Reuters - Health Report

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Tuesday, May 2, 2017

White House seeks quick vote on healthcare overhaul but hurdles remain

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top aides to President Donald Trump on Monday predicted the House of Representatives would move this week to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system, though Republicans remained divided on how to protect sick Americans from insurance price hikes.

AstraZeneca immunotherapy wins first approval in bladder cancer

(Reuters) - U.S. regulators have approved AstraZeneca's key immunotherapy drug durvalumab as a treatment for bladder cancer, marking the first commercial green light for a product the company hopes will go on to sell billions of dollars.

Japan wrestles over smoking ban as Olympics loom

TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo risks being one of the unhealthiest Olympic Games hosts in years, as an anti-smoking law exposes deep rifts over tobacco tax revenue, personal freedom and the dangers of passive smoking, which kills thousands of Japanese each year.

Many U.S. babies and toddlers still don’t have a balanced diet

(Reuters Health) - Despite some recent improvements in how U.S. parents feed young children, more than half of babies aren’t getting any breast milk and many toddlers don’t eat enough fruits and veggies, a new study suggests.

Bullying may be decreasing in U.S. schools

(Reuters Health) - The various efforts used to curb bullying in U.S. schools may be working, a new study suggests.

Tenet posts smaller loss; to sell hospitals to HCA

(Reuters) - Tenet Healthcare Corp, which reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss on Monday, said it would sell three of its Houston-based hospitals to larger rival HCA Holdings Inc.

Can fasting help with weight loss?

(Reuters Health) - People who fast every other day won’t necessarily lose more weight than dieters who cut calories in other ways, a U.S. study suggests.

Disability can linger years after mild wartime brain injuries

Military service members who sustain concussions in combat may experience worsening symptoms for several years after their injuries, particularly if they have psychiatric problems, a small U.S. study suggests.

U.S. Congress secures health benefits for coal miners

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government and coal companies will be required to pay out healthcare to retired coal miners, guaranteeing benefits to workers even as coal companies face bankruptcy, after Congress on Sunday reached a fiscal spending agreement for 2017.

Home blood pressure monitors may not be accurate enough

(Reuters Health) – Even as doctors are increasingly relying on home blood pressure monitoring to manage patients with hypertension, many of the devices are too inaccurate to be useful, according to a small study.