Topic: prevention

Death By Painkiller Overdose Up For 11th Year In A Row (But Politicians Are More Concerned With Birth Control)

Death By Painkiller Overdose Up For 11th Year In A Row (But Politicians Are More Concerned With Birth Control)

According to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics, death by prescription drug and painkiller overdose increased again in 2010, for the 11th consecutive year. A total of 38,329 people died of drug overdoses, and the study authors attribute the majority of deaths to opioids (which include painkillers like Morphine, Oxycodone, and Methadone). Sadly, the statistics aren’t all that shocking anymore: For over a decade, we’ve seen alarming death rates stemming from painkiller addiction and mismanagement of prescription drugs, but it’s still not all that hard to get and abuse prescription drugs. More »

Oscar Pistorius Faces Murder Charges; The Rest Of Us Face Disability Myths and Domestic Violence

Oscar Pistorius Faces Murder Charges; The Rest Of Us Face Disability Myths and Domestic Violence

Oscar Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder for shooting Reeva Steenkamp, his 29-year-old girlfriend, through a closed bathroom door on Valentine’s Day. The world is scrambling to make sense of how the double-amputee Paralympic and Olympic athlete could have done something so horrendous, and South Africa is trying to make sense of how Steenkamp’s murder fits into its serious problem with domestic violence, rape, and violence against women. In the process of dredging up old dirt that hints at Oscar Pistorius’ domestic violence history, and contemplating what his motives might have been for such a violent act, another issue is uncomfortably rising to the surface: All the myths and misconceptions we have about disability. More »

Health Hack: 7 Immune-Boosting Foods & Drinks (That Don’t Require Prep Time)

Health Hack: 7 Immune-Boosting Foods & Drinks (That Don't Require Prep Time)

If you’re worried about catching the flu — and who isn’t right now? — your simplest defense is a diet rich in antioxidants and whole, healthy foods. Of course, that’s easier said than done when you’re traveling or logging long hours at the office. For this week’s #HealthHack, we’ve rounded up immune-system boosting foods and beverages that you can get on the go and eat anywhere. More »

How To Prevent A Cold & Stay Healthy During The Holidays

How To Prevent A Cold & Stay Healthy During The Holidays

If you’re anything like me and my family, you’ve spent quite a few holiday seasons sniffling your way around the tree (or the menorah, or yule log, or whatever it may be in your family or culture).  It just plain sucks that cold and flu season coincides with “the most wonderful time of the year,” but we’ve come up with a few tips that will help you prevent a cold–and stay germ-free–over the next few weeks.  Here’s how to stay healthy over the holidays. More »

Meatless Monday: 10 Vegetarian Recipes To Prevent A Cold This Holiday Season

Meatless Monday: 10 Vegetarian Recipes To Prevent A Cold This Holiday Season

Most people telling you how to prevent a cold are selling you on mystery herbs and supplements, or old wives’ tales–but they often forget to discuss the best foods for a cold. Boosting your immune system and staying healthy doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money (or swallowing spoonfuls of unpleasant remedies); a big part of cold prevention is eating a balanced diet, with an emphasis on a few of the best foods to prevent a cold. More »

Kelly Preston Speaks Out About Autism And Her Son’s Death; Thankfully, This Isn’t A Jenny McCarthy Moment

Kelly Preston Speaks Out About Autism And Her Son's Death; Thankfully, This Isn't A Jenny McCarthy Moment

Kelly Preston is speaking out about autism and the death of her son, Jett Travolta, for the first time in a segment on the show The Doctors. She says environmental factors and chemicals are a major cause of rising autism rates, and believes that they’re one of the thing’s responsible for Jett’s autism. While we’re probably all a little scarred by Jenny McCarthy’s crusade against vaccines, but this celebrity is worth hearing out: Not only is there real research and science behind her claims; she’s also promoting a lifestyle that’s generally pretty safe and healthy. Which is a much more appealing option than taking a gamble with vaccines. More »

Alzheimer’s Is The New Cancer (Which Could Be Both Good, Bad For Generations X & Y)

Alzheimer's Is The New Cancer (Which Could Be Both Good, Bad For Generations X & Y)

November is national Alzheimer’s disease awareness month, and there’s good reason for members of Gen X and Gen Y to pay attention. Though not marked by nearly as many ribbons or races, Alzheimer’s is looking a lot like it could be the next cancer where public health is concerned. Like cancer, Alzheimer’s was once very stigmatized but is now being addressed more openly. Like cancer, it can cause the body to turn on itself. Like cancer, it’s deadly – currently the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. And, like with cancer, it’s looking as if prevention is a much better bet than an Alzheimer’s cure. More »

Planned Parenthood Breast Health Initiative: A Missed Opportunity In Women’s Health?

Planned Parenthood Breast Health Initiative: A Missed Opportunity In Women's Health?

After Susan G. Komen for the Cure pulled the plug on its funding last spring, Planned Parenthood got a windfall of donations from supporters who came out in droves to back the women’s health non-profit. Yesterday, they announced that the extra money will go towards a new breast health initiative–a slap in the face of critics who’d have you believe that their health clinics are just abortion super-centers disguised as health clinics. It’s hard–and, I recognize, very unpopular–to criticize anyone for providing free mammograms, but I’m going to say it: They might be proving critics wrong, but in sticking with the standard line in breast cancer care, I think Planned Parenthood missed an important opportunity to further women’s health. More »

FDA Finally Approves HIV Prevention Drug, Truvada

FDA Finally Approves HIV Prevention Drug, Truvada

The FDA has finally approved a new drug that prevents HIV infection. The medicine, Truvada, is a daily pill expected to be taken by people at a high-risk of becoming infected with HIV (gay and bisexual men usually, but the drug has been approved for all HIV-negative people). This is awesome news for public health here in America, especially considering the increasingly- cavalier attitudes towards HIV of lots of American young people. More »

Alcohol Boosts Bone Health In Women Over 50, Says Irresponsibly-Reported Study

Alcohol Boosts Bone Health In Women Over 50, Says Irresponsibly-Reported Study

The award for worst health reporting of the week goes to…numerous news outlets that reported on the benefits of booze for bone health today. A study released this morning, which suggests that regular alcohol consumption could lower risk of osteoporosis in women over 50—the problem is, the study’s scope was miniscule, didn’t test against other lifestyle factors, and its findings run counter to just about every other evaluation of alcohol’s impact on bone health. So headlines reporting the study’s conclusion in the guise of cutting-edge health advice aren’t just overly hopeful; they’re overly irresponsible. More »