Laura Kelly

Rural residents smoke at higher rates than city dwellers

Smoking is at its lowest level ever, but rural residents smoke far more than their city cousins do, according to a federal report released Tuesday.

June 19, 2018

NIH ends $100 million alcohol trial after funding controversy

The nation's premier medical research institution announced Friday it won't conduct a landmark alcohol study meant to critically evaluate the benefits or drawbacks of long-term moderate drinking.

June 15, 2018

‘Designer babies’ offer miracle cures, questionable ethics

A generation of designer babies is both an exciting and a daunting prospect for scientists who dare to imagine a future free of genetic disease but can't say how the effects of choice and accessibility will affect society.

June 14, 2018

Fewer teens are having sex but more of them aren’t using condoms: Report

Compared with teens 10 years ago, fewer American high schoolers report having had sex, but of those who are sexually active, just slightly more than half say they use condoms, a new federal study finds.

June 14, 2018

U.S. commits funds for Syria’s White Helmets

The U.S. State Department announced Thursday it will release $6.6 million in financial aid to the Syrian Civil Defense, commonly referred to as the White Helmets, a group which has gained international attention for working to save civilians trapped in the aftermath of air strikes and bombings carried out by the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and its Russian allies.

June 14, 2018

Lack of vitamin D increases risk for colorectal cancer: Study

Not getting enough vitamin D can increase ones risk for colorectal cancer by as much as 31 percent, according to a new study by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

June 14, 2018

One-third of U.S. adults taking common medications that increase depression, suicidal thoughts

An estimated one-third of U.S. adults are taking prescription medications that carry depression and suicidal thoughts as potential side effects, but those dangers are possibly being overlooked by both patients and their doctors, a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found.

June 13, 2018

Multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melon

A salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melon has sickened 60 people in five states, with 31 hospitalizations.

June 12, 2018

Mystery paralysis in 5-year-old girl linked to tick bite

A 5-year-old girl in Mississippi was paralyzed for over a day from a tick bite, an unusual case highlighting the importance of protecting against insects as peak biting season begins.

June 12, 2018

Girls, young women are least physically active in U.S., report finds

Physical activity among young adults decreases sharply after adolescence, with the largest disparities seen in girls and young women, especially black females, a new report says.

June 11, 2018

Young girls and women the least physically active in U.S.: Report

Girls and young women are less likely than boys and young men to be physically active, failing to get about an hour of moderate to vigorous activity per day, according to a new report published on Monday. Black girls and women were the least likely to be physically active compared to other races and sexes.

June 11, 2018

Toddlers are eating too much sugar: CDC study

Toddlers are eating too much added sugar, and their consumption is increasing as they get older, according to a new study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ABC News reported on Sunday.

June 11, 2018

JUUL to start parent education campaign for youth vaping prevention

JUUL Labs on Wednesday announced a public service campaign targeted toward parents to better inform them about their electronic cigarette products and the dangers of use by teenagers.

June 6, 2018

San Francisco to vote on banning all flavors in tobacco products

The next big fight in tobacco legislation will focus on the role of flavors in e-cigarettes: Whether it's dangerously appealing to young people who then pick up smoking or can be a harm reduction tool, to shift adult smokers from cigarettes.

June 5, 2018

FDA issues recall for naloxone injection from hospitals

A recall for naloxone was issued by the Food and Drug Administration over fear that products from the company Hospira Inc. contain potentially dangerous loose particles.

June 5, 2018

JUUL sales among young people fueled by social media, says study

It also criticizes federal researchers for failing to take into account the impact of advertising on these platforms and focusing instead on outdated modes of data collection.

June 4, 2018

Seven hours of sleep ideal for heart health: Study

Getting an average of seven hours of sleep each night is associated with better heart health, according to a new study unveiled Monday at a conference dedicated to sleep in Baltimore.

June 4, 2018

World Health Organization wants people more active to combat global burden of disease

The World Health Organization announced Monday it is stepping up action to combat inactivity among the global population, part of a campaign for health goals to be achieved by 2030 and to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and breast and colon cancer.

June 4, 2018

Multi-state Hepatitis A outbreak fueled by personal contact; rates for homeless, drug users soar

Public health officials are trying to contain a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A that is spreading rapidly between people via close personal contact, not a contaminated food source.

May 30, 2018

Multivitamins and supplements don’t provide health benefits: study

There are little to no health benefits from supplemental vitamins and minerals, according to a new study by researchers in Toronto, Canada.

May 29, 2018