Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:35:02 EST Welcome to HHS HealthBeat. Launched on July 11, 2005, this service provides health promotion and disease prevention tips 5 days a week in audio and text formats. http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/ News en-us Public Health Podcasts No Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov A survey finds treatments that don’t involve conventional medicine are pretty common. It indicates 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of people 17 and younger use complementary and alternative medicine, also known as CAM, such as herbal supplements, meditation and chiropractic. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090116a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090116a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No A survey finds treatments that don’t involve conventional medicine are pretty common. It indicates 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of people 17 and younger use complementary and alternative medicine, also known as CAM, such as herbal supplements, meditation and chiropractic. Some people love broccoli; others, not so much. But a study indicates there is something to love about broccoli and similar vegetables: they contain chemicals that can fight cancer. Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090115a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090115a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No Some people love broccoli; others, not so much. But a study indicates there is something to love about broccoli and similar vegetables: they contain chemicals that can fight cancer. When the economy turns toward trouble, finding and keeping health care coverage gets harder, too. Many people are having problems paying medical bills. Some are cutting back on care they need. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090114a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090114a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No When the economy turns toward trouble, finding and keeping health care coverage gets harder, too. Many people are having problems paying medical bills. Some are cutting back on care they need. Heart failure, when the heart loses ability to pump blood, can affect a person’s ability to be physically active. But researchers say patients who can exercise regularly could improve their heart health, and feel better about their lives. Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090113a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090113a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No Heart failure, when the heart loses ability to pump blood, can affect a person’s ability to be physically active. But researchers say patients who can exercise regularly could improve their heart health, and feel better about their lives. Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV – usually causes mild cold-like symptoms that go away on their own. But RSV can cause more serious conditions like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, especially in young children and older adults. People usually get RSV in the fall, winter, or early spring. Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090112a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090112a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No Respiratory syncytial virus – RSV – usually causes mild cold-like symptoms that go away on their own. But RSV can cause more serious conditions like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, especially in young children and older adults. People usually get RSV in the fall, winter, or early spring. You can’t taste it, smell it or see it. But carbon monoxide gas can sicken you or kill you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 450 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. And over one three-year period, over 60,000 people were treated in emergency departments. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090109a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090109a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No You can’t taste it, smell it or see it. But carbon monoxide gas can sicken you or kill you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 450 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. And over one three-year period, over 60,000 people were treated in emergency departments. Lead poisoning can cause permanent learning disabilities and behavioral problems. At very high levels, lead poisoning can cause comas, seizures and death. But lead poisoning symptoms might not be noticed at the start. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090108a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090108a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No Lead poisoning can cause permanent learning disabilities and behavioral problems. At very high levels, lead poisoning can cause comas, seizures and death. But lead poisoning symptoms might not be noticed at the start. Everybody’s entitled to an opinion, and you often can find it – stated with great conviction – on the Internet. But when your health is on the line, can you believe what you read? Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090107a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090107a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No Everybody’s entitled to an opinion, and you often can find it – stated with great conviction – on the Internet. But when your health is on the line, can you believe what you read? It looks like we’re stuck. About one third of American adults don’t do even the minimum physical activity needed for a health benefit. The proportion hasn’t changed for decades, and a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflects it. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090106a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090106a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No It looks like we’re stuck. About one third of American adults don’t do even the minimum physical activity needed for a health benefit. The proportion hasn’t changed for decades, and a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflects it. Thirdhand smoke is stuff you can smell but not see – what lingers in the air after the cigarette is out, like what you get in a smoking hotel room. And like any other smoke, it’s dangerous. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090105a.html Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov (Ira Dreyfuss) Health http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/01/20090105a.html 00:01:00 Ira.Dreyfuss@hhs.gov No Thirdhand smoke is stuff you can smell but not see – what lingers in the air after the cigarette is out, like what you get in a smoking hotel room. And like any other smoke, it’s dangerous.