The Checkup Archive: Health Policy

Sneezes spread paranoia

During these days of swine flu fears, common sneezes and coughs are spreading more than just colds and the flu. They're spreading paranoia, according to new research. University of Michigan psychologist Spike Lee and colleagues decided to test whether people's fears of sneezes and coughs spilled over into other areas....

Mail-Order Pharmacy Woes

Even as more and more of us are forced by our health-insurance plans to fill prescriptions through the mail, a new survey finds many consumers have gone without medications because of delays. And that's not the only problem the survey turned up. The Alexandria-based National Community Pharmacists' Association (NCPA) --...

Beware the CT Scan?

There's more evidence out today that CT scans and other medical procedures that expose patients to radiation may be putting many Americans at risk. While CT scans and other procedures are very useful for accurately diagnosing a variety of medical conditions, a growing body of evidence has been raising concerns...

Alternative Medicine Spending Soars

The amount of money that Americans are shelling out for herbal supplements, meditation, acupuncture and other forms of "alternative" medical care is continuing to skyrocket, according to a new government data out today. Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on "complementary and alternative" or CAM therapies in 2007, according to the...

How Much Does Obesity Cost?

Here, from the Weight of the Nation conference underway today in D.C., is new fodder for the debate as to whether being obese really compromises one's health: A study published online today estimates the cost of treating obesity-related ailments in 2008 at $147 billion. The study, which compared medical costs...

CDC: Childhood Obesity Epidemic Slowing

The epidemic of obesity among American children appears to be slowing, federal health officials are reporting today. An analysis of data collected nationally about low-income preschool-aged children ages two to four years old found the prevalence of obesity increased from 12.4 percent in 1998 to 14.5 percent in 2003, but...

Older Entries in This Category »

Should the Surgeon General be Slender?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 22, 2009

Why Are Teen Births Rising?, Rob Stein , June 18, 2009

Behind Bars, Eating Less, Jennifer LaRue Huget , June 8, 2009

Sour Economy Hits Health, Rob Stein , May 21, 2009

The FDA, Making the World Safe -- From Cheerios, Jennifer LaRue Huget , May 13, 2009

Keeping One Eye on Food-Borne Illness, Jennifer LaRue Huget , April 29, 2009

MS and Paralysis Numbers Don't Add Up, Jennifer LaRue Huget , April 22, 2009

Let's Talk Health-Care Reform, Jennifer LaRue Huget , April 17, 2009

Soda Tax, Food Policy and Politics, Jennifer LaRue Huget , April 10, 2009

A New Wind A-Blowin' for Medical Marijuana?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , March 20, 2009

The Job of Surgeon General, Jennifer LaRue Huget , January 9, 2009

Elizabeth Edwards on Health Policy, Nancy Szokan , October 29, 2008

Uh, What Health-Care Plans?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , October 3, 2008