The shooting deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School stirred discussions this week about mental health services and gun laws. In Pakistan, 9 health workers in a polio vaccination campaign were killed this week. The Taliban opposes the campaign but denies killing the workers. A survey released this week found that many U.S. teens don't think marijuana is dangerous. The numbers were the lowest in at least 20 years.

Child deaths have dropped worldwide in the last 20 years, a study published this week shows. But long-lasting illnesses such as heart disease are causing most deaths for adults, as well as years of poor health, the study says. Lawyers for people who caught meningitis in a recent outbreak say they don't know if their clients will be able to collect from a pharmacy linked to the illness. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed. But the pharmacy is closed and has surrendered its license. Starting in 2014, the government will require a fee of up to $63 a year for each person insured under health plans. The fee will be imposed for 3 years. Most of it will go to offset insurance companies' costs from a new requirement that they cover people with pre-existing health conditions.

Influenza cases already are increasing fast in some parts of the country, U.S. health officials said this week. That's about a month earlier than average. A new study published this week found that taking the breast cancer drug tamoxifen longer can reduce death rates. Buckingham Palace announced this week that the Duchess of Cambridge had a recent hospital stay for severe morning sickness. This condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

The number of children injured while playing in inflatable bouncers has increased rapidly in the last few years. That's the main finding of a study that released this week. U.S. officials announced a plan that they said could lead to an "AIDS-free generation." But a new report showed growth of HIV infection among young U.S. adults. Research released this week offered good news about infection control in hospitals. New procedures adopted by seven hospitals caused a drop in infections after colorectal surgery.

Members of Congress sought answers this week about a meningitis outbreak caused by a fungus. People who were infected had used steroid drugs from a compounding pharmacy with a troubled history. The head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testified before a House committee. She said that the FDA let state officials enforce compliance with rules. The reason is that the FDA lacks clear authority over compounding pharmacies. Researchers said this week that they have found a tripled risk of Alzheimer's disease for people with one form of a gene. In a survey, government researchers found that U.S. adults. Americans get nearly as many calories from alcohol as from soda.

Research published this week suggests that even very healthy U.S. adults have a 1 in 3 chance of getting heart disease. Taking multiple vitamins won't help to reduce that risk, another study concluded. The head of the Massachusetts pharmacy board was fired this week. The reason was failure to follow up on a report that a compounding pharmacy was going beyond its license and making large batches of drugs. Drugs made by the pharmacy are suspected of causing an outbreak of meningitis. Voters in Los Angeles this week approved new regulations on the porn movie industry. Now condoms will be required during filming of sex scenes.

An expert panel in the United Kingdom said this week that regular mammograms save lives for women older than 50. But that comes at a cost. Three women are treated for breast cancers that would not have harmed them for every life saved, the panel said. A review of research released this week found health benefits as a result of public smoking bans. It found that hospital stays for heart attacks and strokes drop in places with the bans. Another review published this week questioned the benefits of taking antidepressant drugs during pregnancy. It found that risks to the baby may outweigh the benefits. During the storm Sandy this week, New York University Langone Medical Center had to evacuate 300 patients. The exodus began after the power went off and backup generators failed. Researchers reported promising results this week for a new drug to reduce LDL cholesterol. People in the study already were taking a statin. Adding the new drug lowered LDL more than just raising the statin dose.

Medicare officials this week announced a policy that may pay for some people to receive treatment longer. The policy says payments for physical therapy and other services will continue if they help a person not get worse. Improvement is not required. An outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to steroid shots continued to grow this week. Doctors said treatment of the previously rare infection has been a challenge. Massachusetts officials found problems this week during a surprise inspection of the pharmacy that made the shots. New details also emerged about past complaints. A study released this week found that puberty for boys is starting earlier than it did in past decades. Another study found that most people with advanced cancer expect too much from chemotherapy treatments. An expert panel said this week that pregnant women should get vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough). The panel advises U.S. health officials.

New research published this week finds a slightly lower cancer risk among older men who take standard multivitamins. Another study shows a drop in cholesterol levels for U.S. adults. Officials this week confirmed that some steroids from a compounding pharmacy contain a fungus. The same type of fungus has caused more than 250 cases of meningitis. The number of deaths from the outbreak also reached 20 this week.

