A nearly four month long salmonella outbreak appears to be over. The FDA says the largest outbreak of food poisoning in a decade has ended and consumers can resume eating Mexican jalapeno and serrano peppers. The unusual strain of Salmonella started popping up back in April and made more than 1, 400 people sick.

People tempted to quit taking their statin drugs because they failed to prevent a heart attack should think twice. Canadian researchers report heart attack survivors who stopped taking the cholesterol-lowering medication were more likely to die during the following year than those who had never taken the drugs. About 30-percent of patients prescribed the medication stop taking it within the first year.

Light exercise may help stroke victims recover according to a new study. Researchers found that walking on a treadmill three times a week helped stroke survivors improve their mobility and physical conditioning. One patient even saw improvements two decades after his stroke.

Breast feeding appears to have benefits for moms too. Researchers say certain types of breast cancer may be rarer among women who breastfeed their babies for at least six months. They think it's because new mothers are exposed to fewer hormones which could help prevent certain types of the disease.

New research claims mental skills fade earlier than once thought. Simple tests of perception, mental acuity, and verbal function showed that some cognitive skills begin fading as much as fifteen years before death. Previous studies suggested such a decline began around five years before death.

According to a new study men who are slimmer in middle age are at greater risk of having osteoporosis later in life. The analysis also found while losing weight between one's 40s and 70s increased osteoporosis risk, weight gain reduced it.

Benign skin cancers may be a red flag for greater danger. A new study finds people with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer face twice the risk of developing other malignancies. Researchers say the increased risk is greater in younger people and suggestes those who get less serious forms of skin cancer may be more cancer-prone in general.

According to a new report, California's anti-smoking campaign has saved 86-billion-dollars in health care costs over its first 15 years, about a 50-fold return on what they've spent on the initiative. Unlike most strategies that center on teens, the California program focuses its efforts on adults through an aggressive media campaign and changes in public policy, such as promising smoke-free environments.

Infections of amniotic fluid are more common than previously believed and may be a major cause of pre-mature births. Researchers think bacteria in the fluid may somehow cause babies to be born earlier than they should premature births have long been linked to health problems that often last a lifetime. About 12-percent of all births in the U-S are pre-mature, a rate that's been steadily increasing over the past decade.

Uninsured Americans are paying billions for healthcare. People living in the US who DON'T have health insurance will pay 30 billion dollars this year for care. A new study suggests that uninsured Americans will also receive 56 billion dollars worth of free care. Government programs pay for nearly three-quarters for the bills for those uninsured people.

The risk of most cancers seems to decrease after age 80. While previous research has linked old age with many different kinds of disease, new analysis indicates nearly all cancers peak at age 80. It's probably a combination of factors: diet changes, less use of alcohol and tobacco, and lower body weight as we get older.

As many as a quarter of chronic, daily headaches may be caused by major stress, such as financial problems, a serious illness, or a death in the family. A new study found people who suffer from headaches at least every other day were MUCH more likely to have gone through some traumatic life-changing event within the past two years. Researchers also found men and women who suffered the most were usually at least 40 years old.

There's possible new relief for women battling the symptoms of menopause. Researchers in India say practicing yoga may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats and sharpen mental function. To test the theory, 120 menopausal women were assigned to either practice yoga or undertake another program of stretching and strengthening exercises. The study showed that those who did yoga lessened their symptoms of menopause while those in the other group did not.

Turning the TV off may help your kids stay thin. Researchers say children are more likely to be overweight if they don't exercise and spend more than two hours a day watching tv and playing video games. Despite that strong evidence, the study also found that most kids do not limit their TV time to less than two hours.

New research on patients with Alzheimer's disease shows electrical stimulation of their brains may help improve their symptoms. The treatments helped the patient's memory and recognition. The study shows the improvement could be measured after just one treatment.

