Reuters: Health News

Poor nutrition stunts growth of 200 million children: U.N.

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:11:24 -0500

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Nearly 200 million children in developing countries suffer from stunted growth and health problems due to poor nutrition in their early years, the U.N. children's foundation UNICEF said on Wednesday.

Tainted food surprisingly deadly in adults: WHO

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:19:01 -0500

GENEVA (Reuters) - Millions of adults die every year from bugs and toxins in what they eat, according to new World Health Organization data that shows food-borne diseases are far more deadly than the U.N. agency previously estimated.

Report shows Pfizer's hand in Neurontin studies

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:19:25 -0500

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A study of internal company documents suggests Pfizer Inc altered or omitted unfavorable study findings to expand its epilepsy drug Neurontin's market, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday, offering a look at how drugmakers influence scientific research.

Bill Clinton rallies Senate Democrats on healthcare

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:08:18 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Bill Clinton visited the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to urge Senate Democrats to quickly pass a broad healthcare overhaul, but a party leader said final action could spill into next year.

Flow of H1N1 vaccines picking up in U.S., CDC says

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:28:44 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The flow of swine flu vaccines to the U.S. market is picking up, health and corporate officials said on Tuesday, and now the challenge will be to get the drugs to people.

Experts fear Africa "pandemic" from rise in smoking

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:29:00 -0500

LONDON (Reuters) - Africa faces a surge in cancer deaths unless action is taken in the next decade to stem rising smoking levels in a continent where anti-tobacco laws remain rare, U.S. scientists said Wednesday.

Lack of health care worsens women's life quality: WHO

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:44:45 -0500

GENEVA (Reuters) - Despite living six to eight years longer than men, women lack essential health care throughout their lives, particularly as teenagers and elderly people, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

Those in true emergency hardest hit by ER crisis

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:17:36 -0500

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The state of US emergency departments has been called a "growing national crisis," and a report out today shows the situation is only getting worse.

Senators debate requiring sick leave for flu

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:27:39 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When Desiree Rosado's daughter got the flu last month, she took a week off without pay; just an hour after finally returning to work Rosado had to leave again to take her feverish son home.