Feeling young at heart may help you live longer

I just celebrated a birthday, and not the kind women like to crow about. Let’s just say I’m mid-century modern. But I feel as young and as vibrant as ever. I have energy, a zest for life, and a real sense of purpose. And it turns out …

Dr. J. on the Kindness of Strangers

Dr. J on the way to Dempster Street I have been reflecting on how much richer our lives are because of the kindness of strangers. I”m not referring to $1,000 tips to restaurant servers or being given a $10,000 mink coat through the drive-in window at Whataburger. I”…

Japan lawmakers say open to limits on casinos in push for bill’s passage

Japan’s pro-casino lawmakers have agreed to consider setting limits on Japanese nationals’ entry to casinos, bowing to pressure from opponents who threatened to block a legalization bill unless it addressed issues such as gambling addiction. Japan’s parliament is expected in the coming weeks to discuss legislation that would be …

Poll: Many Unaware How Ebola Is Spread

This KHN story can be republished for free. (details)A new survey finds the public has a lot to learn about how the Ebola virus is transmitted, which could help explain the growing fears of the disease.The survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that while nearly  all adults (97 …

Medicare subsidy helps breast cancer patients afford treatment

There’s no magic bullet in the foreseeable future for the treatment of people infected by Ebola, infectious-disease experts say. There’s no magic bullet in the foreseeable future for the treatment of people infected by Ebola, infectious-disease experts say.

Calif. ‘Report Cards’ Are Out In Time For Open Enrollment

The California Office of the Patient Advocate Wednesday released “report cards” that rate major health plans on selected clinical care services, including cancer treatment, mental health, chronic disease management and patient satisfaction.The assessments, which also include data on selected medical groups, are available online in multiple languages.The …

Dr. J’s Primer on How to Apologize: Compassion & Contrition

((CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Don/Flickr Most people apologize right after denying that there is anything for them to apologize for, or right after having been caught lying about what they are apologizing for. This is not the way to do it. At its simplest form, an appropriate apology …

What You Should Check Before Renewing Health Coverage

Several stories offer tips on renewing insurance policies for next year, including comparing your current policy to alternatives, which might offer better coverage at lower cost, and updating information about family size and income. The additional issues posed by language barriers are also explored.

Texas Hospital Official Apologizes for Lapses in Ebola Care – New York Times

New York TimesTexas Hospital Official Apologizes for Lapses in Ebola CareNew York TimesDr. Daniel Varga, the chief clinical officer for Texas Health Resources, the medical group that oversees Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, spoke at a news conference in Dallas on Wednesday. Credit Stewart F. House/Getty Images. Continue reading the ……

5 Seconds of Summer have pulled out of the Radio 1 Teen Awards

Chart-topping stars 5 Seconds of Summer have pulled out of the Radio 1 Teen Awards this weekend after the band’s drummer was taken to hospital with appendicitis. Ashton Irwin from the Australian quartet went into hospital yesterday and had his appendix removed, which means the band are unable to travel to …

Spike in ER, Hospitalization Use Short-Lived After Medicaid Expansion

This story is part of a partnership that includes KQED, NPR and Kaiser Health News. It can be republished for free. (details)While the Medicaid expansion may lead to a dramatic rise in emergency room use and hospitalizations for previously uninsured people, that increase is largely temporary and should not lead…

US Ebola Response to be Examined by Congress – Wall Street Journal

ABC NewsUS Ebola Response to be Examined by CongressWall Street JournalWASHINGTON—Congressional lawmakers will probe the U.S. response to the Ebola outbreak on Thursday amid growing fears of wider transmission after two health-care workers who treated an infected patient were diagnosed with the disease. The Dallas …CDC chief and …

Does the nose know your future health?

Smells and tastes are often sources of great pleasure. They can also spark wonderful memories. But like memories, these senses can fade, or even disappear, with age. A new study suggests that loss of smell may be a canary in the coal mine—an early warning that something else is wrong …