Research released this week found that giving kids flu shots can help protect the whole community. Another study showed that angiograms of the heart arteries often find no blocked arteries among people with few symptoms. A group of experts said this week that fewer women are trying to have a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section. They said many doctors and hospitals forbid the practice because they fear lawsuits if something goes wrong. Finally, a survey released this week showed that healthy older adults have the most sex. And older men have more sex than older women.

About 1 out of 4 parents say that some vaccines may cause autism, a survey released this week found. Research does not support such a link, however. Other new research found that black and Hispanic children have many factors in their lives that increase the risk of obesity, compared with white kids. These range from early eating of solid foods to having a TV in their bedrooms. The American Cancer Society said this week that men should be told about risks and benefits before deciding on whether to get a prostate cancer test. It said digital rectal exams should be an option, not routine. In other prostate cancer news, a drug company says a new medicine may extend life about 10 weeks for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney had a mild heart attack this week. He spent two days in a hospital and was discharged. A group of U.S. children's doctors called this week for warning labels to help prevent choking on certain foods. Experts advising U.S. health officials said almost all Americans should get flu shots. They said next season's shot should include H1N1 and two other types of flu. An expert group, the Institute of Medicine, sounded an alarm this week about high blood pressure. It said the U.S. government, doctors and patients need to do more to prevent and treat the condition.

U.S. officials issued guidelines this week limiting when doctors should prescribe certain asthma drugs. The drugs are known as long-acting beta agonists. Research released this week found that breast cancer survivors who regularly take aspirin may live longer. Experts announced that King Tut died of malaria and bone problems. Another study released this week found that use of high-tech scans has greatly increased in the last decade. The Associated Press also reported that wider use of genetic testing has led to lower rates of some genetic diseases.