News
Washington state revokes licenses of healthcare providers
Washington State Department of Health takes disciplinary actions against health care providers, including suspensions and revocations of licenses, certifications, or registrations of providers in the state — May 8 update
Health perks for top workers could trigger penalties under health law
Employers who offer more generous benefits to highly paid workers could face $100-a-day fines for every worker who doesn’t get them
Medicare data show wide variation in hospital pricing
For the first time anybody can get an idea of what their hospitals are billing Medicare for something and how much the government is paying.
Baby boomers should be tested for hepatitis C – CDC
Most people with hepatitis C don’t have any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, it can be a sign of serious liver damage.
Children, teens should not use tanning lamps – FDA
indoor tanners are 75 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors, and the risk increases with use.
Teens overeat at Subway, too
Adolescents are just as likely to consume too many calories at Subway, which they considered a healthy dining option, as at McDonald’s.
Road deaths climb in 2012, ending six-year slide
The number of people who died in traffic accidents inched up last year, reversing a downward trend in road deaths that began in 2006, according to a federal report.
Health law offers veterans new options
Many former service members have access to health care through the VA, private insurance or other programs. But having so many choices can also lead to fragmented care.
Diagnostic errors are often not mentioned but can take a serious toll
Diagnosis problems may affect 10 to 20 percent of cases, far exceeding drug errors and surgery on the wrong patient or body part, both of which receive more attention.
FDA warns pregnant women to not use certain migraine prevention medicines
Valproate medications include valproate sodium (Depacon), divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor), and their generics should never be used by pregnant women for the prevention of migraines, FDA warns.
Only one in five US adults meeting fitness goals – CDC
About 20 percent of U.S. adults are meeting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government’s physical activity recommendations.
Monday health tip: Serve up a healthy portion
Often the actual serving size of our favorite foods is significantly smaller than we assume.
When checking nutrition labels, be on the lookout for the suggested serving size.
Get support if you are a caregiver
When you are taking care of a loved one, make time to care for yourself. The emotional and physical stress of caregiving can cause health problems. An Everyday Healthy Living feature article from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Call centers for health law marketplaces to create 9K jobs
The federal health law derided as a “job-killer” by critics will create an estimated 9,000 jobs in 14 states this summer to handle consumer inquiries about new online insurance marketplaces.
Hot weather, cold water pose drowning risk
In Washington, drowning risks peak in summer months, but during the month of May, there are usually several drowning deaths on warm spring days when people, especially kids and teens, are eager to get in the water to swim, or go rafting or boating.
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