Reuters: Health News

More than 1,000 deaths in past week from H1N1: WHO

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:05:02 -0500

GENEVA (Reuters) - More than 1,000 deaths from the H1N1 swine flu virus were officially reported in the past week, a sharp rise which brings the global total to at least 7,826, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

U.S. diabetes cases to double, costs triple by 2034

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:27:14 -0500

CHICAGO (Reuters) - By 2034, nearly twice as many Americans will have diabetes and spending on the disease will triple, further straining the U.S. health system and testing the viability of Medicare and other government health insurance programs, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

China AIDS sufferers face widespread discrimination: U.N.

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:42:56 -0500

BEIJING (Reuters) - People in China living with HIV and AIDS face widespread discrimination and stigma, with even medical workers sometimes refusing to touch them, according to a U.N. survey released on Friday.

Many pregnant women take drugs harmful to baby

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:13 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - With the help of their doctors, women planning to become pregnant should take an inventory of the medications they take, researchers from Canada advise.

Detergent exposure hard on workers' lungs: studies

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:18:13 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who work in detergent factories are at increased risk of developing respiratory problems, including asthma, probably from exposure to chemicals contained in detergent, two new studies hint.

Dementia big threat for elderly in poorer nations

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:30:22 -0500

* Dementia threat growing in low and middle income nations

Kids should get moving to avoid obesity

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:22:35 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Vigorous exercise may be an especially good way to keep kids lean, but sitting around, in and of itself, doesn't appear to have a major role in making them fat, new research shows.

Women who smoke risk having seizures: study

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:54:40 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who smoke may have a higher risk of developing seizures than non-smokers do, a new study suggests.

Cost concerns unlikely to sink U.S. health overhaul

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:01:36 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. debt that is topping $12 trillion is raising fresh questions about the cost of President Barack Obama's proposed healthcare overhaul, but those concerns are unlikely to sink the legislation.

Timely and continuous HIV care extends survival

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:28:08 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, high-risk behavior, HIV infection itself, as well as late initiation and early discontinuation of anti-HIV therapy all contribute to substantial decreases in life expectancy, United States researchers report.