Resources

Congress to probe veterans’ overdoses
- Consumer Alerts
- October 17, 2013
A CBS News investigation found that some veterans are being prescribed deadly amounts of prescription pain medications by VA hospitals after returning home from war. Ricky Green, a 43-year-old veteran of the first Gulf War, was given prescription narcotics for back pain by VA doctors in 2011. His wife, Kimberly, says he wanted to stop
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More than 1,100 have cancer after 9/11
- Consumer Alerts
- September 27, 2013
About 1,140 people have already been diagnosed with various forms of cancer as a result of exposure at Ground Zero. Treatment plans for those diagnosed will be covered by the World Trade Center Health Program. The number of eligible patients may continue to grow, since 58 other types of cancer have been added to the
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Drug-resistant bacteria pose potential catastrophe, CDC warns
- Consumer Alerts
- September 23, 2013
Antibiotic-resistant infections pose a serious danger to our health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that we may not be able to treat these infections if they continue to spread at a rapid rate. Thomas R. Friden, CDC Director, explains, "If we're not careful, the medicine chest will be empty when we
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365,000 Ford, Mercury, Lincoln vehicles recalled for steering problems
- Consumer Alerts
- September 16, 2013
The following 2005-2011 models have been recalled by Ford for corrosion that can cause the steering column lower bearing to separate: Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car. Ford will contact those who are impacted by this recall to correct the issue free of charge. Customers with questions can call Ford at
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Probiotics linked to lower risk of allergies for kids
- Consumer Alerts
- September 6, 2013
A new analysis shows that probiotics, if taken by the mother during pregnancy and followed with supplements after birth, can reduce a baby's risk of developing allergies. The same was not found to be true for babies who only received probiotics after birth. The research team from Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh says that further research
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How brushing your teeth lowers your risk of cancer
- Consumer Alerts
- September 3, 2013
Here's yet another reason to remember to brush your teeth after eating. After the link between oral sex and cancer of the throat from HPV was brought to light in recent months, new research in the journal Cancer Prevention Research has found that poor dental hygiene and gum disease are also risk factors for the
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City, feds, advocates work to warn WTC workers nationwide of looming signup deadline for aid
- Consumer Alerts
- August 30, 2013
Brian and Chandra Davis live in Tennessee, but shortly after 9/11 they left the safety of their home to go to New York and volunteer to help with the cleanup. Now they are in need of medical help after being exposed to toxins that affected those working at the site, including an estimated 100,000 volunteers.
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A Glut of Antidepressants
- Consumer Alerts
- August 20, 2013
Is depression overdiagnosed? A study, published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic, found that almost two-thirds of a sample of 5,000 patients who had been diagnosed with depression didn't actually meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (D.S.M.)'s criteria for the condition. Many patients given prescriptions for antidepressants may be taking medication for
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Cell Phones And Cancer: 2 Studies Provide New Evidence Of A Possible Link
- Consumer Alerts
- August 20, 2013
Can your cell phone cause cancer? The question was recently revisited by researchers in Israel, who found that those who used cell phones frequently had more signs of oxidative stress, which causes cell damage and harms DNA. According to Yaniv Hamzany, an ear, nose and throat specialist and lead author of the study, "It does
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Acetaminophen Linked to Fatal Skin Reactions
- Consumer Alerts
- August 20, 2013
Acetaminophen can cause dangerous skin reactions in some people, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced. The pain and fever medication can cause three types of skin diseases, with symptoms ranging from blisters to tissue damage. The two more serious diseases, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermalnecrolysis (TEN), can lead to hospitalization and even
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Bacteria in Brains Suggest Alzheimer’s-Gum Disease Link
- Consumer Alerts
- August 20, 2013
Dental hygiene may factor into the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Bacteria in your mouth, which is linked to gum disease, can get into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body, such as the brain. "The issue is to reduce the bacterial load
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New Thinking on Risky Pregnancies
- Consumer Alerts
- July 25, 2013
Many pregnant women have been told to stay in bed to prevent complications or premature birth, but new research suggests that bed rest doesn't help and may actually bring more risks. Studies have found that resting in bed can cause blood clots, muscle atrophy, bone loss, and psychological effects such as stress and depression. Some
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Surgery may not be better for spine fractures
- Consumer Alerts
- July 22, 2013
Back surgery may not be the best solution to fix fractures, according to a new study by the University of Washington. Spinal augmentation has been shown to relieve pain, but researchers found that those who had the procedure were just as likely to die or experience major complications as those who didn't have the procedure.
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The Hidden Threat in Your Workout Gear
- Consumer Alerts
- July 22, 2013
Do you wear antibacterial workout gear? This type of clothing contains nanoparticles of silver, which help to kill bacteria and fight odor, but you may be exposed to a harmful amount. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that you actually absorb the silver particles through your skin when you
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Fine Print and Red Tape in Long-Term Care Policies
- Consumer Alerts
- June 14, 2013
Many people buy long-term care insurance so they won’t burden family members when they are no longer able to care for themselves, but the process of collecting the benefits can be lengthy and overwhelming. “When insurers stop selling or exit the business, many of them hire these third-party administrators to adjudicate claims, and that is
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