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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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Patti Neighmond

Health Care

For Elderly, Mediterranean Diet Adds Up

A new study shows that elderly people who stick to a Mediterranean diet, exercise at least 30 minutes a day, and have moderate alcohol use can cut their risk of dying in half. The diet is rich in plant foods and fish, low in meat and dairy and has a high ratio of monounsaturated fats to polyunsaturated fats. Approximately 1,500 people were studied in the Netherlands over a 12-year period. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

For Elderly, Mediterranean Diet Adds Up

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Food

Ruby Tuesday's: An Experiment in Eating Out Smart

Congress and many states are trying to require restaurant chains to post nutritional information on their menus in an effort to combat obesity. The restaurant industry opposes such mandates, arguing that the market will naturally respond to consumer demand. The popular restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday's already has. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Ruby Tuesday's: An Experiment in Eating Out Smart

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Food

Obesity Often Linked to Income

Americans spend a good deal of money eating out, a habit tied to the nation's obesity epidemic. Researchers say the less people can pay for food, the more calories they consume. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports in the first of a two-part series.

Obesity Often Linked to Income

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National

Hospitals Balk at Tying Funds to Immigrant Status

A new federal rule meant to help hospitals pay for undocumented immigrants links the money to hospitals' finding out whether patients are U.S. citizens or not. Hospitals in areas with large immigrant populations say asking about legal status will keep people from seeking needed medical care. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Hospitals Balk at Tying Funds to Immigrant Status

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Health Care

Medical Schools Lag in Obesity Training

Many doctors do not discuss weight problems with obese patients, regardless of how overweight they are. Part of the reason is that most doctors have not been trained to treat obesity. At the Duke University Medical Center, the school has created the first ever obesity curriculum for medical students. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Medical Schools Lag in Obesity Training

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Health

Heart Warning on Misuse of Antioxidants

The American Heart Association issues an advisory that taking antioxidant supplements has no preventive effect on heart disease and may be harmful in some cases. The association advises that people instead get the antioxidants they need from whole foods. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Heart Warning on Misuse of Antioxidants

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Children's Health

Cholesterol Drugs May Work for Children

Children with a genetic predisposition for high cholesterol can benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs that have been successful with adults, says a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Cholesterol Drugs May Work for Children

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Health Care

Mid-Size U.S. Firms Stung by Rising Health Care Costs

The rising cost of health-care benefits is squeezing U.S. businesses, especially mid-sized companies whose employees seem to be paying more -- and getting less. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Mid-Size U.S. Firms Stung by Rising Health Care Costs

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Science

New Rules Aim to Reduce Surgical Errors

New rules go into effect Thursday designed to reduce errors in surgery. The rules were developed following sensational mistakes -- where patients had the wrong leg amputated and the wrong kidney removed. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

New Rules Aim to Reduce Surgical Errors

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Health Care

Millions of Women Given Unnecessary Pap Smears

A new study shows that women are unnecessarily undergoing millions of Pap tests for cervical cancer each year. Even though a public health alert was issued 10 years ago recommending against Pap tests in women who've already had their cervix removed, nearly two-thirds of women who've had a hysterectomy continue to get Pap tests. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Millions of Women Given Unnecessary Pap Smears

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Health Care

Study: Liposuction No Substitute for Healthly Living

Liposuction may help people get rid of fat quickly, but a new study finds the procedure doesn't confer the same health benefits as losing weight through diet and exercise. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Study: Liposuction No Substitute for Healthly Living

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Health

Doctor Seeks Waiver from Treating Malpractice Lawyers

A South Carolina doctor is asking the American Medical Association to approve as ethical a policy that would permit doctors to refuse treating medical malpractice lawyers. The proposal demonstrates how heated the debate over medical malpractice has become. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Doctor Seeks Waiver from Treating Malpractice Lawyers

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Science

WHO, Food Industry at Odds on Obesity

The World Health Organization is targeting sugary, fatty, salty and processed foods as the culprits behind the global obesity epidemic. The food and beverage industry is on the defense. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

WHO, Food Industry at Odds on Obesity

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Science

Drug Scams Abound on the Internet

The illegal sale of narcotics and other prescription drugs over the Internet is a growing problem that federal officials are struggling to cope with, according to law enforcement officials. Traffic is rapidly increasing, and there are many cases of fraud and dangerous fluctuations in potency. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Drug Scams Abound on the Internet

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Virus Outbreak Subsiding in Vegas Hotel

The number of new cases of the norovirus among visitors to a Las Vegas hotel is declining. The gastrointestinal illness has affected thousands of people in this outbreak. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Virus Outbreak Subsiding in Vegas Hotel

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