Patti Neighmond

African Americans Remain Hardest Hit By Medical Bills

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:56:00 +0000

For many years, high medical bills have been a leading cause of financial distress and bankruptcy in America. That pressure may be easing ever so slightly, according to a survey released earlier this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But 1 in 5 Americans still face hardships due to medical costs — and African-Americans continue to be the hardest hit.

A poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health found that 24 percent of African-American families say they've had problems paying for needed prescription drugs.

Overweight People Are More Apt To Ditch Doctors

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 27 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Patients struggling with obesity can have a tough time finding the right doctor, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Patients often complain that their primary care doctor is too judgmental or harsh with them about their weight," says Dr. Kimberly Gudzune, an internal medicine physician at Johns Hopkins. She sees lots of overweight and obese patients who want to lose weight, but feel that their doctor isn't supporting them in that effort.

How To Turn Down The Heat On Fiery Family Arguments

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:26:00 +0000

All parents are bound to disagree, argue or even raise their voices with each other.

But psychologists say parents can minimize the negative impact of their arguments on their children.

How Exercise And Other Activities Beat Back Dementia

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:04:00 +0000

The numbers are pretty grim: More than half of all 85-year-olds suffer some form of dementia.

But here's the good news: Brain researchers say there are ways to boost brain power and stave off problems in memory and thinking.

In other words, brain decline is not necessarily an inevitable part of aging. "It's simply not pre-destined for all human beings," Bryan James tells Shots. He's an epidemiologist at the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago.

Study Hints Vitamin D Might Help Curb High Blood Pressure

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:20:00 +0000

We've heard many claims in the past decade — and much debate — about the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of conditions as varied as brittle bones, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia.

Now researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston have what they think may be another tantalizing lead: Their study suggests moderate doses of vitamin D supplements might help reduce high blood pressure.

It w

Postpartum Depression Affects 1 in 7 Women

Patti Neighmond — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:35:00 +0000

It's well documented that some women suffer depression after having a baby. But it's less well-known just how many do.

The largest study to date shows that as many as 1 in every 7 women suffers postpartum depression.

Selling Kids On Veggies When Rules Like 'Clean Your Plate' Fail

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:25:00 +0000

If you're a parent, you've probably heard remarks like this during dinner: "I don't like milk! My toast is burnt! I hate vegetables! I took a bite already! What's for dessert?" It can be daunting trying to ensure a healthy diet for our children. So it's no wonder parents often resort to dinner time rules.

In our new poll, with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, 25 percent of families tell their children to eat everything on their plate, and 45 percent report setting restrictions on the types of foods eaten.

How Parents Can Learn To Tame A Testy Teenager

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:38:00 +0000

If you're the parent of a teenager, this may sound familiar: "Leave me alone! Get out of my face!" Maybe you've had a door slammed on you. And maybe you feel like all of your interactions are arguments.

Kim Abraham, a therapist in private practice in Michigan, specializes in helping teens and parents cope with anger. She also contributes regularly to the online newsletter Empowering Parents. Abraham says, for starters, don't take it personally.

Teens just can't explode at their teachers or with friends, but parents are safe.

Schedule Of Childhood Vaccines Declared Safe

Patti Neighmond — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:05:00 +0000

Childhood vaccines for diseases like measles, polio and whooping cough have repeatedly been proved safe and effective. Even so, some parents still worry that the schedule of vaccinations — 24 immunizations by the age of 2 — can be dangerous.

Pictures May Speak Louder Than Words When It Comes To Smoking

Patti Neighmond — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:56:00 +0000

Researchers have found that graphic anti-smoking images may be more powerful than words alone in warning people from different income and racial groups about the dangers of smoking.

The study, from the Legacy Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, finds that bold pictorial cigarette warning labels approved by the Food and Drug Administration depicting health consequences of smoking can impact on smokers' Before getting treated for cancer, Hunter led a busy, active lifestyle.

Like Girls, Boys Are Entering Puberty Earlier

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:20:00 +0000

It's been known for a while that girls start puberty earlier than they did in the past, sometimes as young as 7 or 8. But it's been unclear whether boys also go through puberty earlier. Now, a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics helps answer that question.

Marcia Herman-Giddens is a public health researcher at the University of North Carolina.

Why It's Easier To Scam The Elderly

Patti Neighmond — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:32:00 +0000

Lots of scams come by phone or by mail, but when the scam artist is right in front of you, researchers say the clues are in the face.

"A smile that is in the mouth but doesn't go up to the eyes, an averted gaze, a backward lean" are some of the ways deception may present itself, says Shelley Taylor, a psychologist at UCLA.

Taylor wanted to know if older people recognized these visual cues as readily as younger people. She brought 119 adults older than 55 into the research lab along with 24 younger adults in their 20s.

Text Messages Help Smokers Kick The Habit

Patti Neighmond — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:21:00 +0000

Some good news about texting: A review of studies published by the Cochrane Collaboration finds that smokers trying to quit the habit are helped in a big way by supportive messages sent via text.

We all know it's really hard to quit smoking. Dr. Pamela Brar, an internist in private practice in La Jolla, Calif., says only 5 percent of smokers succeed the first time they try to quit.