http://www.mail.com/subjects/1404-public-health.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/1404-public-health.html http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2158630-report-us-adult-smoking-rate-dips-to-18-percent.html ATLANTA (AP) — Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers. The nation's smoking rate generally has been falling for decades, but had seemed to stall at around 20 to 21 percent for about seven years. In 2011, the rate fe... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:56:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2158630-report-us-adult-smoking-rate-dips-to-18-percent.html 2013-06-18T08:56:20Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2158866-deadly-year-encephalitis-feared-india.html GORAKHPUR, India (AP) — A mosquito-borne disease that preys on the young and malnourished is sweeping across poverty-riven northern India again this monsoon season, with officials worried it could be the deadliest outbreak in nearly a decade. Encephalitis has already killed at least 118 children this year, and authorities fear the death toll could reach a... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:19:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2158866-deadly-year-encephalitis-feared-india.html 2013-06-18T08:19:18Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2158724-ukraine-kids-risk-low-vaccination-rates.html KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — When the time came to vaccinate her 4-year-old daughter, Yelena Hlushko hesitated, spooked by widespread fears in Ukraine about vaccines and by a boil her older child developed after an immunization shot. Eventually she decided to follow the government's recommendation — only to find her local health clinic was out of the vaccine. A c... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:00:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2158724-ukraine-kids-risk-low-vaccination-rates.html 2013-06-18T07:00:21Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2156548-saudi-arabia-4-deaths-sars-like-virus.html RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia says four more people have died from a new respiratory virus related to SARS, bringing the total number of deaths to 32 in the kingdom at the center of the growing crisis. Overall, nearly 40 people have died from the virus since September, mostly in Europe and the Middle East. That's according to local officials an... Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:36:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2156548-saudi-arabia-4-deaths-sars-like-virus.html 2013-06-17T08:36:51Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2154978-gunmen-pakistan-kill-2-anti-polio-workers.html PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Gunmen killed two anti-polio workers Sunday in northwest Pakistan, police said, the latest violence directed at efforts to eradicate the disease from the country. The two attackers shot the two Pakistani health workers while they were on a vaccination drive in rural Kandar village, said Swabi District Police Chief Mohammad Saeed.... Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:15:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2154978-gunmen-pakistan-kill-2-anti-polio-workers.html 2013-06-16T16:15:37Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2147442-hiv-drug-protect-injection-drug-users.html ATLANTA (AP) — Doctors should consider giving a daily AIDS drug to another high risk group to help prevent infections — people who shoot heroin, methamphetamines or other injection drugs, U.S. health officials said Wednesday. A similar recommendation is already in place for gay men and heterosexual couples at high risk of catching HIV, the virus that caus... Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:59:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2147442-hiv-drug-protect-injection-drug-users.html 2013-06-12T20:59:56Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2144440-hepatitis-linked-to-frozen-berries-sickens-87.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco has grown to 87 people with illnesses in eight states. The CDC said Tuesday that illnesses have been reported in Arizona, California Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. Townsend Farms of Fairvi... Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:20:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2144440-hepatitis-linked-to-frozen-berries-sickens-87.html 2013-06-12T01:20:57Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2137890-oregon-senate-passes-bill-vaccination-education.html SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A bill that is intended to persuade more Oregon parents to take their kids to doctors for shots and get over their mistrust of conventional medicine has taken a big step in the Legislature with passage by the state Senate. Oregon has the nation's highest rate of parents refusing vaccinations for their kindergartners for nonmedical reaso... Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:18:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2137890-oregon-senate-passes-bill-vaccination-education.html 2013-06-07T22:18:41Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2137784-fda-finds-fungus-drugs-tennessee-pharmacy.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials say they have found bacteria and fungus in drug vials from a Tennessee specialty pharmacy that recalled all of its injectable medicines last month. The Food and Drug Administration said in an online posting Friday that it identified the growths in two unopened vials of a steroid injection distributed by the Main ... Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:30:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2137784-fda-finds-fungus-drugs-tennessee-pharmacy.html 2013-06-07T21:30:49Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2136922-south-africa-toilet-talk-turns-political.html JOHANNESBURG (AP) — It takes mudslinging to another level. This week, protesters tossed human excrement at a convoy carrying the leader of South Africa's main opposition party, who seeks to court followers of the ruling African National Congress ahead of national elections next year. Tuesday's unsavory salvo did not directly hit Helen ... Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:45:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2136922-south-africa-toilet-talk-turns-political.html 2013-06-07T16:45:49Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2133324-berries-blamed-california-mans-hepatitis.html ENCINITAS, Calif. (AP) — Geoff Soza was celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary in Yellowstone National Park when the 64-year-old man learned the hard way that his seemingly healthy breakfast habit of mixing thawed berries with Greek yogurt had exposed him to a national outbreak of hepatitis A. Dozens of illnesses have been reported, and federal official... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:58:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2133324-berries-blamed-california-mans-hepatitis.html 2013-06-06T22:58:15Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2134262-govt-proposes-safety-labels-tenderized-beef.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Beef tenderized by machines before it is sold in grocery stores could soon carry labels warning customers to cook the meat thoroughly. The Agriculture Department on Thursday proposed to require the new package labels and cooking instructions on the meat, which is poked with needles or blades to increase tenderness. That process can trans... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:16:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2134262-govt-proposes-safety-labels-tenderized-beef.html 2013-06-06T20:16:32Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2128198-frozen-berry-mix-linked-to-hepatitis-recalled.html WASHINGTON (AP) — An Oregon company is recalling a frozen berry mix sold to Costco and Harris Teeter stores after the product has been linked to at least 49 hepatitis A illnesses in seven states. The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that Townsend Farms of Fairview, Ore., is recalling its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, packaged under the Townse... Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:49:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2128198-frozen-berry-mix-linked-to-hepatitis-recalled.html 2013-06-04T22:49:35Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2125898-jersey-sen-lautenberg-dead-89.html TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The next time a flight attendant reminds you there's no smoking or you witness a teenager getting carded at a liquor store, think of Frank Lautenberg. The liberal Democratic senator from New Jersey left his mark on the everyday lives of millions of Americans, whether they know it or not. In the 1980s, he was a driving force behind the... Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:33:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2125898-jersey-sen-lautenberg-dead-89.html 2013-06-03T23:33:34Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2124250-saudi-arabia-3-die-virus.html RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia has reported that three more people have died from a new respiratory virus related to SARS, bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 24. The Ministry of Health said Sunday the three deceased were among 38 infected in the kingdom with the respiratory virus called MERS. It says two of the three whose dea... Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:56:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2124250-saudi-arabia-3-die-virus.html 2013-06-02T12:56:05Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2123316-somalia-parents-to-polio-vaccine.html MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Islamic extremist rebels are fighting a campaign in Somalia to administer a polio vaccine, charging that it contains the virus that causes AIDS or could make children sterile, a battle of words that is frustrating health workers. Al-Shabab, the rebels linked to al-Qaida, have discouraged many parents from getting their children i... Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:38:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2123316-somalia-parents-to-polio-vaccine.html 2013-06-01T15:38:08Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2122408-hepatitis-outbreak-linked-to-ore-berry-farm.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen organic berry mix sold by an Oregon company. The FDA and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that 30 illnesses are linked to Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend, which contains pomegranate seed mix. Illness... Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:38:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2122408-hepatitis-outbreak-linked-to-ore-berry-farm.html 2013-06-01T01:38:57Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2122076-ny-cancer-society-sweet-smokes-aimed-kids.html ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — They come in brightly colored, shiny packages in fun flavors like chocolate, blueberry, gummy bear, wine and pink berry. But the American Cancer Society says the little cigars and packages of loose tobacco are aimed at kids and are just as deadly as cigarettes. The American Cancer Society is pushing to make New York the first state to ... Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:07:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2122076-ny-cancer-society-sweet-smokes-aimed-kids.html 2013-06-01T01:07:21Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2121756-republic-congo-passes-anti-smoking-law.html BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (AP) — A Republic of Congo official says the country is announcing a new law that limits the sale and consumption of tobacco. Minister of Health Francois Ibovi said Friday the law prohibits the consumption, purchase and possession of tobacco for minors, pregnant women and the mentally ill, with fines for those selling to tha... Fri, 31 May 2013 17:55:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2121756-republic-congo-passes-anti-smoking-law.html 2013-05-31T17:55:11Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2119204-astronauts-face-radiation-threat-long-mars-trip.