Health News

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- In almost every state, children in the poorest and least-educated households suffer the worst health outcomes, U.S. researchers say.

Economy stresses women more than men

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The shaky U.S. economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide, with women feeling it more than men, a survey indicates.

Parents may not see child as overweight

SEATTLE, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Many parents do not accurately perceive their children as overweight or at risk for adulthood obesity, U.S. researchers report.

Vitamin D lack linked to IBD, liver disease

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and chronic liver disease, U.S. researchers say.

Group calls for caffeine content labeling

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- A U.S. non-profit health advocacy group has asked the federal government to require firms to list the caffeine content on their caffeinated energy drinks.

People rate neighborhood by appearance

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say the general appearance of a neighborhood is key to residential satisfaction.

Higher heat prices linked to sicker kids

BOSTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. children who live in homes where parents have to decide on whether to buy heat or food have more risk of being hospitalized, researchers said.

Liver recipients at higher cancer risk

HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Patients who have liver transplants are almost three times more likely to develop cancer, Finnish researchers say.

Group calls for U.S. school hot dog ban

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Officials of a U.S. nonprofit group are calling for the government to stop distributing hot dogs to children through the National School Lunch Program.

Forgetting may indicate less brain volume

NIJMEGEN , Netherlands, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- People who forget an appointment or friend's name may have a loss of brain volume, even though they don't have dementia, Dutch researchers said.

Americans should exercise 2.5 hours a week

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Adults should have 2.5 hours a week of moderate aerobic physical activity, but children should have at least one hour a day, U.S. health officials said.

Fan in room linked to less SIDS risk

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Using a fan appears to be associated with a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, in rooms with inadequate ventilation, U.S. researchers say.

Analysts: Palin lost a chance to connect

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Two movement analysts, who study the movement of political leaders, say Sarah Palin missed a chance to connect with viewers during the vice presidential debate.

Blood test for Down syndrome created

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have found -- in a small study of 18 women -- a prenatal blood test that accurately detected Down syndrome and two other chromosomal defects.

Patients may adjust allergy medicine

HAT YAI, Thailand, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Thai researchers suggest patients on allergy medicine are better served when they adjust their dose to symptoms.