Health

Could a mouthful of squid ink replace painful dental probes for gum disease?

By Usha Lee McFarling, STAT

A University of California, San Diego, nanoengineer is developing a way, using ultrasound and squid ink, to replace the worst part of the dental exam.

Column: Why can't more American women access medications for preterm birth?

By Jodi Frances Abbott, The Conversation

There are two medications that prevent preterm birth, the most common cause of perinatal death in the U.S. Poor black women aren’t getting either.

Third dose of mumps vaccine could help stop outbreaks, researchers say

By Helen Branswell, STAT

The findings come as health officials confront large and protracted mumps epidemics that have become more common around the country.

Five governors press Congress for fast bucks to secure Obamacare market in 2018

By Julie Rovner and Rachel Bluth, Associated Press

State leaders tell senators that federal dollars are needed this fall to keep insurers participating in Obamacare next year and prevent big hikes in premiums.

seventysomething: When it's time to stop fixing life's holes

By Susie Kaufman

Deep listening is often the palliative that people are wanting and not getting.

Twitter chat: Why suicide rates are on the rise, especially among teen girls

By Lora Strum

The suicide rate among teen girls doubled from 2007-2015, reaching a 40-year high according to new analysis from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. What are the risk factors and what can parents and educators do to support teens?…

WATCH LIVE: Senate health committee holds first hearing on stabilizing Obamacare

By Alan Fram, Associated Press

Both parties must give ground to craft a compromise bill shoring up the nation's individual health insurance markets or they'll be blamed for hurting millions of consumers, the chairman of the Senate health committee said Wednesday.

St. Kitts launches probe of herpes vaccine tests on U.S. patients

By Marisa Taylor, Kaiser Health News

The vaccine research has sparked controversy because the lead investigator did not rely on traditional U.S. safety oversight while testing the vaccine.

Doctors want to give their cancer patients every chance. But are they pushing off hard talks too long?

By Bob Tedeschi, STAT

Experts say doctors who counsel immunotherapy and hold onto hopes for remission are postponing conversations about palliative care and end-of-life wishes.