Latest Target In The Drug Price Wars? The Ubiquitous EpiPen
Lawmakers are demanding answers as to why the price of this aging drug, which stops a life-threatening allergic reaction, keeps going up.
Medical Treatments
Health Officials Struggle To Fight Deadly Sepsis Infections
Although a CDC study released today found that 80 percent of cases develop outside the hospital or at a nursing home, many people still don't know about this lethal medical condition.
Tighter Patent Rules Could Help Lower Drug Prices, Study Shows
Repeated extensions of drug patents help fend off competitors, researchers say, keeping prices high. And the fact that Medicare and Medicaid can't negotiate for discounts doesn't help, either.
A Small Town Struggles With A Boom In Sober Living Homes
Prescott, Ariz., has become a destination of choice for people trying to get sober, with growing numbers of group homes for recovering addicts. Some residents are calling for regulation of the homes.
For Parents Who Have Lost A Baby, Some Aid In Their Grapple With Grief
Parents who lose a child to miscarriage or stillbirth often feel like they're going through it alone. But the experience is actually common in the U.S. — and one group is trying to help them cope.
After IVF, Some Struggle With What To Do With Leftover Embryos
Nearly a million embryos are in frozen storage in the U.S. Some couples feel ambivalent, even after their family is complete, so put off deciding what to do with what some call their 'maybe babies.'
Insurance Alone Isn't Enough To Make Sure Kids Get Eye Exams
The lower the household income, the less likely it is for children to receive needed eye exams. The income effect was independent of insurance status, a study found.
Parents Feel Better About HPV Shots For Preteens If They Can Opt Out
The HPV vaccine prevents cancer, but in a survey most parents said they don't want it to be required for school. They're much happier with a mandate if they're given an opportunity to opt out.
For Pete's Sake, Don't Sleep Or Swim In Your Contact Lenses
Contact lenses seem safe and easy, but a CDC analysis shows people can get serious eye infections from them. The usual culprits: wearing them too long and failing to be meticulous about cleaning.
To Fight Off Diabetes, Latina Women Find Power In A Group
La Comunidad, a grassroots effort in Winston-Salem, N.C., offers treatment to a population at high risk of developing diabetes. Group meetings led by non-medical facilitators help reduce costs.