 Putting Flu Vaccination on the Map
Vaccinate!" In September, at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Influenza Press Conference at the National Press Club, I had the pleasure of announcing this season's annual influenza (flu) vaccination campaign for everyone 6 months of age and older. At this event, I was also pleased to launch a new online mapping tool developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help track flu vaccination at a community level in adults 65 and older.
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NASA Mars rover finds evidence of life-friendly ancient lake
 By Irene Klotz SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Scientists have found evidence of an ancient freshwater lake on Mars well suited to support microbial life, the researchers said Monday. The lake, located inside Gale Crater where the rover landed in August 2012, likely covered an area 31 miles long and 3 miles wide, though its size varied over time. Analysis of sedimentary deposits gathered by NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shows the lake existed for at least tens of thousands of years, and possibly longer, geologist John Grotzinger, with the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, told reporters at the American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco. Analysis of clays drilled out from two rock samples in the area known as Yellowknife Bay show the freshwater lake existed at a time when other parts of Mars were dried up or dotted with shallow, acidic, salty pools ill-suited for life.
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Never Eat These FrankenFats
 Recently, the FDA issued a ban on all trans fats, deeming them unsafe for human consumption, and it's about time! For more than 20 years, the science has shown these fake FrankenFats to be hazardous to our health. Thankfully, the government has finally caught on.
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Contact Lens Effectively Delivers Glaucoma Medication, Animal Study Shows
 In the future, medication to treat eye diseases like glaucoma could be dispensed from a contact lens, new research suggests. A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a contact lens that effectively delivers latanoprost, a glaucoma treatment, in cell and animal models. ...
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The Frightening Impact Of Chronic Migraines (VIDEO)
 Nancy Girvin first experienced a migraine at the age of 12. JP Summers used to have migraines so painful she would black out. The often-misunderstood condition is "incredibly disabling," Dr. Joshua Cohen, M.D., a headache specialist and neurologist in New York City, said in a recent HuffPost Live segment. And while there isn't a cure for patients like Girvin and Summers who live with chronic migraines, there is usually something doctors can do to at least make the pain bearable, he said. However, sometimes little works. ...
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High chairs send U.S. kids to ER every hour: study
By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Every hour, on average, a child ends up in a U.S. emergency room with an injury associated with a high chair, according to a new study. Each year between 2003 and 2010, an average of about 9,500 infants and toddlers came to U.S. emergency rooms with high-chair-related injuries. "By the end of the study in 2010, there were around 11,000 kids being seen every year," Dr. Gary Smith, the study's senior author, told Reuters Health. The most common injuries associated with high chairs were so-called closed-head injuries, such as concussions.
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Merck agrees to proposed $27.7 million settlement over Fosamax lawsuits
By Nate Raymond and Jessica Dye NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck & Co Inc said on Monday that it was prepared to pay $27.7 million to settle lawsuits by hundreds of people who sued the company over allegations that its osteoporosis drug Fosamax caused bones in the jaw to deteriorate. Lawyers for Merck and plaintiffs disclosed the proposed settlement at a court hearing in New York to resolve 1,140 lawsuits pending in federal and state courts. Merck, which confirmed the agreement later on Monday, said the accord requires a 100 percent participation rate and evidence that the claimants satisfy eligibility requirements. "We hope to bring this to a successful conclusion," Paul Strain, a lawyer for Merck, said at the hearing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan before Judge John Keenan, who has presided over federal litigation by plaintiffs claiming that they developed osteonecrosis of the jaw from taking Fosamax.
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Princeton starts mass meningitis B vaccinations
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Princeton University has begun vaccinating nearly 6,000 students to try to stop an outbreak of type B meningitis in an unusual federal government-endorsed administration of a drug not generally approved for use in the United States.
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The Emotional Weight of the Holidays
There's so much to be thankful for that it's best to stay in the moment and focus on those around you, the joy they bring and the magic of this time of year.
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Expert panel recommends FDA approve Takeda bowel disease drug
 (Reuters) - An advisory panel of medical experts on Monday voted to recommend that U.S. health regulators approve an experimental drug for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. There were specific safety and efficacy questions for each of the two conditions put before the panel. It ultimately found by wide margins that the benefits outweigh the risks of the biotech drug, vedolizumab, and advised the Food and Drug Administration to approve it for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in patients who have not been helped by prior therapies. The FDA typically follows the recommendations of its expert advisory panels but is not obligated to do so.
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Pan Am 103's Lasting Legacy
 I hope that with the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing, you spend a few moments thinking of the 270 victims who died tragically but spend even more time thinking of how you can have a positive effect on those around you today. Life is short, and each day is a blessing.