Measles cases are at their highest since 1996. Already this year, there have been 131 reported cases, with 15 serious enough to put kids in the hospital. Health officials say the outbreak's been driven by parent's refusal to have their children vaccinated, usually out of fear that vaccines may cause conditions such as autism.

The C-D-C says there's no evidence the vaccines are unsafe. Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins appear to neither cause cancer nor prevent it. Some earlier research indicated statins may be a cancer risk, but a new analysis of 15 large studies has found no link. Instead concluding patients on the drugs were at high-risk for cancer for other reasons.

And some good and bad news in the fight against obesity. The good news scientists have discovered that a drug used to treat addiction helps the body quickly shed unnecessary weight. The bad news it only works in rats. There’s little chance the drug can ever be used in people, but it does give researchers some clues into the connection between the brain and how addiction affects over-eating.

More Americans than ever are struggling to pay medical bills. According to a new survey, more than 40-percent of Americans aged 19 to 64 say they had trouble paying for health care last year, with some slipping far enough behind to face collection agencies. In order to pay the bills, nearly one-third of those surveyed said they'd either gone without necessities or had run up credit card debt, and 10-percent said they’d taken out a new loan or mortgage.

The vaccine for cervical cancer may not be cost-effective for women in their 20s and older. Guardasil is routinely recommended for 11 and 12-year old girls to protect them from sexually-transmitted viruses that cause the cancer. But Harvard researchers say most women in their 20s are already sexually active, so for them, the vaccine isn't usually worth it.

Scientists have developed a way to grow large quantities of blood in a lab using stem cells. But experts caution that although it's a significant advance, the new approach requires several key improvements before it can be considered a realistic alternative to blood donated from people.

As young people head back to college, there's a growing debate about the drinking age. The presidents of 100 schools have called on lawmakers to considering LOWERING it from 21 to 18. Arguing the current law encourages binge drinking. But many advocate groups including Mothers Against Drunk Driving say the older drinking age saves lives.

The obesity epidemic in America is just getting worse. According to a new report, obesity rates increased in 37 states last year and there were NO decreases in any states. An estimated two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese that compares to just 15-percent in 1980.

Fewer American women than ever in their 40s have children. According to Census data, the number of women aged 40 to 44 with no children has increased from 10 to 20-percent over the last 3 decades. And those who did have kids had an average of just under 2, more than one less than they did in 1976.

Researchers have run into a roadblock in developing stem cell treatments. They've found human embryonic stem cells trigger an immune response in mice that could be a problem if the same thing happens in people. Common anti-rejection drugs can take care of the problem, but it's more evidence stem cells may NOT get a free pass from the body's immune system.

Low levels of vitamin D can boost women’s risk of hip fracture by more than 70-percent. Hip fractures can be devastating for the elderly. Half of older people who suffer one end up in a nursing home and 20-percent die within the first year due to complications.

Teens who don't get enough sleep are at increased danger of high blood pressure. A new study's found teenagers who slept less than 6-and-a-half hours a night had more than twice the risk of hypertension and those who got poor-quality sleep had more than triple the risk. On average, researchers found teens got about 7-and-a-half hours of sleep a night most experts say they need nine at that age.

Clues to fighting the NEXT flu pandemic may be found 9 decades in the past. Researchers report antibodies from survivors of the 1918 pandemic the worst in human memory still protect against the highly deadly virus. The findings suggest new and better ways to fight the flu, especially strains that emerge and spread before a vaccine can be developed.

It’s easier for teens to illegally obtain powerful prescription drugs than it is get beer. According to a new survey, nearly 20-percent of teenagers say they have less of a problem getting medications such as OxyContin or Vicodin on the street than they do beer, cigarettes, or marijuana.

The anti-smoking drug Chantix appears more effective than the nicotine patch in helping smokers finally kick the habit. A new study's found 56-percent of those taking Chanitx for 12 weeks were cigarette free during the last month of treatment. That compares to 43-percent of patients using the patch.

