Passport Fee Increase

I got my first passport when I was fifteen and going on a school trip to England and France. This means I spent the following 10 years flashing a picture of me in braces and with hair styling fresh from basketball practice. When it was due for renewal I snickered when I realized that renewing … Read more

Letsmove.gov: Healthy Choices One Day at a Time

Alright, confession time: I watch a lot of bad reality TV. Please don’t judge me. For many reasons, one of my favorite shows is the Biggest Loser. I’m a health nut; I love watching the transformations; and I get a kick out of the trainers screaming their heads off. But the fact that such a … Read more

Women’s cholesterol levels vary with phase of menstrual cycle

National Institutes of Health researchers have shown that women’s cholesterol levels correspond with monthly changes in estrogen levels. This natural variation, they suggest, might indicate a need to take into account the phases of a woman’s monthly cycle before evaluating her cholesterol measures. On average, the total cholesterol level of the women in the study … Read more

NIH Director Announces Appointment of James Anderson as Director of the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives

National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., announced today the appointment of James M. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., as the Director of the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). We anticipate his arrival in September 2010.

Be a Summer Reading Volunteer!

My fiance is an elementary school teacher and sometimes I think she gets more excited about summer vacation than her students. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t do anything school-wise during her break; summer reading is a big part of her R&R. In fact, last week she went to the local library, checked out a couple … Read more

HIV/AIDS Treatment Curbs Spread of HIV Among Drug Users, According to NIH Supported Study

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), currently known for its therapeutic benefits against HIV, also reduced the spread of the virus among people with a history of injection drug use, according to a population-based study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. The study was published … Read more

Can Telemarketers Call Cell Phones? Do Not Call Registry for wireless phones

Did you hear the rumor? Any day now telemarketers will be assaulting your cell phone! The good news is that it’s a rumor and nothing more. E-mails have been circulating and urging you to register your cell phone number with the special Do Not Call Registry for wireless phones. I just saw one in my … Read more

Federal Report Details Health and Economic Status of Older Americans

Today’s older Americans enjoy longer lives and better health than did previous generations. These and other trends are reported in Older Americans 2010: Key Indicators of Well-Being, a unique, comprehensive look at aging in the United States from the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.

Five New Members Named to NIH Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health

The National Institutes of Health Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health announces the appointment of five new members: Francisco Garcia, M.D., M.P.H., Ronda S. Henry-Tillman, M.D., F.A.C.S., Karen E. Kim, M.D., Claire Pomeroy, M.D., and Paul F. Terranova, Ph.D.

Oil Spill Volunteer / Donation Information

Things I wanted to write about today: Certain Hollywood starlets being sent to the slammer, the ending to the movie "Inception", the Phillies current performance making me lose my appetite. However, none of these things make the rankings on the USA.gov FAQ page of the most searched topics by citizens. In response to the numerous … Read more

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health on Results from the CAPRISA 004 Microbicide HIV Prevention Study

Today we congratulate the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and the people of South Africa on the positive findings from the CAPRISA 004 microbicide study, which marks a significant milestone both for the microbicide research field and HIV prevention as a whole.

NIDA NewsScan #67

To coincide with the 2010 International AIDS Conference in Vienna, NIDA has written a special issue of NewsScan on HIV/AIDS which features recent articles on the connection between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS and prevention and treatment strategies, authored by researchers supported by NIDA and other leading research organizations.

NIH-Funded Study Finds Early HAART during TB Treatment Boosts Survival Rate in People Co-Infected with HIV and TB

A clinical trial in Cambodia has found it possible to prolong the survival of untreated HIV-infected adults with very weak immune systems and newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) by starting anti-HIV therapy two weeks after beginning TB treatment, rather than waiting eight weeks, as has been standard. This finding by scientists co-funded by the National Institute … Read more

NIH Announces New Awards in Program to Expand Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health

Almost $6 million has been awarded to investigators and programs to help researchers in the early stages of careers in women’s health research. The funding is from the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and other co-sponsors. The money will go to 12 new and continuing Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers … Read more

NIHSeniorHealth Site Offers Tips on Creating a Family Health History

At your next family reunion or gathering, consider discussing a different type of family tree–the family health history. Find out how to collect, organize and use information about your family’s health at Creating a Family Health History, the newest topic on the NIHSeniorHealth website. NIHSeniorHealth is a health and wellness website designed especially for older … Read more

So long! Farewell!

I’m fairly certain that while growing up, my sister and I didn’t miss a single opportunity to watch any cartoon special on TV. Because of this, we have some pretty obscure movie lines we use regularly for nearly any life situation. Unfortunately, because most kids were much cooler than us, nobody has a clue that … Read more