U.S. Government News

What You Need to Know About Cholesterol

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:06:01 PST

Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the U.S. Each year more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:23:12 PST

An estimated 250,000 people in the United States have HIV and are not aware of it. National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity for people nationwide to learn their HIV status, and to gain knowledge to take control of their health and their lives.

Underage Drinkers Received Free Alcohol from Adults Over 21, Study Reports

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:10:57 PST

Survey reveals that 650,000 underage drinkers in the past month were given alcohol by their parents or guardians

Research Matters: Wide Waists Boost Mortality Risk

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:59:15 PST

Having a large waist has been tied to health problems before, but the results of previous studies have been inconsistent. It wasn't clear if waist circumference could give doctors any more information than body mass index (BMI—a ratio of weight to height) could

Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening in African American Men, Recruiting Participants

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:35:19 PST

Screening may help doctors find prostate cancer sooner, when it may be easier to treat. This research study is looking at whether patients who are being screened for prostate cancer have been previously screened.

Update On Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Certain Types Of Tomatoes

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:31:12 PST

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today confirmed two additional California cases of Salmonella Saintpaul related to the multistate outbreak associated with consumption of tomatoes. The individuals are residents of San Diego county.

New Collaboration to Promote Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:21:30 PST

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced today a collaboration with the National Head Start Association (NHSA) to promote healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood.

Researchers Seek Participants for a Study of Antibiotic Use in Children with a Urinary Tract Disorder

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:08:37 PST

Researchers conducting a study to learn if children with a urinary tract disorder known as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) should be treated with an antibiotic for an extended period of time are seeking to enroll more participants. The study, known as the Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux (RIVUR) study is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Fake Cancer Cures: FDA Warns Individuals and Firms to Stop Selling Fake Cancer Cures

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:47:05 PST

Warning Letters have been sent to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently claiming to prevent and cure cancer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today. The FDA also warns North American consumers against using or purchasing the products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves, and creams, and are sold under various names on the Internet.

New Report Pinpoints Substance Use and Mental Health Problems in the U.S.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:10:36 PST

Survey reveals wide variations and unexpected patterns of substance use and mental illness across more than 340 localities across the United States

Storm and Flood Cleanup, NIOSH Reports

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:30:40 PST

The floods inundating the Upper Midwest illustrate the devastating impact of these natural disasters. Storm and flood cleanup activities can be hazardous. Workers and volunteers involved with flood cleanup should be aware of the potential dangers involved, and the proper safety precautions.

St. John's Wort Shows No Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:33:32 PST

According to the National Institute of Mental Health at NIH, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States and it is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children. NIMH states that children with ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings, including home, school, and in relationships with peers

Prescription Drug Abuse: California Launches Online Technology To Fight Prescription Drug Abuse

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:34:07 PST

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a plan to create an online prescription drug database so that authorized doctors and pharmacies can stop drug dealers and addicts who collect dangerous narcotics from multiple doctors.

June is Cancer Survivorship Month

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:32:38 PST

In June we focus attention on the needs of cancer survivors. As the population of cancer survivors continues to increase, CDC is working with national, state, and local partners to create and implement strategies to help the millions of people in the US who live with, through, and beyond cancer.

Counterfeit Drugs and Travel: CDC Update

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:29:12 PST

Counterfeit (or fake) drugs are products that are manufactured using incorrect, inactive, or harmful ingredients. These drugs are then packaged and labeled to look like real brand-name and generic drugs to deceive consumers into thinking that they are buying real drugs. Counterfeit drugs are unsafe because they may contain inactive ingredients that are not effective or toxic ingredients that are harmful to your health.

Quit Smoking: Smokers Band Together and Quit Together

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:07:51 PST

When smokers kick the habit, chances are they’re in good company. A new study finds that changes in smoking behavior often spread through social networks, with spouses, friends, siblings and co-workers deciding to light up or stub out their cigarettes for good around the same time. A better understanding of how social networks affect smoking behavior may lead to more effective ways to prevent or reduce smoking.

SAMHSA Honors "The Sopranos," "Monk," “DIRT” at Star-Studded Voice Awards in Los Angeles

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:36:47 PST

Writers and producers from "The Sopranos," "Dirt," Reign Over Me, and others were honored at the 2008 Voice Awards last night by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), hosted by award-winning actor and mental health advocate Joe Pantoliano and Hairspray film star Nikki Blonsky, at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Major Depressive Episode among Youths Aged 12 to 17, The NSDUH Reports

Mon, 26 May 2008 09:14:40 PST

Female youth were more than twice as likely as males to have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year (12.7% vs. 4.6%).

One in Every 12 Adolescents Experienced Major Depression in the Past Year

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:38:56 PST

Survey reveals adolescent females are twice as likely as adolescent males to suffer a major depressive episode

Tips on Eating Well as You Get Older

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:06:29 PST

How should you eat as you get older? Which foods are likely to keep you most healthy and which ones should you limit? Is it possible to eat well and stay within a healthy weight? These and other questions are addressed in "Eating Well as You Get Older," the latest topic to be added to NIHSeniorHealth, the health and wellness Web site developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), both part of the National Institutes of Health.