Christina Mattina

The dangers of tobacco to users are well-known, but today the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking advantage of World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness of how tobacco impacts non-users, the environment, and society.

A new study finds that bariatric surgery can have beneficial effects for women beyond just weight loss: it was also associated with lower risk of female-specific cancers, like breast or ovarian cancer.

Patients with peripheral artery disease can now have supervised exercise therapy covered by Medicare, according to a recent announcement by CMS.

Shortly after the FDA announced it would permit the sale of genetic tests to consumers, an editorial contends that these tests will actually contribute to the deluge of low-value, wasteful medical services that the healthcare system should try to eliminate.

Although a report from the Surgeon General has determined that the aerosol vapor from e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals like nicotine, a survey of US adults indicates that some are skeptical or unsure about the risk posed to children exposed to the vapor.

A new study in this week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report finds that people with arthritis are more likely to limit their activities due to their symptoms if they live in a rural county, indicating the need to offer targeted interventions to this population.

A new study published in Diabetes Care investigates ways to prevent driving accidents among patients with type 1 diabetes, who may be at higher risk of having such mishaps.

The Government Accountability Office has issued a report evaluating the continued public health response to the Zika virus in the US and detailing the remaining challenges and possible solutions.

In the first weeks of his tenure as FDA commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, MD, is taking action on the issue he had vowed to make his “highest initial priority:” fighting the opioid abuse epidemic and stopping the waves of overdoses across the nation.

A JAMA study has found that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who received noninvasive ventilation in addition to home oxygen therapy went longer without being readmitted to the hospital or dying than those who received only home oxygen therapy.

Although each individual rare cancer affects a small percentage of patients, the collective group of 181 rare cancers is responsible for significant disease burden in the United States.

As the weather heats up, the risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women may rise along with the temperature, according to findings from a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Every year, the week beginning with Mother’s Day is designated as National Women’s Health Week, meant to shine a spotlight on the unique health challenges affecting women in America.

The FDA has expanded the approved uses of Kalydeco (ivacaftor), which is used to treat cystic fibrosis, so it can now be used by patients with any of 33 rare gene mutations.

A new study suggests that tai chi may be as effective as traditional therapies at reducing insomnia in breast cancer survivors.

On Monday, days after he was sworn in as the new commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, MD, delivered a speech to staff acknowledging the substantial challenges the agency must tackle, but expressing an optimistic drive to “fulfill FDA’s special mission.”

A new study in JAMA has found that patient-reported pain satisfaction scores on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys are not associated with rates of opioid prescribing after surgery.

As Medicare has no limit capping out-of-pocket costs and supplemental coverage can be expensive, many beneficiaries are spending significant portions of their income out-of-pocket on medical care or premiums, according to a recent report published by the Commonwealth Fund.

According to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, black individuals living in more racially segregated neighborhoods tended to have higher blood pressure, while those who moved to less segregated areas saw their blood pressure decrease.

A new study indicates that a technology-based intervention could help patients make informed decisions about cancer screening.

If all children engaged in CDC-recommended levels of physical activity, the resulting decreases in obesity could save up to $51.5 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in lost productivity each year.

A cohort study of TRICARE patients found that those who began to use statins were more likely to be diagnosed with a back disorder.

A new report from the Urban Institute seeks to characterize the rating regions across the United States by the number of insurers offering plans in the healthcare marketplaces and found stark disparities in demographics, coverage, and price.

Recent research indicates that patients who are treated within an integrated model of care for their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have improved outcomes, as they tend to undergo IBD-related surgeries less often and are more likely to receive treatment other than steroids.

Findings from 2 Phase III trials of plecanatide were presented at Digestive Disease Week, held May 6-9 in Chicago, Illinois.

At Digestive Disease Week 2017, held May 6-9 in Chicago, Illinois, researchers presented their work to develop a capsule scope that can harness the power of magnetics and robotics to autonomously explore the colon.

A lack of diversity in study groups is a common problem in clinical trials, including those researching gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Speakers at Digestive Disease Week 2017, held May 6-9 in Chicago, discussed the roots of this issue and what they have found to address it.

Hospitalized patients who are obese are more likely to be readmitted and have longer and costlier inpatient stays, but tend to have lower mortality rates, according to new research presented at Digestive Disease Week 2017, held May 6-9 in Chicago, Illinois.

As the number of mobile health applications continues to skyrocket, a group of researchers set out to determine whether a smartphone app could prevent readmissions for patients released from the hospital after gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. The findings from the pilot study of their mHEALS app were presented at Digestive Disease Week 2017, which took place May 6-9 in Chicago.

At a session during Digestive Disease Week 2017, held May 6-9 in Chicago, speakers highlighted some new approaches to managing obesity that are now approved by the FDA.