Cases of meningitis linked to tainted steroid shots climbed to more than 184 this week, U.S. officials said. At least 14 people have died. The infections were caused by a fungus. A panel appointed by the President said this week that more privacy safeguards are needed for gene information. The panel said that "mapping" a person's DNA soon will be cheaper and more widely done. Germany's government this week proposed a law that would allow circumcision for young boys. In May, a regional court banned the procedure after a boy developed problems from it.

Researchers published results this week for a major project that has "mapped" all gene mutations in breast cancer. The findings may lead to changes in treatment. Other new research suggests that a warning from doctors about driving may reduce accidents for older adults and others with possible impairments. When it comes to walking, older adults are using surgery more often to stay mobile. A report released this week found that knee replacement operations for Medicare patients have increased 162% in the last 20 years.

American children get way too much salt, a new report finds. And the top salt eaters are the most likely to have high blood pressure. Another report released this week found that cancer is the top cause of death for U.S. Hispanics. It replaces heart disease in the No. 1 spot. Two advocacy groups predicted this week that more than half of adults in 39 states will be obese by 2030. That's higher than U.S. government estimates. Consumer Reports magazine published measurements of arsenic in 223 rice products this week. The consumer group behind the magazine urged the U.S. government to set limits on arsenic in rice.

U.S. officials this week announced more conditions that are eligible for medical care through a special government fund. The fund covers World Trade Center rescuers, cleanup workers and area residents. People with 50 types of cancer now can get care through the fund. Researchers said this week that the current vaccine for whooping cough becomes less effective quickly after kids take their fifth dose. That helps explain a large increase in whooping cough cases. Children's deaths around the world are dropping, a United Nations agency said this week. But most deaths that still occur could be prevented, the report said. The New York City Board of Health this week adopted a controversial rule banning big sodas from restaurants. The limit for eateries and concession stands will be 16 ounces.

The leading U.S. group of children's doctors said this week that circumcision of baby boys has more benefits than risks. The new policy statement comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. A study published this week suggests that heavy pot use in the teen years may affect IQ. The long-term study found a drop of 8 IQ points for people who said in surveys that they were dependent on marijuana. U.S. health officials said this week that reported cases of West Nile illness had jumped about 40% since last week. They now total 1,590, with 66 deaths. Yosemite National Park has warned some recent visitors about possible exposure to a virus carried by wild deer mice. Six people who stayed in the park cabins were diagnosed with hantavirus. Two of them died. Yosemite sent e-mails or letters this week to 2,700 people who had stayed in the cabins this summer.

West Nile virus infections are surging this year, U.S. health officials said this week. As of mid-August, three times the usual number of cases had been reported. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported this week on a lengthy outbreak of drug-resistant illness last year. The outbreak occurred at the NIH's own hospital. Gene analysis helped to trace it and bring it under control. A new study published this week found that surgery to promote weight loss may help to prevent diabetes in very obese people. Other research found that rates of early heart disease are two to three times the average among people with close family members who died young of heart disease.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved the vaccine formulation for the 2012-2013 influenza (flu) season. A study published this week found that people with blood types A, B, or AB have a slightly higher risk of heart disease than people type O. Having type A blood increased risk by 8 percent, type B by 11 percent, and type AB by 20 percent. Johnson & Johnson announced this week that it expects to remove potentially harmful chemicals from its baby products and adult skin care products by 2015. The company has been under pressure from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to take the chemicals out of their products. New figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week identify 12 states where at least 30 percent of adults are obese. Finally, state laws to curb the sale of junk food and sugary drinks in school seems to be having some success in lowering obesity rates among kids.

A new type of swine flu is causing more cases in humans, U.S. health officials announced this week. This type is mostly mild and affects mainly people who have been in contact with pigs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new advice this week about sexually transmitted diseases. It said some heterosexuals may benefit from an HIV-prevention pill that was approved for gay and bisexual men. The CDC also asked doctors to change how they treat gonorrhea. The disease is now resistant to most antibiotics. A new study published this week found that the percentage of U.S. children with high cholesterol has dropped in the last decade.

More people are getting very sick with West Nile virus this year, U.S. health officials said this week. They said the rate of serious illness is the worst since 2004. The Associated Press wrote this week about the lack of research on the health effects of a newer gas drilling technique. Researchers this week reported longer survival for women with advanced breast cancer who took two hormone-blocking drugs. The combination was compared with women who took one drug.

