Preterm births and adolescent births declined, eighth graders’ math and reading scores increased, and more children had health insurance, according to the federal government’ annual statistical report on the well-being of the nation’s children and youth. The report also showed several economic changes that coincided with the beginning of the economic downturn: increases in child … Read more
As the resident male blogger here at Gov Gab, it’s my job to tell you that June is National Men’s Health Month and that today through Sunday is National Men’s Health Week. Signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994, National Men’s Health Week always occurs the week before Father’s Day. The purpose of … Read more
Whether you live near the Gulf of Mexico or not, there are ways that you can help the region and its wildlife recover from the oil spill. If you want to help the animals affected by the spill, remember that cleaning oiled wildlife is complex and can be dangerous. It requires training, so don’t try … Read more
I’ve really been into grilling this year. I like it because of how food cooked on the grill tastes, because I can make a meal without heating up the house or producing a mountain of dirty dishes, and most of all I like to sit down and relax in the cool evening air while I … Read more
A few weeks ago, I went on a trip with a some friends. We had a blast, but I couldn’t help but notice that one of the members of my crew took 1,000 pictures over the course of our vaycay. Not. Even. Kidding. Literally – over 1,000 pictures. At first this was amusing. By the end, … Read more
An experimental vaccine developed to prevent outbreaks of Marburg hemorrhagic fever continues to show promise in monkeys as an emergency treatment for accidental exposures to the virus that causes the disease. There is no licensed treatment for Marburg infection, which has a high fatality rate.
A program in which individuals used a standardized form signed by a physician to communicate their end-of-life care preferences on issues such as levels of medical intervention and tube feeding lead to significantly better adherence to treatment preferences than more traditional methods of communication, according to a new study.
I love watching summer thunderstorms — the wind and the rain and the lightening streaking across the sky. It’s fun to watch them when I’m inside feeling safe, it’s not so fun watching summer storms when I’m caught off guard and out in my car trying to drive through the storms. The United States experiences … Read more
Healthcare.gov is a new government website that helps you to find insurance options based on your situation; understand the Affordable Care Act; compare hospitals; get tips on preventing common diseases; and more.
Today, the National Institutes of Health announce that the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR), established in 2005, will be funded for five more years. CoFAR will continue to foster new approaches to prevent and treat food allergies and also expand in scope to include research on the genetic causes underlying food allergy and studies … Read more
Last year, my New Year’s Resolution was to drink more water. Shockingly enough- I actually did it! Now, a diet soda is a rarity instead of the norm. I pretty much drink strictly H2O, or unsweetened iced tea- sometimes with lemon if I really want to get crazy. Now that I am actually drinking water– … Read more
The National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Wellcome Trust, a global charity based in London, today announced a partnership to support population-based genetic studies in Africa of common, non-communicable disorders such as heart disease and cancer, as well as communicable diseases such as malaria. … Read more
I was at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee last weekend and while I had a blast, I really missed the air conditioner. It was so hot that some people were abandoning their tents to sleep in their air-conditioned cars. Since the AC was on my mind when I got back to work … Read more
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the 2010 Federal Duck Stamp on Friday and the Junior Duck Stamp goes on sale Thursday. Federal Duck Stamps are not for postage, but they have other uses. Hunters over the age of 16 need the current Federal Duck Stamp affixed to their state hunting license. For non-hunters, … Read more
It’s late at night, the TV’s on and you see a commercial. It tells you that if you just buy this wonderful book, you’ll learn the secrets to get free money from the government to pay your credit card bills, renovate your home, and start a business! It sounds so wonderful, but is it too … Read more
In people with longstanding type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for heart attack and stroke, lowering blood sugar to near-normal levels did not delay the combined risk of diabetic damage to kidneys, eyes, or nerves, but did delay several other signs of diabetic damage, a study has found. The intensive glucose treatment was … Read more
I am very excited about this Fourth of July. I will be spending it in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with my whole family. It has been a long time since we were all together for a fun celebration. The “foodie” in me is already contemplating what culinary delight I can make to wow the family at … Read more