study: Tanning Beds Substantially Raise Skin Cancer Risks

New research spells out the risk of skin cancer associated with tanning beds. The FDA is looking into regulating the industry more strictly.

Study: Tanning Beds Substantially Raise Skin Cancer Risks

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Working To Stop Teens Texting Behind The Wheel

Texting behind the wheel almost killed 16-year-old driver Tyler Young. Courtesy of The News On 6 hide caption

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Courtesy of The News On 6

Your Health

Working To Stop Teens Texting Behind The Wheel

For many teens, their cell phones are an extension of themselves. They use their phones while they're at school, while they're in bed — even while they drive. And an increasing number of car crashes are caused by those distracted by cell phones. Experts are developing projects to stop teens and adults alike from texting in the car.

Working To Stop Teens Texting Behind The Wheel

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Your Health

Panel Urges FDA To Regulate Salt In Food

The Institute of Medicine issued a report Tuesday on reducing salt intake. They are recommending that Americans reduce their salt intake significantly, and that the FDA take the lead in leveling the playing field for food processors so that salt content can be systematically reduced over a period of years.

Panel Urges FDA To Regulate Salt In Food

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Dating Study Says Singles With Options Go For Hotties

Research News

Dating Study Says Singles With Options Go For Hotties

Psychologists know that too many choices can be overwhelming and lead to indecision or rash judgments. A similar trend appears with speed dating. The larger the dating pool, the more singles tend to make snap judgments based on looks. In smaller groups, however, speed daters were more likely to pick based on personal info from conversations.

Dating Study Says Singles With Options Go For Hotties

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For Hoarders, The Mess Begins In The Mind

Many people with a hoarding anxiety disorder need to take baby steps in order to cope with organization — like cleaning a bit at a time, rather than getting rid of everything at once. Grap/Wikimedia Commons hide caption

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Grap/Wikimedia Commons

Mental Health

For Hoarders, The Mess Begins In The Mind

Researchers now believe that compulsive hoarding is an anxiety disorder that first emerges early in life and gets worse with time. For many, therapy that focuses on decision-making skills and reducing anxiety is much more successful than simply cleaning out the home.

For Hoarders, The Mess Begins In The Mind

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U.S. Youth Likely To Face Greater Health Issues

Despite public health messages about exercise and eating healthfully, many children are acquiring what used to be considered "adult diseases," like diabetes and high blood pressure. M. Spencer Green/AP hide caption

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M. Spencer Green/AP

Your Health

U.S. Youth Likely To Face Greater Health Issues

Anti-smoking campaigns have had success reducing smoking, and since the 1990s smoking among youth has also declined. However, public health messages about exercise and healthy eating don't seem to be having an effect yet. Kids are developing adult diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

U.S. Youth Likely To Face Greater Health Issues

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For Some, Lasik Brings More Problems Than Solutions
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Your Health

For Some, Lasik Brings More Problems Than Solutions

An increasing number of patients say they have experienced significant complications after Lasik. Problems like dry eye, glare and double vision have impaired their ability to function and significantly affected their quality of life. The FDA has decided to investigate further and hopes to identify what puts people at risk for complications.

For Some, Lasik Brings More Problems Than Solutions

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Your Health

Health Experts Call For Heart Checkups For Kids

In growing numbers, health experts are recommending screening for heart disease in children, especially those who play sports. One in 100,000 people ages 12 to 24 are estimated to die suddenly as a result of congenital undiagnosed heart malfunctions. And children who play sports are nearly three times more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death than their nonathletic counterparts.

Health Experts Call For Heart Checkups For Kids

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Health

Report: Cancer Deaths Declining Since 1990s

A report by the American Cancer Society says cancer deaths overall in the United States have been dropping since the 1990s. Researchers say that the decades-long effort to improve diets and reduce bad habits, like smoking, have begun to pay off.

Report: Cancer Deaths Declining Since 1990s

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Health

To Help Healing, Doctors Pay More Attention To Pain

Pain might seem like something doctors deal with all the time, but it's actually difficult for doctors to measure and can be hard to treat. Controlling pain early on can decrease a patient's risk of developing chronic pain later.

To Help Healing, Doctors Pay More Attention To Pain

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Study Clears Most Antibiotic Use In Pregnant Women
Katie Collins/PA Wire via AP

Your Health

Study Clears Most Antibiotic Use In Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to infections and are at higher risk of complications if they get sick. So, treating infections is critical. A new study finds that while most common antibiotics are safe, two types raise red flags.

Study Clears Most Antibiotic Use In Pregnant Women

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Children's Health

Report: Students Need More Veggies, Fewer Calories

The Institute of Medicine, which advises Congress, has announced recommendations to make lunches and breakfasts provided by schools more nutritious. Sixty percent of U.S. schoolchildren participate in the school lunch program. The proposed guidelines include limits on salt, fat and calories.

Report: Students Need More Veggies, Fewer Calories

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Models With Psoriasis Strut To Raise Awareness

Isabel Estevez poses with Tim Gunn, host of television's Project Runway, at the Addressing Psoriasis Fashion Show. Lost Artist Studios hide caption

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Lost Artist Studios

Health

Models With Psoriasis Strut To Raise Awareness

With the help of Project Runway's Tim Gunn, psoriasis patients hit the catwalk to demystify this often-misunderstood skin disorder. Not only is the disease painful, it can be embarrassing, causing people to hide their skin and even isolate themselves.

Models With Psoriasis Strut To Raise Awareness

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Your Health

Snoring Can Indicate Treatable Sleep Condition

Loud snoring is not always just a reason to buy ear plugs. For an estimated 12 million American adults, those nocturnal noises are a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a treatable condition.

Snoring Can Indicate Treatable Sleep Condition

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Your Health

Stress, Anxiety May Keep Women Smoking

Women may have a harder time kicking their smoking habit than men do. Researchers say women are more likely to get stressed and reach for a cigarette when trying to quit, meaning it takes them more tries to stop for good.

Stress, Anxiety May Keep Women Smoking

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