World health systems still face challenges to control the spread of HIV. But speakers at a conference this week expressed hope that the next generation could be AIDS-free. "There is no excuse scientifically to say we cannot do it," said Anthony Fauci, M.D., of the National Institutes of Health. The United States pledged an extra $150 million to for prevention and treatment in poor countries. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said one step that can occur by 2015 is to treat pregnant women to make sure no babies are born infected. Dr. Fauci said research shows that treatment can reduce the chance of spreading the infection by 96%. That requires starting treatment as soon as someone is diagnosed. For men, circumcision is "stunningly successful" in reducing the risk of infection by a female sex partner, Dr. Fauci said. Challenges include the high rate of infection among gay black men in the United States. Among those age 30 and under, nearly 6% are infected each year. Women in Africa need better ways to protect themselves when partners won't use condoms. A new study will test a drug-coated ring worn inside the vagina. The Associated Press and USA Today wrote about the conference.

U.S. drug regulators announced two major approvals this week. They said that a pill used to treat HIV infection can also be marketed for prevention. They also approved Qsymia, a weight-loss drug. In other drug news, researchers reported that four people taking Gammagard for Alzheimer's had no decline in mental function for three years. Another small study focused on children with egg allergy. It found that giving them tiny but increasing amounts of egg white powder each day helped some of them become able to eat eggs. Other research released this week compared men with early prostate cancer who received surgery or no treatment. Death rates were the same in both groups.

U.S. drug regulators said this week that they will require makers of narcotic drugs to help doctors prescribe them safely. The companies must offer training programs by March 2013. A new study says that 1 out of 5 adults over 65 has a mental illness or substance abuse problem. This is expected to grow as baby boomers get older. A report released by a data-tracking company says that drug sales will grow more slowly in the next 4 years. New generic versions of popular drugs are the main reason. In a new survey, 9 out of 10 Russians said that drug addiction is at least a "very serious" problem in their country. People cited addiction more often than any other problem.

GlaxoSmithKline agreed this week to plead guilty to health care fraud and other charges. The drug maker will pay a record $3 billion fine. U.S. regulators this week approved the first quick at-home test for HIV. A new report shows that deaths from overdoses of methadone have fallen. And research released this week suggests that the last few weeks of pregnancy are important for learning. Reading and math problems were more frequent for those born at 37 weeks than those born at 41 weeks.

The U.S. Supreme Court this week upheld the 2010 health care reform bill. The approval included a requirement that almost everyone have health insurance. U.S. officials this week approved the first new weight-loss pill in 13 years. A group of experts said that doctors should refer obese patients to intensive weight loss programs. A new study found that many young children with food allergies have allergic reactions even after their families know about the allergy.

People who have one type of weight-control surgery are more likely to drink a lot of alcohol 2 years later, a study released this week says. A hospital stay can speed the decline of people with Alzheimer's disease, other research finds. And a new report shows a large increase in a major eye disease. The disease, diabetic retinopathy, is caused by persistent high blood sugar.

A panel of experts said this week that healthy women should not take low-dose vitamin D and calcium pills to prevent broken bones. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said the pills don't help and might increase the risk of kidney stones. Two news reports this week came out of a major sleep conference. One found that much higher risk of stroke for people who sleep less than six hours a night. Another study found that many adults with insomnia are afraid of the dark. Also, the World Health Organization said this week that diesel exhaust causes cancer.

The World Health Organization said this week that gonorrhea soon may be resistant to all known treatments. It urged more research to find a cure for the sexually transmitted disease. At a breast cancer conference, researchers presented results for a new "targeted" drug. It combines Herceptin, which binds to cancer cells, with a powerful chemotherapy drug. The poison is released only inside cancer cells. Disney said this week that it is banning junk food adds from its TV and radio stations and websites. New research released this week focused on cancer risk from radiation received in childhood. One study found a higher rate of breast cancer for women treated for cancer as children. Another study found higher leukemia and brain cancer risk for people who had computed tomography (CT) scans before age 22.

