National Health News Headlines

It's OK, mom and dad, to talk with your children who are college students. That call, text or email may help them eat right and get some exercise.   more »»

Vitamin C may not be a way to control gout after all. Some previous studies suggested vitamin C could lower uric acid levels. A new study says that doesn't happen.   more »»

If you've got high blood pressure, you might want to get rid of your mobile phone, cut out the salt and take a few yoga classes.   more »»

Regularly taking prescription painkillers for back pain is associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction in men, according to a study published in the journal Spine.   more »»

Last year was the deadliest year for West Nile virus since it first showed up in the United States back in 1999. Though all 48 continental states reported cases, Texas was the hardest hit.   more »»

A national survey shows that nearly half of all teen drivers text while they are behind the wheel. That's bad enough, but the survey also found that those drivers are more likely to drink and drive.   more »»

Vietnam era veterans, who were exposed to Agent Orange, appear to have a higher risk of developing a deadly form of prostate cancer.   more »»

If you've got a high stress job, it's even more important than ever to have a healthy lifestyle in order to protect your heart.   more »»

A dog really may be man's and woman's best friend. Owning a pet, particularly a dog, could reduce your risk of heart disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement.   more »»

A fire retardant that was mostly pulled from the market back in 2004 may still be causing problems for pregnant women and their children.   more »»

People with higher levels of cadmium in their urine appear to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to die of liver disease than those with lower levels, according to a study.   more »»

Certain migraine medications can result in lower IQ scores for children whose mothers took the drugs during their pregnancies.   more »»

Suicide deaths have surpassed deaths from motor vehicle crashes in recent years in the United States. The climb in suicide rates is led by a large rise among middle-aged Americans in the last decade.   more »»

The oldest way of cleaning a pacifier, by putting it in your own mouth, may actually help keep your baby from developing allergies.   more »»

Getting a good night's sleep is important for your health. Poor sleep has been linked to accidents, heart disease and more. It's now being linked to a greater risk of prostate cancer.   more »»

The Food and Drug Administration wants warning signs put on tanning beds to make sure people, especially teens, know that tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer.   more »»

We all know that skipping a meal can make us extra hungry. Now a study shows that if you go shopping like that, not only will you sabotage your diet, you'll also mess up your budget.   more »»

Researchers have uncovered firm evidence for what many mothers have long suspected: fathers just don't react to a baby's cry the way mothers do.   more »»

Electrical fires remain one of the top causes of home structure fires. They cause about 50,000 fires each year, according to a new report by the National Fire Protection Association.   more »»

Only about one in five adults is getting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government's physical activity recommendations.   more »»

Note: Some of these reports concern ongoing medical studies. Such studies may not be the final word on a subject.