America's favorite birth control method turns 50

A world without "the pill" is unimaginable to many young women who now use it to treat acne, skip periods, improve mood and, of course, prevent pregnancy. They might be surprised to learn that U.S. officials announcing approval of the world's first oral contraceptive were uncomfortable.

"Our own ideas of morality had nothing to do with the case," said John Harvey of the Food and Drug Administration in 1960.

The pill was safe, in other words. Don't blame us if you think it's wicked.

Sunday, Mother's Day, is the 50th anniversary of that provocative announcement that introduced to the world what is now widely acknowledged as one of the most important inventions of the last century. More

Developing test to warn smokers of cancer danger

Scientists may have found a way to tell which smokers are at highest risk of developing lung cancer: measuring a telltale genetic change inside their windpipes.

A test based on the research is being developed in hopes of detecting this deadly cancer earlier, when it's more treatable.

And if the work pans out, the next big question is: Might it even be possible to reverse this genetic chain reaction before it ends in full-blown cancer? The researchers found a tantalizing early hint among a handful of people given an experimental drug.

"They're heading toward lung cancer, and we can identify them with this genomic test," said Dr. Avrum Spira of Boston University School of Medicine, who led the research published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine.  More

No More Fairytales

At the risk of making it seem as if dedication and consistency are the only routes to successful weight loss, let’s acknowledge that there are exceptions to every rule. There is someone out there who lost weight without the commitment and without putting in the work. We all hate her, but she does exist. And while we’re being up front and honest with ourselves, let’s also agree that while it’s not impossible for the little magic pill to work wonders, it is highly improbable. Fair enough?

Main Course-Weight Training
Weight training or strength training refers to the use of equipment that allows variable resistance. This resistance can be in the form of "free weights" like barbells and dumbbells, machines that use cables or pulleys to help you lift the weight or exercises like pull-ups or dips that rely on your own body weight. If you’re new to lifting weights, you should rely on a certified personal trainer to show you the ropes, but here are some general guidelines: More

SPIRA'S CONTROVERSIAL RUNNING SHOES SPRING INTO THE LIMELIGHT

(Tell Us USA) - Have you wondered who makes those bright yellow running shoes that the elite long distance athletes wear? The answer is simple. Stinger Bees! What was once a shoe worn only by world class marathon runners are now showing up on city streets across the country.  Laced up on the feet of the dedicated weekend jogger or runners training for the fall marathon, athletes are turning to the SPIRA Running Shoe for its technological design which improves endurance and performance while helping to reduce the risk of injury in areas of the foot, knee and back. More

‘Man up! Let’s Talk Health’ campaign holds Sept. 26 events

Radio-thon, information designed to promote better health

DETROIT, MI - African American men from across Southeast Michigan will be encouraged to become more proactive with their health during events being held across Detroit on Saturday, September 26 as part of the ‘Man Up! Let’s Talk Health’ campaign.

The campaign’s sponsors, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the American Cancer Society and the Michigan Department of Community Health, will host a radio-thon from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Smooth Jazz WVMV 98.7. Listeners will be encouraged to visit one of three sites Saturday where they can get information on how to work toward better health.  More

DETROIT HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDING FLU SHOTS

The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion (DHWP) will offer flu shots at various locations in Detroit starting the week of Monday, September 14 (see list below). Vaccine will also be available at DHWP walk-in clinics. City of Detroit residents, particularly those considered high priority for getting flu shots, are encouraged to get their vaccinations as soon as possible.

The vaccine is free to card-carrying Medicaid or Medicare (Part B) members. Those without coverage must pay a nominal service fee of $10 for the shot.

For more information or a list of DHWP walk-in clinics, please call the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion Immunization Program at (313) 876-4334.

Achoo! Pollen at its worst in years in many areas


In a Monday, April 5, 2010 photo, yellow and green pollen cover the leaves of a Japanese Red Maple in north Raleigh, N.C. . From Florida to Texas to Colorado, 2010 is shaping up to be a monster of an allergy season. Everywhere, it seems, is covered in a fine yellow dust that irritates our lives. Experts say it's the worst they've seen in years. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)

Pollen: It's on your car, in the air and especially in your sinuses.

From Florida to Texas to Colorado, 2010 is shaping up to be a monster of an allergy season. The words "pollen" and "allergy" are among the top 10 trending topics on Twitter in several U.S. cities. Everywhere, it seems, is covered in a fine yellow dust that irritates our lives. Experts say it's the worst they've seen in years in many areas.

"It's wicked bad this year," said Dr. Mona Mangat, an allergy specialist in St. Petersburg, Fla., who can't recall a worse year in the six she's worked there. "We're just overwhelmed with patients right now. We're double- and triple-booked with new patients, trying to work people in because we know how much people are suffering."

This year is especially bad in the Southeast, weather experts say, likely due to winter's unseasonably cold weather.   More

New health advice: Skip mammograms in 40s, start at 50


Most women don't need a mammogram in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50, a government task force said Monday. It's a major reversal that conflicts with the American Cancer Society's long-standing position.

Also, the task force said breast self-exams do no good and women shouldn't be taught to do them.

For most of the past two decades, the cancer society has been recommending annual mammograms beginning at 40.

But the government panel of doctors and scientists concluded that getting screened for breast cancer so early and so often leads to too many false alarms and unneeded biopsies without substantially improving women's odds of survival. More

Feds to stop prosecuting medical marijuana users

Packets of marijuana buds are shown for sale at the San Francisco Medical Cannabis Clinic in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)



Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department.

Under the policy spelled out in a three-page legal memo, federal prosecutors are being told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.   More