A study has found support for allowing use of smokers' lungs for transplant. People who got the lungs lived longer than those who stayed on a waiting list. But they didn't live as long as people who got nonsmokers' lungs. Other research published this week found that contact with live poultry caused a salmonella outbreak. Cases dated back as far as 2004. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week proposed limiting the size of sodas sold in the city. The Associated Press wrote this week about new procedures being tried for hard-to-control blood pressure.

Three medical groups this week endorsed CT scans to screen for lung cancer in some smokers. Annual tests are recommended for older adults who are or used to be heavy smokers. An expert group that advises doctors on preventive care has rejected the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for routine use. The group said using the test to screen for prostate cancer does more harm than good. A new study released this week suggests that people who take calcium pills may have a higher risk of heart attack. Another study found that more teens today are at risk of heart disease than teens a decade earlier. That's because they are more likely to be overweight or have diabetes or high blood pressure.

Americans keep getting heavier, a study released this week said. It predicted that 42% of adults will be obese by 2030. Another study found that probiotic products may help prevent diarrhea linked with taking antibiotics. U.S. officials this week called for lower radiation limits on medical scans for children. A U.S. appeals court reversed its own decision that ordered big changes in mental health care for veterans. The court said it didn't have the power to order the changes. Also, a new survey published this week found that more young adults are getting sunburns.

New research released this week showed that type 2 diabetes in children and teens may be hard to keep under control. A controversial study involving a lethal strain of bird flu was published this week after delays over security concerns. The study showed how easily the virus could change and be able to spread among mammals. Two reports on the health of babies were published this week. A study found that the rate of narcotic withdrawal symptoms in newborns has tripled in 10 years. A report from several health groups said that 1 out of 10 babies born worldwide is premature. Facebook made health news this week by launching a feature that helps people sign up as organ donors.

The American Cancer Society said this week that exercise and a healthy diet may help people live longer after cancer treatment. Three government reports also made news this week. One found that 2 out of 3 people who abuse painkillers begin with pills they get from friends or family. Another report said that only 13% of Americans have high cholesterol. Drug treatment may be the reason. Other officials reported this week that a dead dairy cow in California had so-called mad cow disease. The cow was at a rendering plant to be turned into products other than human food. The disease was found by a routine test. The brain tissue tests are done on a random sample of dead cows.

New research published this week suggests that reduced or erratic sleep may increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Other studies found that a specific way to comfort babies after shots decreases their pain and that optimists may have better heart health. A report released this week shows that accidental deaths of U.S. children have fallen 30% since 2000. Traffic deaths were down. But prescription drug overdoses rose.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants farm animals to stop getting antibiotics to help them grow. The FDA this week asked drug makers to sell these drugs to farmers only when needed for health reasons. An Arkansas judge this week fined Johnson & Johnson $1.1 billion for fraud against the state Medicaid program. A jury found the drug maker guilty of hiding potential risks of Risperdal. This drug is used to treat schizophrenia. A study published this week found that the most common type of brain tumor occurs more often among people who have had frequent dental X-rays. The type of tumor, meningioma, is usually not cancerous. Other new research found higher rates of autism for children whose mothers were obese while pregnant. And a study released in time for tax filing day found that the rate of fatal traffic accidents goes up on tax days.

Nine doctors' groups this week urged their members and patients to think twice about some types of care. The groups published lists of tests and procedures that they said are often not needed. Unrelated research this week also talked about excess treatment. The study estimated that 15% to 25% of cancers found by a mammogram don't need to be treated. Other research found a possible reason for black women's higher rates of cervical cancer and death from it. They may not clear the infection that causes the cancer from their bodies as quickly as white women. In other infectious disease news, U.S. health officials this week were looking into a multi-state outbreak of salmonella.

The mild winter has led to an early allergy season in parts of the United States, health officials said this week. New research concludes that many low-risk patients are getting more costly anesthesia than they need for a colonoscopy. A group of experts released a report this week on dissolvable tobacco products. They said the products may be less dangerous than smoking. On the other hand, they may encourage more people to use tobacco.

Several expert groups announced new screening guidelines for cervical cancer this week. They say that women over 30 can safely get a Pap test only every 5 years under certain conditions. A study that kept track of men's health for 11 years after prostate cancer screening found that those who were screened did not live longer than other men. They were less likely to die of prostate cancer, however. The U.S. government launched an anti-smoking campaign this week. It features advertisements with graphic images showing people harmed by smoking. British researchers this week urged doctors to stop using all-metal hip replacements. Medical records showed that these devices are more likely to fail than ceramic or plastic replacements.