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Astronauts traveling to and from Mars would be bombarded with as much radiation as they'd get from a full-body CT scan about once a week for a year, researchers reported Thursday. That dose would, in some cases, exceed NASA's standards and is enough to raise an astronaut's cancer risk by 3 percent. As plans for deep space exploration ra... Thu, 30 May 2013 20:47:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2119204-astronauts-face-radiation-threat-long-mars-trip.html 2013-05-30T20:47:49Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2117318-decontaminating-patients-cuts-hospital-infections.html CHICAGO (AP) — Infections in U.S. hospitals kill tens of thousands of people each year, and many institutions fight back by screening new patients to see if they carry a dangerous germ, and isolating those who do. But a big study suggests a far more effective approach: Decontaminating every patient in intensive care. Washing everyone with antiseptic wipes... Wed, 29 May 2013 21:56:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2117318-decontaminating-patients-cuts-hospital-infections.html 2013-05-29T21:56:26Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2113866-french-man-dies-sars-related-respiratory-virus.html PARIS (AP) — A French patient infected with a deadly new respiratory virus related to SARS died Tuesday of the disease, which has killed half the people known to be infected and alarmed global health officials. The novel coronavirus is related to SARS, which killed some 800 people in a global epidemic in 2003. Dr. Margaret Chan, head of the World Health O... Tue, 28 May 2013 19:55:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2113866-french-man-dies-sars-related-respiratory-virus.html 2013-05-28T19:55:54Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2113516-pakistan-polio-vaccination-suspended-killing.html PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani authorities suspended a four-day polio vaccination program Tuesday after gunmen shot dead a female polio worker and wounded another, officials said, in a blow to the U.N.-backed campaign aimed at eradicating the crippling disease from this violence-torn country. Such attacks have made it harder for Pakistan to join the ... Tue, 28 May 2013 18:29:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2113516-pakistan-polio-vaccination-suspended-killing.html 2013-05-28T18:29:06Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2113320-japan-vows-to-tighten-nuke-safety-accident.html TOKYO (AP) — Japan pledged better safety practices for its troubled nuclear industry Tuesday after an accident at a government research facility that exposed 33 people to minor excess radiation and had not been immediately disclosed. Education Minister Hakubun Shimomura, whose agency oversees research at the facility in Tokaimura, north of Tokyo, said the... Tue, 28 May 2013 09:15:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2113320-japan-vows-to-tighten-nuke-safety-accident.html 2013-05-28T09:15:48Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2105258-report-nations-kids-to-physical.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Reading, writing, arithmetic — and PE? The prestigious Institute of Medicine is recommending that schools provide opportunities for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for students and that PE become a core subject. The report, released Thursday, says only about half of the nation's youngsters are getting at least an hour o... Thu, 23 May 2013 15:20:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2105258-report-nations-kids-to-physical.html 2013-05-23T15:20:09Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2104768-stricken-japan-nuke-plant-struggles-to-staff.html TOKYO (AP) — Keeping the meltdown-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in northeastern Japan in stable condition requires a cast of thousands. Increasingly the plant's operator is struggling to find enough workers, a trend that many expect to worsen and hamper progress in the decades-long effort to safely decommission it. Tokyo Electric Power Co., the utility... Thu, 23 May 2013 09:54:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2104768-stricken-japan-nuke-plant-struggles-to-staff.html 2013-05-23T09:54:32Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102282-house-panel-moves-to-curb-military-sexual-assaults.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of a House panel angry over the growing epidemic of sexual assaults in the military took a key step toward tackling the problem by passing legislation Wednesday that would strip commanding officers of their longstanding authority to unilaterally change or dismiss court-martial convictions in rape and assault cases. Lawmakers believe the revision wil... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:06:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102282-house-panel-moves-to-curb-military-sexual-assaults.html 2013-05-22T21:06:51Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2101676-portland-ore-rejecting-water-fluoridation.html PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of Portland, Ore., has conceded defeat in an effort to add fluoride to the city's drinking water. With more than 80 percent of the expected ballots counted late Tuesday night, the Multnomah County election website showed the fluoride proposal failing, 60 percent to 40 percent. Mayor Charlie Hales supported fluoridation and ... Wed, 22 May 2013 06:58:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2101676-portland-ore-rejecting-water-fluoridation.html 2013-05-22T06:58:47Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2099360-report-nps-hantavirus-response-policy.html YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Federal investigators probing the hantavirus outbreak blamed for three deaths at Yosemite National Park recommended on Monday that design changes to tent cabins and other privately run lodging first be reviewed by National Park Service officials. The report released by the Interior Department's Office of Inspector Gen... Tue, 21 May 2013 04:11:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2099360-report-nps-hantavirus-response-policy.html 2013-05-21T04:11:36Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2097518-measles-surges-uk-years-flawed.html LONDON (AP) — More than a decade ago, British parents refused to give measles shots to at least a million children because of now discredited research that linked the vaccine to autism. Now, health officials are scrambling to catch up and stop a growing epidemic of the contagious disease. This year, the U.K. has had more than 1,200 cases of measles, after... Mon, 20 May 2013 14:35:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2097518-measles-surges-uk-years-flawed.html 2013-05-20T14:35:54Z