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December 16 hearing set to consider Detroit bankruptcy appeals
 The U.S. judge overseeing Detroit's bankruptcy on Monday set a hearing for December 16 to consider whether to expedite appeals of his ruling that declared Detroit eligible for bankruptcy protection, allowing the appeals to proceed straight to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes will hold a hearing at 10 a.m EST (1500 GMT) to take up requests from city unions, retirees and pension funds to avert the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and go to the appeals court. Last week, Rhodes ruled that Detroit, with $18.5 billion in debt, met federal requirements for bankruptcy protection primarily because it was insolvent and negotiations with its creditors were not practical.
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Over 1K get meningitis B vaccinations at Princeton
 PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Princeton University has begun vaccinating nearly 6,000 students to try to stop an outbreak of type B meningitis in an unusual federal government-endorsed administration of a drug not generally approved for use in the United States.
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I Bow to All
 Sooner or later, just by living, we are reduced to what matters, as so many things we thought were important and irreplaceable are broken or snapped like small branches in a storm. And somehow, we stand taller with less coverings. It is then we begin to feel gratitude, even though it's hard to be grateful for what is difficult.
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U.S. FDA advisory panel backs Takeda bowel disease drug
An advisory panel of medical experts on Monday voted to recommend that U.S. health regulators approve an experimental drug for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. The panel voted by wide margins that the benefits outweigh the risks of the biotech drug, vedolizumab, and advised the Food and Drug Administration to approve it for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in patients who have not been helped by prior therapies. The FDA typically follows the recommendations of its expert advisory panels, but is not obligated to do so.
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Exclusive HuffPo Interview: The Exercise Cure - a New Book by Dr. Jordan Metzl, MD
Dr. Jordan Metzl's new book, The Exercise Cure is hitting Amazon and bookstores this week. In this review, I discuss the book and also interview Dr. Metzl on the key topics covered in the work. The book runs through a wide range of health problems and prescribes specific exercises to address each one. The book covers conditions ranging from heart disease, sexual issues and PMS to brain and psychological conditions.
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A Family's Struggle: Dealing With End of Life
 Advanced illness is unfortunately an aspect of life. While our culture no longer whispers the name of serious conditions such as cancer, we far too often go silent on the subject of dealing with a disease that is likely to take the life of someone we love.
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Shocking News: New Study Finds Obese People Less Healthy
 People say that nobody can predict the future. But you can. If you don't find yourself in the green at the intersection of normal weight and metabolically healthy, make a plan with your doctor to get there. Your future is in your hands.
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U.S. launches Spanish-language healthcare website
 The U.S. government has debuted the Spanish-language version of the healthcare website that will help Latinos to shop and sign up for new insurance plans under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law. The department will rely on feedback from Spanish-language organizations that use the site during the initial stage to improve it before it is mass marketed, said department spokeswoman Joanne Peters. The Spanish-language version of the site was delayed after the disastrous October 1 launch of HealthCare.gov, which was swamped with technical glitches and did not have enough capacity to handle all the users who went to the site to enroll.
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Move, Meditate, Write: The Yoga of Writing
 The practice of yoga asana, the practice of meditation, the practice of writing: In each of these, commitment and repetition coalesce into ritual, and ritual both holds and creates meaning. In our lives. About ourselves. In the world.
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What Do You Mean I Have to Give a Speech?
 The fear of public speaking is one that plagues many. However, more and more of us are expected, or even required, to do it on a regular basis. Here are some relatively simple tips that can make the process a little easier.
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The Weekly Rune -- Mannaz
 Mannaz -- human -- Again we have another reversed Rune presenting us with an opportunity to go deeper within. As Mannaz reminds us of the strength in human connection, the power of acting with All That Is, so it's merkstave position calls us to be aware of when we are not connected, when we don't feel part of the greater flow. Note that Mannaz is pictured upright, or bright-stave. Last week, Eihwaz encouraged us to change, and Mannaz may be asking us to sit with the effects of that change. It calls us to put down rational thinking and go with
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How to Allow Fear to Be the Powerful Tool That It Is
 Fear of having to learn equipment when you decide to start working out and getting in shape. Fear of having a child. Getting married. Switching careers or starting your own business. Instead of viewing it as a bad thing, start to see it as the powerful tool that it is.
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The Best Holiday Lights
 We are in the midst of the season of light. Regardless of our faith, we are dazzled by the display. What is the take away from the glow? When January arrives and the the lights dim and disappear, what will we remember?
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Singer Susan Boyle reveals she has Asperger's syndrome: paper
 (Reuters) - Scottish singer Susan Boyle says she has a form of autism known as Asperger's syndrome, a diagnosis she says came as a relief after years of believing she had brain damage. Boyle, 52, told the Observer newspaper in an interview published Saturday she had sought help from a Scottish specialist a year ago believing her childhood diagnosis of brain damage was incorrect. "I was told I had brain damage.
