Undiagnosed Celiac Disease More Common Today Than 50 Years Ago Say US Researchers

US researchers said that undiagnosed cases of celiac disease, where the immune system has a strong adverse reaction to the protein found in wheat and other grains, appear to have increased dramatically in the last 50 years. They also found, over a 45 year follow up, that people with undiagnosed celiac disease have a nearly four-fold increased risk of premature death from any cause.

More Women Seek Nonprescription Remedies For Menopause Symptoms

Over-the-counter remedies for menopause symptoms are growing in popularity among some women who fear potential risks from prescription hormone replacement therapy, the New York Times reports.

New Georgia Law Allows Families To 'Adopt' Embryos

A Georgia law (HB 388) that took effect on Wednesday allows state residents to "adopt" embryos created for fertility treatments, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Gould Sheinin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/1).

Doctors And Nurses Facing Tough Choices

Doctors and nurses consider job security and the differences between primary care and specialties when choosing their career paths.The Business Courier of Cincinnati reports on an increase in nursing: "The recession has people craving a safe harbor, and nursing is probably the closest thing to it.

State Medicaid Coverage, Costs Grow In Maryland, Mississippi

"A year into a new effort to expand health coverage, recession-weary Marylanders are flocking to the state's Medicaid program in numbers far greater than expected, costing the state $50 million more in the process," The Baltimore Sun reports.

AMA President Calls For Congress' Insurance Plan For All Uninsured Americans

While CNN reports that the American Medical Association's new president, J. James Rohack, is open to a government-funded health insurance option, others report that the system the AMA now endorses is not a public plan, but the heavily managed private plan that federal employees participate in.

HELP Democrats Draft New Bill With Public Plan And Employer Mandate That They Say Is Cheaper

Democrats on a key Senate committee are readying a plan that has a government-run insurance option and a $750-per-worker annual fee on larger companies that do not offer coverage to its employees, The Associated Press reports. "In a letter outlining the details, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.

Obama Presses Case For Health Reform

President Barack Obama pitched his health reform proposal Wednesday at a town hall meeting in Annandale, Va., asking the public and Congress to deliver on health care reform. The Associated Press reports that Obama put "a human face" on health care reform by hugging a cancer patient, but gave few new details on his health care reform plans.

India To Provide Incentives For Medical Professionals To Work In Rural, Underserved Areas

In an effort to encourage medical professionals to provide services to low-income rural populations in India, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced an initiative that will significantly raise the salary of "doctors, specialists and para-medical staff" who elect to work in "rural, particularly far-flung and inaccessible areas," the Hindu reports.

Politico Examines Retraction, Resubmission Of HHS HIV Immigration Policy

Politico's Blog "Under the Radar" explores the HHS' recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy.

Flu Virus Ill-Suited For Rapid Transmission, But Researchers Say New Strain Bears Watching, Could Mutate

A team from MIT and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found a genetic explanation for why the new H1N1 "swine flu" virus has spread from person to person less effectively than other flu viruses.

Number Of Abortion Procedures Continues To Decline In Minnesota And Wisconsin

The following summarizes news coverage of state abortion statistics in Minnesota and Wisconsin.~ Minnesota: The number of abortions performed in Minnesota decreased for the second consecutive year in 2008, according to an annual report from the state Department of Health, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Today's Selection Of Opinions And Editorials

The Patients Doctors Don't Know The New York Times All medical students are required to have clinical experiences in pediatrics and obstetrics, even though after they graduate most will never treat a child or deliver a baby.

FDA Adds Strong Warnings To Anti-Smoking Drug Labels

"The Food and Drug Administration announced (Wednesday) that it is requiring the smoking-cessation drugs Chantix and Zyban to carry the strongest type of safety warning possible to alert patients that the medications can cause serious mental health problems, including depression and suicide," the Washington Post reports (Stein, 7/1).

Study Examines Cost, Benefits Of Extending Medicare Drug Use

"A new large-scale study of medical records found that the extra cost of extending prescription coverage to Medicare enrollees was substantially offset by lower spending on other medical care for people who previously had limited or no prescription-drug coverage," The Wall Street Journal reports.

Don't miss these 7 summer foods

Buying fruits and vegetables at their peak from your local farmer’s market or grocery store is good for both your health and your wallet. Here are 7 summer foods you shouldn't miss.

