Legionnaires’ Outbreak: What New Yorkers Need to Know

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Legionnaires’ Outbreak: What New Yorkers Need to Know

It seems New Yorkers are beginning to worry in response to the seven people who have died from the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak this week in the Bronx. Even though all of the victims were older adults with other underlying medical conditions, young people can become infected as well if the disease lives in a concentrated area, usually a building. A total of 81 cases were reported and 64 of those infected have been hospitalized.

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FDA warning: Risk of heart attack and stroke with some painkillers

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FDA warning: Risk of heart attack and stroke with some painkillers

The Food and Drug Administration is strengthening warnings on some common painkillers saying they cause increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The FDA conducted a review on new safety information and now want the drug makers to change the warning labels on certain NSAIDs. NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are over-the-counter or prescription medications such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, or Celebrex.

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Doctors prescribing painkillers often leads to heroin

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Doctors prescribing painkillers often leads to heroin

Heroin use has been increasing at an alarming rate. The number of people who have died as a result of heroin use has nearly quadrupled in the last decade.  What is the reason for the significant increase in heroin deaths? Firstly, the drug is getting cheaper. Secondly, more and more people are becoming addicted to prescription painkillers after having surgery or simply taking them for recreational use. Many people often end up using heroin once their doctor will no longer provide them with a prescription. 

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California Moves to Ban Religious and Personal Vaccine Exemptions

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California Moves to Ban Religious and Personal Vaccine Exemptions

Lawmakers have taken first step in limiting vaccination exemptions for schoolchildren. Bill approved late June. Prohibits parents from stopping their children from being vaccinated for personal or religious reasons.

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Samadi's Take on Supreme Court Ruling for Obamacare: Patients and Doctors are Left Confused

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Samadi's Take on Supreme Court Ruling for Obamacare: Patients and Doctors are Left Confused

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled in favor, with a 6-3 decision, to uphold the Obamacare authorization of federal tax credits for eligible Americans living not only in states with their own exchanges but also in the 34 states with federal exchanges.  

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Obama Wins: Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare

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Obama Wins: Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has saved Obamacare for a second time, writing the majority opinion Thursday that upheld the health care law’s key provision of paying tax subsidies to customers in all states and saying the law otherwise would be a mess — something he doubted Congress intended.

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The Right to Choose...A Baby's Gender?

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The Right to Choose...A Baby's Gender?

A debate has sparked in light of rumors that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West had quite the pre-pregnancy (pre-in vitro fertilization) plan to ensure they would have a baby boy. It's brought on a lot of questions about whether or not an individual should have the right to choose or in this case "plan" the exact gender destiny of their child-to-be. The couple is denying the claims but let's explore this topic. 

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New Study: Health Benefits to Conservation Policies

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New Study: Health Benefits to Conservation Policies

Research from Duke University shows that conservation policies aimed at improving the  environment can also improve human health. Researchers estimate 24% of the global burden of disease is due to poor environmental quality. 

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Feds Charge Over 200 People with Medicare Fraud

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Feds Charge Over 200 People with Medicare Fraud

Federal officials have charges over 200 individuals, including health care professionals, with Medicare fraud. What does this mean? We explore.

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FDA Warned Opana Drugmaker of Dangers for Abusers

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FDA Warned Opana Drugmaker of Dangers for Abusers

FDA warned drugmaker about dangers of pain pill injection —a newer version of painkiller Opana. This new form of a pain killer could be driving addicts to inject the drug leading to the spread of HIV.

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FDA Approved Drug to Lower Cholesterol

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FDA Approved Drug to Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a proponent of heart disease and stroke. We know lowering LDL levels is essential. The FDA has approved a new cholesterol lowering drug. Will it work? Here's what you need to know. 

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Politically correct medical schools Dangers of government's heavy involvement in your healthcare

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Politically correct medical schools Dangers of government's heavy involvement in your healthcare

Premed students’ biggest fear is taking the MCAT. After 25 years, the MCAT is being revised, becoming longer (by three hours) and covering a broader range of topics than simply chemistry, physics and biology.

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What you need to know about Mers

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What you need to know about Mers

MERS or (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) is caused by a caronavirus which is the same family of viruses that cause the common cold. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, MERS tends to spread due to having close contact with an ill person.

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Health insurers seek big premium hikes for Obamacare in 2016

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Health insurers seek big premium hikes for Obamacare in 2016

Dozens of health insurers selling plans under ObamaCare have requested hefty premium increases for 2016. Here's what you need to know.

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South Korea Reports 2 Deaths from Mers

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South Korea Reports 2 Deaths from Mers

South Korea reported its first two deaths from an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that has infected 25 people in two weeks, as public alarm grew and officials scrambled to contain the outbreak.

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U.S. Military Accidentally Sends Live Anthrax

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U.S. Military Accidentally Sends Live Anthrax

U.S. lab workers were surprised when inactive spores they expected to receive was actually samples of live anthrax. The mistake may have affected 9 labs across the U.S.

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#Freethesunscreens Calls President Obama to Help Fight Against Skin Cancer

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#Freethesunscreens Calls President Obama to Help Fight Against Skin Cancer

The hashtag campaign #FREETHESUNSCREENS on Twitter has created a lot of awareness around May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month and even called on President Obama to join the fight against this very common and aggressive cancer. 

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Underinsurance Equals Less Prevention for Common Diseases

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Underinsurance Equals Less Prevention for Common Diseases

Some might say we've come a long way when it comes to health insurance. Almost 84% of the American population has coverage, still leaving 17% without. But issues for those who have coverage is still a huge problem. New findings from the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that studies health care, are shining a light on the realities of underinsurance. 

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FDA warns about new class of diabetes drugs

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FDA warns about new class of diabetes drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on Friday that a widely used new class of type 2 diabetes drugs may cause high levels of blood acids dangerous enough to put people in the emergency room. 

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Obama Administration Mandate: Insurance Must Cover Contraception and Preventive Screening Methods

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Obama Administration Mandate: Insurance Must Cover Contraception and Preventive Screening Methods

On Monday, the Obama administration released statement that Barack Obama’s Health Care Law requires insurance companies to cover every type of birth control approve by the FDA, without requiring patients to have a co-pay or deductible.

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