Your Health

Even cleaning a bathroom daily didn't much affect the make-up of the community of microbes living there, scientists say.

What Microbes Lurked In The Last Public Restroom You Used?

2:56pm November 25, 2014

by Katherine Harmon Courage

A census of bacteria and viruses on the floors, toilets and soap dispensers of several bathrooms on a college campus turned up around 77,000 different types of organisms. Oh, joy.

People can make vitamin D when exposed to sunshine. But many people in North America never get enough sun to do that.

Vitamin D Tests Aren't Needed For Everyone, Federal Panel Says

2:55pm November 25, 2014

by Nancy Shute

There's not enough evidence that screening the general public for vitamin D deficiency helps reduce the risk of disease, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says.

Turning 21? Here's How To Avoid A Big Hike In Health Premiums

11:55am November 25, 2014

by Michelle Andrews

Coming of age can also mean a whopping 58 percent jump in the cost of your insurance. Shop carefully to pick a plan that strikes the right balance between benefits and cost.

Norma Melendez, a community health worker with City Health Works, walks along Second Avenue on her way to meet a client. City Health Works is an organization that is attempting to bring an African model of health care delivery to the United States.

Africa Inspires A Health Care Experiment In New York

5:09pm November 24, 2014

by Joe Palca

Dr. Prabhjot Singh lives and works in Harlem, a neighborhood plagued by chronic disease. He thinks an African model of health care can help — training people in the community to be health educators.

Queue Listen Now

More Squash, Less Bacon: Calculating Your Real-Life Heart Risk

1:16pm November 24, 2014

by Nancy Shute

There are lots of cardiovascular risk calculators, but they usually expect you to know your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. This one wants to know if you play tennis. And if you like bacon.

The 2 Things That Rarely Happen After A Medical Mistake

7:50am November 24, 2014

When patients are harmed by a medical error, they rarely are told about it or given an apology, according to a study based on ProPublica's Patient Harm Questionnaire.

Temperatures are taken two ways at Casablanca's airport: with an infrared body scanner (left) and a handheld thermometer (right).

You Might Be Surprised When You Take Your Temperature

5:33am November 22, 2014

by Eleanor Klibanoff

Ebola has made us all obsessed with body temperature. 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is normal, right? But what about 98.2? Or 99? And how high and low can you go on the thermometer and survive?

People use energy less efficiently as they age. Running seems to help prevent that slowdown.

To Stay Energy Efficient As You Age, Keep On Running

3:14pm November 21, 2014

by Katherine Hobson

People in their 60s who run for exercise use energy as efficiently as much younger people. That wasn't true for older people who walked instead.

The costs of diabetes aren't all as obvious as an insulin pump.

What Diabetes Costs You, Even If You Don't Have The Disease

2:04pm November 21, 2014

by Nancy Shute

Diabetes costs the United States $322 billion a year, or $1,000 for each American. That's 48 percent more than it was just five years ago.

Google Maps scored an A on PrivacyGrade.org.

Health & Safety

How Well Do Your Apps Protect Your Privacy?

8:21am November 21, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

The website PrivacyGrade rates Android apps based on the personal information they collect from you. It's another reminder that your data are constantly on the move, whether you know it or not.