Up to 6,000 exposed to hepatitis at hospital

A former surgery technician may have exposed thousands of Colorado patients to hepatitis C when she swapped her own dirty syringes for ones filled with a powerful narcotic, officials said.

Powerful sedative found in Jackson’s home

A law enforcement official says the powerful sedative Diprivan was found in Michael Jackson's home. Diprivan is an intravenous anesthetic drug widely used in operating rooms to induce unconsciousness. Also known as Propofol, it's very unusual to have in a private home

Fact file: What is Diprivan?

Diprivan, a powerful sedative reportedly found at Michael Jackson's home, is generally used as an anesthesia during surgeries. Find out more about the medication.

Sip 'n starve: Dangerous diets in disguise

In L.A., the latest “healthy” method for staying slim can border on the downright dangerous — and it’s probably already changing the way we all think about diets.

Oops! Why we say what we’re trying to hide

Scientists have figured out one surprising reason why we make social gaffes we desperately wish to avoid: The very act of trying to avoid saying or doing something can cause it to happen.

Heart attack survivors not told of study dangers

A federal investigation has found that heart attack survivors enrolled in a study of a controversial alternative medicine treatment were not told enough about potential dangers from the drug being tested, including death.

Advocates are back with real health care stories

Thousands of people are now telling their stories on videos, ads and Web sites on both sides of the health care debate.

'Organic' label's integrity under fire

USDA shortcomings mean consumers who buy "organic" are not always getting foods without pesticides, produced in a way that is gentle on the environment.

MSG hangs on after decades of demonization

Complaints about headaches and heart palpitations persist. But so does monosodium glutamate.

New swine flu inefficient in attacking people

With swine flu continuing to spread around the world, researchers say they have found the reason it is — so far — more a series of local blazes than a wide-raging wildfire.

Obama health czar led companies in trouble

Nancy-Ann DeParle, President Barack Obama’s health policy czar, served as a director of corporations that faced scores of federal investigations, whistleblower lawsuits and other regulatory actions, according to government records reviewed by the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University.

400,000 cribs recalled after 8-month-old dies

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday that Simplicity Inc. is recalling about 400,000 cribs that put babies at risk of death by suffocation.

Few survive cardiac arrest, even with CPR

The odds of surviving cardiac arrest after getting CPR in a hospital are slim and have not improved in more than a decade.

As 23 states get even fatter, heavy costs loom

Mississippi's still king of cellulite, but an ominous tide is rolling toward the Medicare doctors in neighboring Alabama: obese baby boomers.

Police: Hospital worker swiped shots, spread hep C

A former hospital employee may have exposed hundreds or thousands of surgical patients to hepatitis C when she replaced clean needles filled with the powerful painkiller fentanyl with her own dirty needles filled with saline solution.

Health.com picks top beach, lake getaways

We know your summer vacation time is precious: You want to land where you can truly relax, breathe fresh air, get in some exercise and eat well -- without breaking the bank. That's why we teamed up with a panel of travel and health experts to help us find the healthiest of the nation's most popular beach and lake towns.

Suit: Toxic plane air sickens flight attendant

The last time Terry Williams can remember being headache-free was in December. A chronic migraine has plagued her ever since. So have balance and vision problems, a tremor in her left arm, a prickly sensation in her feet and a loss of childhood memories.

Immigrant mom sees fruits of healthy baby food

Agatha Achindu's life-changing career move started out simply enough -- she wanted a healthy baby.

July 4th fireworks: Fun but dangerous, feds warn

Before lighting up that patriotic sparkler this weekend, remember to play it safe.

AMA open to government-funded insurance option

The new president of the American Medical Association, which represents the interests of the nation's doctors, said Wednesday the group is open to a government-funded health insurance option for people without coverage.

Anti-smoking drugs to carry mental-health warnings

Two popular anti-smoking drugs will now carry warnings about the risk of severe mental health problems, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.

Mississippi tops U.S. obesity rankings

Mississippi has kept its U.S. heavyweight title for a fifth straight year, among both adults and children.

Swine flu fears hit Wimbledon tournament

A total of 28 staff at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships have been asked to stay at home with suspected swine flu.

Poll: Obama health plan has support

A new national poll suggests that a bare majority of Americans support President Obama's health care plan.