WTOC - Health

First lady begins fight against childhood obesity

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 11:38:00 EST

First lady Michelle Obama launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to fight childhood obesity, part of her effort to teach America's children about better nutrition and exercise.

Clinton-era health aides push to save Obama's plan

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:38:00 EST

Shock and awe. That's what survivors of the Clinton-era health care collapse are feeling as President Barack Obama's overhaul legislation wobbles in Congress.

Farm to School program changes kids' views on food

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:38:00 EST

The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied...

Obama's words fail to bridge health care divide

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 17:58:00 EST

President Barack Obama exhorted Democrats to "finish the job" on a health care overhaul Wednesday, but his comments failed to bridge deep divisions within his party.

Experiment takes aim at genetic learning disorder

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 07:21:00 EST

A pill to ease a type of mental retardation? An experiment is under way to develop one, aimed at a genetic disorder that might unravel some of the mysteries of autism along the way.

Healthy baby campaign uses texts to reach mothers

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:01:00 EST

Expectant mothers are getting a new tool to help keep themselves and their babies healthy: pregnancy tips sent directly to their cell phones.

Lawmakers review structure of state health agency

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:55:00 EDT

Associated Press - October 14, 2009 6:55 AM ET COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina lawmakers plan to review the structure of the state agency that handles both health and environmental...

China finds 170 more tons of tainted milk powder

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:38:00 EST

The discovery has punched a 170-ton hole in China's promises to overhaul its food safety system. Officials say they've found yet another case where large amounts of tainted milk powder from the country's 2008 scandal that...

Autism risks detailed in children of older mothers

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:38:00 EST

By LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer A woman's chance of having a child with autism increase substantially as she ages, but the risk may be less for older dads than previously suggested, a new study analyzing more...

Bad malaria pills in Africa raise resistance fears

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:38:00 EST

By MARGIE MASON AP Medical Writer High rates of the most effective type of malaria-fighting drugs sold in three African countries are poor quality - including nearly half the pills sampled in Senegal - raising...

Ethics debate over blood from newborn safety tests

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 08:26:00 EST

A critical safety net for babies - that heelprick of blood taken from every newborn - is facing an ethics attack.

UK's Brown vows more cancer care as race heats up

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 15:16:00 EST

You know an election is coming when British politicians suddenly promise sweeping improvements to the National Health Service, a simultaneous source of national pride and worry.

Firm to pay $200K after importing lead-laden toys

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:18:00 EST

A Massachusetts company has agreed to pay a $200,000 penalty to settle allegations it violated U.S. law when it imported Thomas and Friends, Curious George and Winnie the Pooh toys with high levels of lead.

FDA concerned dissolvable tobacco appeals to kids

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:58:00 EST

The Food and Drug Administration is saying in letters to two tobacco companies that flavored, dissolvable tobacco products - that the agency compares with candy and says contain a lot of nicotine - could be particularly...

Healthy baby campaign uses texts to reach mothers

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:58:00 EST

Expectant mothers are getting a new tool to help keep themselves and their babies healthy: pregnancy tips sent directly to their cell phones.

Gov't moving into central role in health care

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:58:00 EST

Government is poised to become king of the hill in America's vast health care system, with or without President Barack Obama's planned redo, according an economic report released Thursday.

Is the US swine flu epidemic over?

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:18:00 EST

If the U.S. swine flu epidemic isn't over, it certainly looks as if it's on its last legs.

H1N1 vaccine recalled because of potency

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:57:00 EST

Some doeses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer because of a slight decrease in potency.,

DHEC opens H1N1 clinics

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 17:57:00 EST

DHEC is taking extra measures to help everyone in the Palmetto State get vaccinated against H1N1 by starting up mass clinics at several locations throughout the Lowcountry.

H1N1 vaccine made available to all groups

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 10:24:00 EST

The Coastal Health District will now be offering the H1N1 vaccine to anyone 6-months-old and older.

Hotline created for H1N1 information

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:56:00 EST

Residents in the Coastal Health Distict can now get information on the H1N1 flu 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1.888.497.8444.

