Tag: public health
Recent studies show early exposure to everyday chemicals may have negative health impacts
The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that the chemical perchloroethylene is a likely human carcinogen. Perchloroethylene, also known as PERC, is familiar to many of us as the smell associated with dry cleaning. In a report released February 10th, the EPA lowered its safe daily dose of perc and efforts have begun to phase the cancer-causing solvent out of the market....
FDA panel recommends approval of anti-obesity drug
An advisory panel of outside physicians for the FDA recommended approval of the weight-loss drug Qnexa, which was previously rejected in 2010. Pending approval, Qnexa could be the most effective non-surgery treatment for obese people. The FDA will make a final decision later this year....
'Safety net' not strong enough to support America's growing homeless population
The impact of the subprime mortgage crisis and economic strain across the country has drastically increased the number of Americans living in poverty. According to the latest census data, 47 million Americans are now living below the poverty line....
Poll finds vast majority of Massachusetts residents like Romneycare
New polling suggests that Mitt Romney's healthcare reform law in Massachusetts, which President Barack Obama has held up as a model for his plan, is supported by an overwhelming margin by Massachusetts residents — supports its held basically since it was introduced....
Atlanta ad campaign uses obese kids to try and shock parents
The ads use kids who are overweight describing the problems they face in an effort to get parents to realize their children are overweight. The ads, which were designed in consultation with a local hospital, have caused critics to label them as just another example of fat-shaming....
Paula Deen says she has diabetes, will endorse pharmaceutical company
Paula Deen, the celebrity chef known for her love of butter, has announced she has diabetes. Instead of using it as a reason to lighten her cooking, she's becoming a paid spokeswoman for a pharmaceutical company....
FDA makes confusing, conflicting statements on antibiotic use in farm animals
Late last year, the FDA said it would no longer seek to formally regulate the use of the most common antibiotics in farm animals. A month later, though, the FDA said it would regulate the use of cephalosporins, which represent less than 1 percent of the antibiotics used on farms....
Facebook's suicide prevention efforts draw mixed review
In December, Facebook rolled out new tools it said should help with suicide prevention. One psychiatrist, however, while lauding the effort, says the initiative needs some tweaks....
Battle to stem childhood obesity expected to be a focus of 2012
New research shows that kids who eat school lunches are more likely to be obese than kids who bring lunch from home. The battle to cut back childhood obesity is expected to be of increasing importance in the next few years....
VIDEO: Rare cancer linked to breast implant in thousands of women
The French company PIP is accused of using industrial grade silicone, rather than medical grade material, in its breast implants, and now the implants have been linked to a rare form of cancer....
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