Health Care Reform: Will It Empower or Perplex Consumers?

Part one of three-part series

Large Companies More Likely to Offer Dental Insurance

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Larger companies and those in more populated areas of the United States are more likely to offer dental insurance to workers, finds the first comprehensive study on the issue.

Health Tip: Recognizing a Skin Allergy

(HealthDay News) -- Allergic skin conditions may include eczema and hives. But how do you know if you have one?

Health Tip: Making Healthy Lunch Choices

(HealthDay News) -- Many types of standard lunch fare are packed with calories and fat. But there are healthier alternatives that can make for a more nutritious lunch.

Cost of Medical Malpractice Tops $55 Billion a Year in U.S.

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The cost of medical malpractice in the United States is $55.6 billion a year, which is 2.4 percent of annual health-care spending, a new study shows.

Heart Health Rises With Education in Rich Nations

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A higher level of education is associated with reduced risk of heart disease and stroke for people who live in rich countries, but not for those in low- and middle-income nations, finds a new study.

In Cities, Weak Social Ties May Boost Mental Illness

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Weak social connections, or social fragmentation, may be one of the main reasons why people raised in cities are more likely to develop schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders than those who live in rural areas, the results of a study suggest.

Lack of Sleep May Be Linked to Childhood Obesity

MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Infants and preschoolers who don't get enough sleep at night are at increased risk for later childhood obesity, a new study suggests.

Fillings, Sealants May Leach BPA Into Kids' Mouths

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The fillings and sealants that many dentists use can expose children to the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA), a new analysis indicates, but such exposure is short-lived and it remains unclear whether or not it poses a long-term health risk.

Urgent Care, Retail Clinics Offer Alternatives to ER Visits

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated 17 percent of all patients who visit U.S. hospital emergency departments could be treated at urgent care centers or retail medical clinics instead, a move that would save $4.4 billion a year in health care costs, a new U.S. study suggests.

Low-Carb Diets Heavy on Meat May Raise Health Risks

MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- A low-carbohydrate diet that derives fats and proteins from vegetable sources rather than meats is probably healthier, new research finds.

Chemicals in Rugs, Cookware May Be Linked to Raised Cholesterol in Teens

MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Common chemicals found in everything from non-stick cookware to grease-resistant food packaging appear to be associated with increases in cholesterol levels in adolescents, a new study suggests.

After $75,000, Money Can't Buy Day-to-Day Happiness

MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Money can help buy happiness -- at least if you're bringing in about $75,000 a year, new research shows.

Pancreatic Chemo Comparison Finds No Survival Boost

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy after surgery don't see improved long-term survival with the drug gemcitabine, compared with patients receiving a chemotherapy regimen consisting of fluorouracil and folinic acid, new research suggests.

Many HIV-Infected Kids Could Use Cheaper Treatment Safely

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- For HIV-infected children in the developing world, treatment choices have been limited by concerns over the possible development of resistance to drugs they received as infants during failed attempts to prevent their infection in the first place.

'Self-Embedding' Takes Teen Self-Injury to the Extreme

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The 16-year-old went to the emergency room because of a painful infection in her arm. When doctors used ultrasound on the area, they were shocked to see about 20 foreign objects under her skin, including a paper clip, a screw from a pair of eyeglasses and multiple pieces of pencil lead.

'Magic Mushroom' Hallucinogen Might Help Cancer Patients

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A controlled dose of the main ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms appears to reduce anxiety and lift spirits in people battling advanced cancer, researchers report.

Health Highlights: Sept. 7, 2010

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

H1N1 Pandemic Flu Even Milder Than Seasonal Strains

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The H1N1 pandemic flu, which swept across the United States last year, was actually no more serious than most seasonal strains, a new study confirms.

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 7, 2010

(HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Decline in Adult Smoking Stalls, Alarming Experts

TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Although the hazards of smoking are well known, 20 percent of Americans still light up, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.