Many people who need the advice to exercise just aren't getting it. A new study's found two-thirds of doctors don't tell their high blood pressure patients about the importance of staying fit. Over 70-percent of hypertension patients see a significant drop in their blood pressure when they increase their physical activity.

A lack of energy shouldn't always be dismissed as just a normal part of aging. Researchers studying older people who were often so tired they spent most of their day on the couch or napping found they had greater rates of arthritis, heart problems, and other health issues. Advocates hope the findings push doctors to be more attentive to this common complaint.

Children who suffer ear infections may have bigger problems later in life. New research suggests chronic ear infections can damage taste nerves, leading to a greater craving for fatty foods, which could increase the risk of obesity in adulthood.

Americans appear to be drinking less alcohol. New study results show that younger people drink less than their older counterparts and that alcohol consumption tends to decrease with age. The biggest declines were seen in beer and wine, while consumption of hard liquor has remained largely unchanged.

Government researchers report bad reactions to antibiotics cause almost 150-thousand visits to the emergency room every year. 78-percent of them were caused by allergies and the remaining 22-percent by errors and overdoses. The C-D-C says the findings offer another reason for doctors to limit their use of the drugs.

New radiation techniques can zap cancer that's spread to other parts of the body. Clinical trials showed the new therapy stopped all tumors in 20-percent of patients for anywhere between 10 months and more than 2 years. Experts hope the new approach can significantly extend the lives of patients who have run out of options.

If you think prescription drugs are expensive now, just wait. Already this year the average price of 17 brand-name drugs has increased 100-percent, and another 64 popular medications are expected to double within months. Pharmaceutical companies argue the cost hikes are necessary to keep the products on the market, but some analysts are now calling on Congress to legislate limits on how much prices can go up within just a couple months.

The eyes may offer some important early clues into heart disease. Damage to tiny blood vessels in the retina appear to be some of the disease's first symptoms. According to new research, people with a type of eye damage known as retino-pathy are nearly twice as likely to die of heart disease over the next 12 years than those without it.

Women who survive breast cancer for 5 years after treatment have a relatively low risk of the disease recurring. One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind has found women with serious stage-3 breast cancer have only a 13-percent risk of the cancer returning. Stage-2 patients had an 11-percent chance, and stage-1 patients just 7-percent.

There's a new warning about some popular heartburn and acid reflux medications. A second major study has linked long-term use of drugs like Prevacid, Prilosec, and Nexium to a greater risk of bone fracture. Researchers report older adults who took these drugs for 5 years were 1-and-a-half times more likely to suffer hip fractures. Those who took the drugs for more 7 years were 4-and-a-half times more likely.

Extra pounds don't always translate into heart risk. A new survey's found nearly a third of obese Americans appear to be heart healthy. And being lean doesn't necessarily protect people either. Close to a quarter of average-weight U-S adults had risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.

It may be possible to out-run death at least for awhile. New research indicates middle-aged runners may be half as likely to die over a 20-year period as people who don't lace up their jogging shoes. Researchers say running appears to reduce the risk not only of heart disease, but of cancer and Alzheimer’s as well.

Doctors often aren't doing enough to help fight heart disease. A new survey's found many aren't following guidelines designed to manage high-risk patients. The guidelines include both treatment choices and basic lifestyle advice on eating healthy and exercising.

Standard testing for prostate cancer may not be reliable for obese men. Researchers believe that because these men have more blood in their system, the tell-tale protein that testing looks for may be diluted. As a result, the disease is often in an advanced stage by the time it’s detected.

More evidence of the benefits of breast-feeding. British researchers say children who are breast-fed seem to cope with anxiety more effectively when they reach school age. They think the physical contact between mother and baby in the first few days of life helps the brain to better adapt to stressful situations.

More Americans than ever want serious health care reform. A new survey’s found more than 80-percent think the system needs either fundamental change or a complete overhaul. Access to care, better coordination between health providers, and a better flow of information were the chief complaints.

