Health News - The New York Times

Poison Pen

Fashion at a Very High Price

By DEBORAH BLUM

Brightly colored belts, shoes and other accessories sold by some retailers contain high levels of lead, new tests show.

Well

Who Says Laughter’s the Best Medicine?

By JAN HOFFMAN

Just in time to protect patients from the dangers of holiday cheer, a new scholarly review from a British medical journal describes many harmful effects wrought by laughter.

Plan Sought to Protect Food Supply From Terrorism

By SABRINA TAVERNISE

The Food and Drug Administration proposed a rule that requires major food producers to develop a plan to prevent intentional attempts to contaminate the food supply.

Tackling a Racial Gap in Breast Cancer Survival

By TARA PARKER-POPE

Decades of awareness campaigns and advances in treatment have improved survival rates for women with breast cancer in the United States, but the majority of those gains have bypassed black women.

| Interactive Graphic

Picture Your Life

Faces of Breast Cancer

We asked our readers to share insights from their experiences with breast cancer. Here are some of their stories.

Iclusig is used mainly to treat chronic myeloid leukemia.

After Brief Halt, F.D.A. Allows Sales of Drug for Cancer to Resume

By ANDREW POLLACK

The Food and Drug Administration, which halted the sale of Iclusig because of potentially deadly side effects, said the drug could again be marketed, though for a somewhat smaller patient population.

Hypertension Guide May Affect 7.4 Million

By GINA KOLATA

New blood pressure advice could mean less treatment — or none at all — for millions over the age of 60.

Hypertension Guidelines Can Be Eased, Panel Says

Well

The Pies That Bind

By STEVEN PETROW

My winning streak as our family’s champion pie king ended six years ago — and that’s when all the trouble started.

Spain: Bill Aims to Restrict Abortion

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Spain’s conservative government moved to tighten restrictions on abortion as the cabinet approved a bill that would allow the practice only in certain cases.

Group Seeks Special Label for Food: ‘Natural’

By STEPHANIE STROM

Use of the term “natural” is now generating battles similar to previous fights over terms like organic, amid initiatives in several states that seek to label foods in a more transparent way.

Dr. Janet D. Rowley received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 from President Obama. She received the National Medal of Science from President Bill Clinton.

Janet D. Rowley, Who Discovered Cancer Can Be Genetic, Dies at 88

By MARGALIT FOX

In 1972, Dr. Rowley became the first person to show a conclusive link between certain genetic abnormalities and certain cancers.

Aging and the Art of Losing

By ARIEL GREEN, M.D.

One of the reasons I chose geriatrics is that it offers the chance to help older adults have an excellent quality of life. Still, I know there are some calamities I cannot fix.

Life Expectancy of New Yorkers Rises With Influx of Immigrants, Study Finds

By SABRINA TAVERNISE

New Yorkers’ longevity rose over the past 20 years, the study says, citing factors like declines in AIDS deaths, homicide and smoking-related illnesses, along with immigrants, who tend to have lower mortality rates.

Recipes for Health

Quesadilla With Mushroom Ragoût and Chipotles

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN

Mushroom ragoût forms the basis for delicious quesadillas that can be assembled in no time.

One Mushroom Ragoût, Five Meals

December 20, 2013

Garlic Fails to Curb Yeast Infections

December 19, 2013

High Chair Hazards

December 19, 2013

How to Clean Baby Bottles

December 18, 2013

3 Things to Know About the New Blood Pressure Guidelines

December 18, 2013

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The Weekly Health Quiz

Columns

Personal Health

A lifeguard practicing CPR on an infant dummy.

Keeping Little Breaths Flowing

By JANE E. BRODY

Choking is the fourth-leading cause of unintentional deaths in children under age 5, but a few precautions and CPR training could help avert a tragedy.

Ask Well

Benefits of Swimming

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

The health effects of swimming are similar to those of land-based aerobic activities like jogging, walking or bicycling — with some notable differences.

From Scientists, Gift Ideas for the Elderly

December 18, 2013

A Way to Stay on the Job

December 17, 2013

A Federal Proposal for Paid Family Leave

December 13, 2013

Dialysis Takes a Toll

December 12, 2013

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The Cancer Divide

In Israel, a Push to Screen for Cancer Gene Leaves Many Conflicted

By RONI CARYN RABIN

As an effort ensues to test for cancer-causing gene mutations that are common among many Jews, women are facing hard choices about how much they want to know.

Interactive Graphic: Where Is Breast Cancer?

From Booming

Ask an Expert

Sheila Heen, an expert in negotiating conflicts.

Negotiating Conflicts, Part 1: Family Grudges

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Sheila Heen, an expert in negotiation and difficult conversations, discusses family members who have cut off contact, and strategies to help repair the rift.