Reuters: Health News

Bayer says Alzheimer test shown to work in study

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:21:20 -0400

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Bayer's Alzheimer's disease (AD) marker florbetaben was shown to help detect the illness in eight out of 10 cases in a Phase II study, possibly offering a way to diagnose early onset.

Obesity emerges as risk factor in severe flu

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:36:17 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - People who are obese but otherwise healthy may be at special risk of severe complications and death from the new H1N1 swine flu virus, U.S. researchers reported on Friday.

Lawmakers reject tax to pay for health reform

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:55:15 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Sunday criticized a plan to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for a $1 trillion healthcare overhaul and warned Congress was unlikely to meet President Barack Obama's goal of passing the measure by August.

Omega-3 no match for Alzheimer's, study finds

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:03:02 -0400

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Omega-3 fatty acid supplements did nothing to slow memory declines in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, but a study in healthy people with slight memory complaints did show promise, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.

Everyday Americans argue for public healthcare option

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:20:18 -0400

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Kathy Cook's health insurance premiums of $740 a month are nearly as costly as her mortgage. William McEachen struggles to help his disabled adult daughter get the care and medicines she needs. Business owner Don Phipps is outraged at rapidly rising insurance premiums for himself and his employees.

Number of U.S. preterm, low birth weight babies down

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:16:06 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The encouraging news: After several decades of steady increases, the percentages of infants born preterm and the percentage born with low birth weight declined slightly in 2007 in the US, according to a report released today.

Sanofi recalls three cough mixtures in France

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:34:41 -0400

PARIS (Reuters) - Sanofi Aventis has recalled three cough mixtures for babies and children in France after traces of a toxic substance were discovered in a bottle, the French health authority said on its website on Saturday.

WHO likely to give H1N1 jab guidance on Monday

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:12:56 -0400

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) will probably hold a media briefing on Monday to issue guidance about the need for a H1N1 influenza jab, a WHO spokeswoman said on Friday.

Sleep disorder linked to behavior woes in some kids

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:27:24 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with behavior problems in children with asthma, researchers have found.

Cases of celiac disease up dramatically: report

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:09:50 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In the United States, celiac disease is four times more common now than it was in the 1950's, according to a study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.