The American Heart Association said this week that doctors need to give more information to people with heart failure. The group said patients need to know whether treatments are likely to help them feel better as well as live longer. Research published this week describes a new way of doing kidney transplants. People received a mixture of their own bone marrow and marrow from their kidney donor. Five out of eight were able to stop taking immune suppressant drugs within a year. Other new research focused on recent U.S. war veterans. Those with mental disorders were more likely than other veterans to get narcotic prescriptions for pain. A study of people with moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease found that the drug donepezil (Aricept) slowed their decline. But combining it with memantine (Namenda) did not produce better results.

U.S. drug regulators said this week that they will require label changes for popular cholesterol drugs. The drugs, known as statins, will list two new potential side effects seen in some people. A report released this week says that more Americans are seeking dental care in emergency rooms instead of at the dentist. U.S. officials announced the arrests of 7 people in what was described as a major Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme. There was also new research reported this week. Scientists said they have found a way to make new eggs from stem cells in the ovaries of young women.

Women are less likely to have chest pain with a heart attack, and more likely to die, research published this week finds. Another study shows for the first time that removing polyps by colonoscopy reduces colon cancer. A study from a major hospital found that more children are getting treatment for gender identity disorder. In government news, an expert panel this week supported approving the diet drug Qnexa. And a government study found that deaths from hepatitis C are rising.

In a study published this week, treatment with people's own stem cells helped to repair damage from heart attacks. Other research tested use of an auto-injector to deliver emergency anti-seizure drugs. Injection in the muscle worked even better than the standard method, giving drugs through an intravenous (IV) line. Researchers from Germany said this week that they had found a way to make larger amounts of a major malaria drug. The new process also costs less. And a study by business professors found that some people will accept smaller restaurant servings to save calories. They were willing to do this even if the price of the meal stayed the same.

Research news this week covered a wide variety of topics. One found that a drug some high-risk women take to prevent breast cancer may also weaken bones. Other studies found that people in first class don't have fewer blood clots on long flights and that tai chi may help people with Parkinson's disease. Two surveys dealt with topics related to smoking. One showed that many kids ride in cars with smokers. The other found that smokers go to the dentist less than other people and have more dental problems.

A breast cancer foundation caused an uproar this week when it announced that a new policy would bar Planned Parenthood from grants. Later in the week, the policy was changed again. Research released this week found that a new pill may help to control fibroids and that a newer type of radiation for prostate cancer treatment may have more side effects. A senator's recent stroke led to an article on the rise of strokes in younger adults. Pfizer recalled 1 million faulty packets of birth control pills this week. And the Carter Center announced $40 million in grants to help wipe out Guinea worm disease.

Researchers said this week that a stem cell treatment apparently improved vision in two women who are legally blind. The treatment used stem cells from embryos. Another new study estimated that 16 million Americans have human papilloma virus infections in the mouth. U.S. health officials said this week that amputations have dropped by more than half for people with diabetes. The government also released new rules for school lunches. The changes are intended to improve nutrition and reduce fat and calories.

New research suggests that women with a low risk of fragile bones don't need frequent bone density tests. The study was released this week. The Obama administration released a summary of a new program to improve treatment and care of Alzheimer's disease. Chef Paula Deen announced on the "Today" show that she has diabetes. Her announcement drew criticism from health activists because her TV shows promote fatty foods. In Los Angeles, the city council gave final approval this week to a law requiring condoms on porn movie sets.

Researchers released a study this week that looked at multiple embryo transfers for in vitro fertilization. They found that transferring a third embryo does not improve the odds of having a baby. Other new studies found that marathon deaths are rare but increasing and that women who take statin drugs may have a higher risk of diabetes. A fourth study lasted 20 years. It found that people who smoked up to a joint of pot a week had no increased risk of lung damage.

Twin births have jumped in the United States since 1980, health officials said this week. In other government news, advisers urged U.S. health officials to change the definition of lead poisoning. They said the current threshold for blood lead in children should be cut in half. This could lead to diagnosis of many thousands more children. Also this week, drug regulators issued their first rules limiting the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food.