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Down Syndrome Numbers Up

Fri, Dec 4 Listen

Down Syndrome Births on the Rise Congress and Mamograms Suicide Clusters And How to Report on Them

Your Genes and the Law

Wed, Nov 25 Listen

One man's struggle with Huntington's Disease, A new law protects your DNA. A college tells students if they're obese they can't graduate.

Mammograms and PAP Smears

Fri, Nov 20 Listen

Discussion of new recommendatons on mammograms and PAP smears. Pain management gets a new look. Health information online evolves.

Antibiotics and Pregnancy

Fri, Nov 13 Listen

Crippling facial pain and what medicine can do about it. H1N1 vaccine. Is it worth the wait? A new study flags some antibiotics as unsafe during pregnancy. Regina Holliday paints her health care woes on a gas station wall.

Listener Questions on Swine Flu

Sat, Nov 7 Listen

Hear answers to listener's questions on new H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine and illness. CDC website on how to care for child with swine flu criticized by parents. And a brief history of vaccine distrust.

More Flu and Student Mental Health

Fri, Oct 30 Listen

The second part in a two part series about mental health on college campuses. Richard Knox explains why there's a shortage of H1N1 flu vaccine. And an interview on new technologies for making vaccine. Plus, a report explaining the inexact science of age and the cost of health insurance.

New On Flu and Headphones on You

Fri, Oct 23 Listen

How long is the new H1N1 congatious? Maybe longer than we thought. Also, while Congress tries to draw up a health care reform bill, Massachusettes gets two thumbs up from doctors for its ambitious, get everyone insured plan. And we hear why your group health insurance rates are what they are. Plus headphones and health .. here's news you can use.

What Does It Take To Make People Change?

Fri, Oct 16 Listen

We hear about taxes on soda pop and mandatory vaccinations for health care workers .. just what does it take to make us change? Also, Jeff Brady reports on a medicaid recipient in Colorado who is very happy with her government run health care plan. And demanding medical consumers play a role in driving up health care costs.

Flu, Old and New

Fri, Oct 9 Listen

We answer listener questions about the new pandemic flu. This past week the vaccine for the new flu rolled out - we hear from the CDC about that. And more on health insurance and who can afford to have it and who can't.

"Are You Covered"?

Fri, Oct 2 Listen

We hear 4 stories from our series "Are You Covered". From people with fantastic insurance to those with none at all, we take a deeper look at how individuals intersect with the health insurance industry.

The Emotional Toll Of Skin Disorders

Mon, Sep 14 Listen

Hives, psoriasis or acne can be physically and emotionally painful. We hear about triggers that might cause these flair-ups, and how to best cope with serious skin disorders. Also, a conversation with author Michael Pollan about the relationship between the food industry and the health care industry. And an update on the health care overhaul debate.

Stop Moaning and Put Your Sneakers On!

Mon, Sep 7 Listen

Brenda Wilson reports on the physicians view of the HPV vaccine. Worried that running is hard on your joints? Are you considering putting away the sneaks to spare the knees? Sorry to say you might have to find another excuse to stay off the trail...

The Landscape of Friendship

Mon, Aug 31 Listen

Do any of your good friendships date back to your freshman year of college? We explain the phenomenon of friendships and freshman roommates and talk with a college psychologist who spends a lot of time on campus counseling students on how to manage friendships. We also look at depression and genes. Therapists are looking at the value of treating children of depressed parents because research suggests that those children are at higher risk.

Tired of Working Out?

Mon, Aug 24 Listen

Research shows with interval training you can cut your workout time in half. It's better for your heart and weight loss. Why is it some people can exercise endlessly and never lose weight? We'll get to the bottom of this phenomenon. Also, weight lifting for kids can help them avoid injuries by getting in shape...

Take a Vacation - It's REALLY Good For You!!

Tue, Aug 18 Listen

Evidence is mounting that a sound mind and body require taking time away from work and investing in leisure. NPR's Brenda Wilson looks at what science says about the effect of vacation on health. With today's economy, lots of people are finding they just can't afford to travel for a vacation. So they stay home when they get time off work. But, it can be a little harder to get a mental and physical boost from your vacation at home. Allison Aubrey talks with Professor Mauro Guillen at the...

Lifestyle, Diet and Alzheimer's Disease

Mon, Aug 10 Listen

Does keeping your cholesterol low also lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's? We discuss the latest research. And the best hope for treating the disease may lie in preventing it altogether. Delirium in older adults is common during hospital stays. Joe Shapiro has a report. Plus, don't throw salt on your wounds try sugar! Your basic table sugar was recommended 100 years ago to treat burns and wounds.Some still say it's better than antibiotics.

The Good Side of a Bad Night's Sleep

Mon, Aug 3 Listen

Researchers say getting 8 straight hours of sleep is more a product of our artifical lifestyles than it is our natural biology. Also, smoking cigarettes made from Jimson weed as a cure for asthma was popular 100 years ago. What did folks back then know that we don't? The latest on H1N1 - Swine Flu. Who has it and where? And, who should get the vaccine when it's released?

