HPV :: Dermatologists can help patients decide if new vaccines to prevent HPV and Herpes Zoster are right for them

For more than 200 years, vaccines have played an important role in the prevention of infectious diseases. In the United States, measles, mumps and rubella are now rare diseases thanks to vaccines. Now, two vaccines recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ? the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the herpes zoster vaccine ? are proving effective in protecting people from serious or potentially life-threatening diseases.

Breastfeeding :: More women choosing to breastfeed

Although more women are choosing to initiate breastfeeding, the percentage of mothers who breastfeed exclusively is far short of national objectives, according to a report in today’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Pregnancy :: Lower Cesarean rates associated with preventive labor induction

At a time when national rates of cesarean delivery have climbed above 30%, a four-year study of patients receiving an alternative method of obstetric care experienced a significantly lower rate of cesarean births, according to a study published in the current issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

Diabetes :: Top-10 comparison of diabetes drugs give metformin top grade

A type 2 diabetes drug taken orally and in widespread use for more than a decade has been found to have distinct advantages over nine other, mostly newer medications used to control the chronic disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins.

Back Pain :: Advice, devices ineffective in preventing worker back pain

Back pain is the number one cause of worker-compensation complaints, second only to the common cold in causing lost workdays. Consequently, employers and regulators have pushed training programs to teach specific lifting methods, and some recommend or require the use of assistive devices such as hoists for hospital workers.