The emergency room is increasingly becoming a place to sit around and wait. According to federal statistics, the average time E-R patients wait to see a doctor has risen from 38 minutes to almost an hour over the past decade. Analysts say it’s simple supply and demand: there are more patients than ever while the number of emergency rooms has dropped.

Exercise can reduce the risk of colon cancer, but not many seem to know it. A new study’s found a very active lifestyle can cut the danger of the disease by nearly 40-percent, but just 15-percent of people are aware of this benefit.

For many Americans hitting the hay means popping a pill. A nationwide survey's found almost 1 in 5 took prescription or over-the-counter drugs at least once a week to help them sleep, and nearly a quarter of those people became dependent on the medication. Advocates are pushing for a new emphasis on alternatives to drugs, such as muscle relaxation techniques and avoiding food and alcohol before bedtime.

Just one puff may be enough. Researchers have identified a region of the brain that appears to determine who can get hooked on nicotine after only one cigarette. The discovery could lead to drugs that block the brain response that causes addiction.

A new government survey's sounded a major warning about the growing obesity epidemic. If the trends of the past 4 decades continue, researchers warn EVERY American could be overweight within 40 years. Two-thirds of the population is already considered too heavy.

A federal task force is now recommending men over 75 NOT be screened for prostate cancer. They say many prostate cancers grow so slowly that men who have them are more likely to die from some other cause and may suffer more from the treatment than from the cancer itself. But other experts say not all 75-year-old men are the same and worry the new guidelines will discourage many who might benefit from getting tested.

It’s the height of summer, but flu season's right around the corner. U-S health officials have approved 6 versions of the flu vaccine to fight the virus later this year. Flu outbreaks can start as early as October and last through May.

Even infants can have weight problems. A new study's found overweight babies are at increased risk for developmental delays and possibly breathing problems, such as asthma. The research also found in most cases, parents were unaware their child was overweight.

The most important meal of the deal may be more important for some than for others. The benefits of breakfast appear to be different in boys and girls. New research indicates boys score worse on memory tests and report being in a worse mood when they go to school without eating, but the same effect was not found in girls.

More psychiatrists than ever are trading in their couch for a prescription pad. Analysts say the shift to a heavier reliance on medication instead of psycho-analysis is linked to both better drugs and increased financial incentives for doctors to see as many patients as they can.

Eating fish fights so-called "silent" brain damage. A new study's found older adults who regularly eat fish may have a lower risk of subtle brain damage that contributes to both stroke and dementia as long as the fish isn't fried.

One big reason behind the country’s obesity epidemic isn’t all that complicated. Americans are just eating more. In 1970, the average U-S adult consumed 16-and-a-half pounds of food a week. By 2006, that had risen to 18-point-2 pounds. And the kinds of food feeding the increase are the same that make people fatter unhealthy oils and cheeses, and a big surge in fast foods

Congress wants a closer look at the popular cholesterol drug Vytorin. Some recent research suggested the drug resulted in higher cancer rates. Now a House committee investigating the safety of prescription drugs wants to see the analysis for themselves.

Terminal cancer patients often aren’t getting all the information they need about chemotherapy. A new study indicates many of them aren’t clearly informed by their doctor that chemo while it won’t cure their disease - may make their lives more tolerable.

Exercise in a pill may sound like science fiction but researchers are working on making it a reality. They’re developed 2 different drugs that reproduce many of the benefits of exercise, such as helping cells burn fat or boosting endurance. So far they’ve succeeded only with mice but hope one day to give people the option to pop a pill instead of taking a jog. Until then hit the treadmill.

Flu vaccines offer seniors far less pneumonia protection than previously thought. Some earlier research indicated the elderly are up to 40-percent less likely to need hospital treatment for pneumonia IF they had gotten a flu shot. But a large new study’s found no such link.

Wall Street's big downturn's good for at least one group of people psychotherapists. Reuters reports more traders and investment bankers than ever are making a beeline for a doctor's couch after increased anxiety and stress brought on by tough economic times.