H1N1 kits: are they worth the price?

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:51:00 EST

With just a few strokes of the keyboard and a couple clicks of the mouse, you can find countless products said to prevent the spread of Swine Flu.

New rules for St. Joseph's/Candler and Memorial Health

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:05:00 EST

St. Joseph's/Candler and Memorial Health have new rules regarding hospital visitors for due to the season and H1N1 flu.

Frequently asked questions about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:43:00 EST

As you are preparing to protect yourself and your family from the 2009 H1N1 flu, you may have questions about the safety of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines. Here are some frequently asked questions to help inform you about the H1N1 flu vaccine.

What you should know about your PPO

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:46:00 EDT

About a third of all PPO members eventually run into a problem. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.

Over 45 million Americans now lack health insurance

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:01:00 EST

In the first six months of this year, 45.4 million Americans of all ages -- or 15.1 percent of the population -- had no health insurance, according to new National Health Interview Survey statistics released Wednesday.

Medicare Part D: What to expect this open enrollment period

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:56:00 EST

Seniors enrolled in private, standalone Medicare prescription drugs plans (PDP) could encounter significant changes this open enrollment period, began Sunday, November 15.

Insured kids with uninsured parents miss needed health care

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EDT

Children with health insurance coverage are more likely to miss necessary health-care services if their parents are uninsured, new research shows.

Expanding health coverage may not improve access

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 09:10:00 EDT

Even if Congress extends health coverage to the nation's 46 million uninsured Americans, there's no guarantee that everyone will have access to care -- unless payment reforms and new models of care are adopted, some experts say.

With Medicare plan, drug spending may be up

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:41:00 EDT

Older people who signed up for Medicare's prescription drug coverage, called Part D, spent more on drugs after enrolling than they had before but less on other types of medical care, researchers have found.

The nuts and bolts of reform proposals

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:41:00 EDT

U.S. legislators continue to debate the details of what many hope will be the blueprint for a transformation of the nation's health-care system. While no fully formed proposals have emerged so far, here are some key elements.

Health-care reform could be Obama's toughest challenge

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:41:00 EDT

President Barack Obama's efforts to reform health care in the United States could prove to be the toughest challenge of his already-ambitious young presidency.

Data overload may complicate insurance choices

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 11:13:00 EDT

The wide array of available Medicare drug-coverage plans increases the risk that senior citizens will make poor choices and needlessly spend hundreds of dollars a year, warns a new study.

Medical bills driving most middle-class bankruptcies

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 09:41:00 EDT

In 2007, medical problems and expenses contributed to nearly two-thirds of all bankruptcies in the United States, a jump of nearly 50 percent from 2001, new research has found.

'Third-hand smoke' could be troublesome, too

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:03:00 EST

Tobacco smoke residue found on indoor surfaces -- so-called "third-hand smoke" -- can interact with airborne compounds to form new, potentially cancer-causing substances, research suggests.

Health tip: what's behind nasal congestion

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

Nasal congestion, commonly called a stuffy nose, occurs when the tissues that line the inside of the nose become swollen.

Drug cures osteoporosis in mice

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

An experimental drug that inhibits serotonin in the gut cured osteoporosis in lab mice and rats, a new study has found.

Scientists spot genes tied to aging

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

Scientists have discovered genetic variants that are associated with biological aging, a finding that could explain why some people seem to age faster than others.

With C-section, stitches may be best

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:54:00 EST

Women who've had a cesarean delivery are less likely to suffer complications if their wound is closed using sutures rather than staples, says a U.S. study.

Health highlights: Feb. 4, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:53:00 EST

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Clinical trials update: Feb. 4, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:53:00 EST

Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Health highlights: Feb. 3, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:53:00 EST

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Clinical trials update: Feb. 3, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:51:00 EST

Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Natural delivery OK in cases of intrauterine growth restriction

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:51:00 EST

Waiting for natural birth is as effective as inducing labor in pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a new study shows.