The Nutrient Detectives, How Do They Know?

Mon, Jul 27 Listen

What is the best way to get the most nutrients out of your fruits and veggies? Meet the nutrient detectives who spend their time grinding up food, analyzing which fruits and vegetables can keep us healthy. Could it be that an apple PEEL a day keeps the doctor away? We also check in with the Food and Drug Administration to see what they are doing to make sure our food is safe to eat. And, an inside look at the health care debate with NPR's Julie Rovner.

The Skinny On The Sunshine Vitamin

Mon, Jul 20 Listen

Do you have enough of the sunshine vitamin? Scientists continue to find evidence that Vitamin D can help keep us healthy, but getting the right amount can be hard. Supplements work, but getting direct sunshine is even better. We talk with a doctor who has devoted his life to understanding Vitamin D, Dr. Michael Holick. We also get an update on the H1N1 vaccine. If all goes as planned, a vaccine should be in place by mid-October. We look at how the US can distribute not 1 but the 2 shots...

Chew Your Way to Good Health and Happiness

Fri, Jul 10 Listen

Chewing gum with Xylitol is a popular past time in Finland, because what the Finns have known for 30 years is that Xylitol can help prevent cavities. We visit the Finnish embassy and learn what makes Xylitol different from other naturally occuring sugars. The Art of Chewing. We discuss Horace Fletcher, the Victorian health food faddist who popularized the notion that one must chew one's food between 50 and 100 times.

This Podcast is A Pain in the .... Joints!

Mon, Jul 6 Listen

So .. pain. Don't take too much acetaminophen if you have it - suggests an FDA advisory panel. We'll talk about that. And joint pain: much of it comes from osteoarthritis. Is it inevitable most of us will develop it as we age? What expensive health care procedures would you be willing to say NO to, when in pain? And, here's a story not about pain but avoiding it. Older drivers learning how to stay behind the wheel safely.

Healing Places and Deep Breathing

Mon, Jun 29 Listen

Author and Researcher Esther Sternberg discusses how your environment can impact how quickly you heal. She discusses with Allison the science behind the mind and body connection. Also, breathing properly. It's a stress reliever and helps singers improve performance. Iggy Pop - sings too.. and his voice sounds pretty great at 62. We'll hear from him and his latest album.

The Under-Diagnosed World of Celiac Disease

Mon, Jun 15 Listen

It's one of the most underdiagnosed yet one of the most treatable diseases: Celiac .. which is when the body cannot process wheat gluten. We'll talk with GI specialist about the signs and symptoms and Gluten-Free Girl about eating a rich and exciting gluten free life exploring foods that don't contain gluten.

Type 1 Diabetes Through The Eyes of a Teenager

Fri, May 29 Listen

You're thinking about going to college and ultimate frisbee and guess what, you've got Juvenile Diabetes. We hear what that's like. A provokative study on Green Tea and Leukemia. Plus, being overweight can make pregnant women vulnerable to all sorts of complications. We talk about new recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences on just how much weight you should carry during pregnancy.

Summer Health Tips and News from the Flu Dude

Mon, May 25 Listen

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. Alison Aubrey talks with Steve Inskeep about health tips to remember as the days start getting warmer - from what to look for in sunscreen and sunglasses, why we need to wear bug repellent, and how to stay properly hydrated. We also hear from Richard Knox with an update on the status of Swine Flu; and new research about acupuncture.

"Health Care Stuff" and I quote.

Fri, May 15 Listen

There's a lot happening in the world of health care reform. What are the plans, the priorities and the possibilities given among other things all the politics? We discuss. We profile a doctor who treats post polio syndrome.

A Snappy Little Virus and Its Family Tree

Fri, May 8 Listen

The genetics of the swine flu virus discussed. Where did this one come from? Where is it going? Also, looking back at West Nile and SARS... Why do those initial reports of disease outbreaks scare the H—L out of us? Home Alone? Our consumer health reporter Ms. Aubrey explores when it is appropriate to let your tweens stay 'home alone?'

Some Answers To Swine Flu Questions

Mon, May 4 Listen

Just how dangerous is swine flu? What would going to a WHO pandemic level 6 really mean? Why is flu seasonal? NPR's Joe Neel and Richard Knox answer these listener & reader submitted questions and more.

Swine Flu Special Update

Fri, May 1 Listen

Science and Health Desk editors and reporters discuss the week's events surrounding the swine flu/2009 H1N1 outbreak. They discuss the timeline of events, the status of vaccines, what the WHO Phase 5 designation means.

A Swine Flu Special

Thu, Apr 30 Listen

NPR's Health and Science Desk take a look back at the last 9 days of Swine Flu reporting. What do we really know about this flu strain and what's left to know? Will the U.S. be able to develop a vaccine in time for flu season? If this outbreak is classified as a pandemic, does that mean it will be as deadly as previous pandemics? These are some of the topics discussed by health and science reporters and editors.

On Health (Health, Home & Life)