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Customer Service? Simple, Just Be of Service
 It seems as though one doesn't need any qualifications to be in the customer service arena. I think you do need some qualifications. They are: a love of helping people, enjoying one-to-one communication, and deriving some joy/satisfaction from seeing a total stranger satisfied.
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2K get meningitis B vaccinations at Princeton
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Princeton University has begun vaccinating nearly 6,000 students to try to stop an outbreak of type B meningitis in an unusual federal government-endorsed administration of a drug not generally approved for use in the United States.
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Uruguay to become first country to legalize marijuana trade
 By Malena Castaldi MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Uruguay's Senate is expected to pass a law on Tuesday making the small South American nation the world's first to allow its citizens to grow, buy and smoke marijuana. The pioneering government-sponsored bill establishes state regulation of the cultivation, distribution and consumption of marijuana and is aimed at wresting the business from criminals. Uruguayans would also be allowed to grow up to six plants of marijuana in their homes a year, or as much as 480 grams (about 17 ounces). Uruguay's attempt to undo drug trafficking is being followed closely in Latin America where the legalization of some narcotics is being increasingly seen by regional leaders as a possible way to end the violence spawned by the cocaine trade.
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Former Clinton aide Podesta joining White House to advise Obama: source
 John Podesta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, is returning to the White House to advise President Barack Obama as he struggles to regain his footing after the flawed healthcare law rollout, according to a source familiar with the issue. Podesta steered Obama's transition team in 2008 after he won the presidency. He is the chair of the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning policy group that has close ties to the Obama administration.
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A year after Newtown, Biden announces more mental health funding
 Vice President Joe Biden will announce on Tuesday a new push to increase access to mental health services with $100 million in new government funding a year after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, sparked a failed push for stronger gun control measures. Biden, who spearheaded President Barack Obama's gun control initiatives, will discuss the new money during a meeting with families of the victims of the school shooting and mental health advocates, a White House official said. The money will come from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the official said. "HHS will soon issue a $50 million funding opportunity to help Community Health Centers establish or expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness or addiction," the official said.
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Police probe Novo Nordisk for late disclosure of drug setback
By Shida Chayesteh COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk, the world's largest insulin maker, is facing a Danish police probe after it was reported by the financial watchdog for not disclosing at once that its big new product hope Tresiba had been refused U.S. approval. The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) said on Tuesday Novo should have issued a statement about the U.S. decision not to approve Tresiba, its new long-acting insulin, on the evening of Friday, February 8 instead of waiting until Sunday, February 10. The news that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had rejected Tresiba, a treatment for diabetes, and a related combination drug called Ryzodeg was a major blow to Novo and confounded the expectations of investors, who had expected a green light. Hanne Rae Larsen, head of the FSA's stock exchange division, said fines for disclosure violations were typically in the range of 50,000 to 200,000 Danish crowns ($9,000-37,000), a fraction of the 21.4 billion crowns net profit Novo made last year.
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China state media under fire for arguing benefits of smog
 Commentaries by two of China's most influential news outlets suggesting that the country's air pollution crisis was not without a silver lining drew a withering reaction on Tuesday from internet users and other media. In online commentaries on Monday, state broadcaster CCTV and the widely read tabloid the Global Times, published by the Communist Party's official People's Daily, both tried to put a positive spin on China's smog problem. The Global Times said smog could be useful in military situations, as it could hinder the use of guided missiles, while CCTV listed five "unforeseen rewards" for smog, including helping Chinese people's sense of humor. While both pieces have since been deleted from their websites, Chinese newspapers lost little time in denouncing their point of view, in an unusual case of state media criticizing other state media, showing the scale of the anger.
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Maker of faulty French breast implants given four years in jail
 By Jean-Francois Rosnoblet and Alexandria Sage MARSEILLE/PARIS (Reuters) - The founder of a French breast implant company was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday for hiding the true nature of the sub-standard silicone used in implants sold to 300,000 women around the world. Jean-Claude Mas, 74, founder and long-time chief executive of Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), was prosecuted after a worldwide panic in 2011 when France recommended that women with such implants should have them removed due to an abnormally high rupture rate. Once the third-largest global supplier of breast implants, the company was shut in 2010 and its implants ordered off the market after inspectors pursuing a tip-off discovered vats of industrial-grade silicone outside the PIP factory in the southern town of La-Seyne-sur-Mer.
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Uruguay's legal pot plan on verge of adoption
 MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguay's plan to set up a legal, regulated marijuana market has reached its final legislative stage, with the Senate expected to approve the plan by late Tuesday and send it to President Jose Mujica for his signature.
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Workout videos help 200-lb loss
Rebecca Privitera desperately wanted to lose the excess weight she had carried around her entire life. But her husband told her they couldn't afford surgery or a meal plan. 
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