Attorney general wants warning about affect of opiates on babies

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler has joined 42 other attorneys general asking the FDA to put a warning label on opiod pain killers explaining the health consequences babies face when their mothers take the drugs while pregnant.

Teenagers and tanning beds: State health officials push to revise consent form

The consent forms teenagers must get signed by their parents before using a tanning bed could soon change.

Maryland health centers get $1.7 million in federal funding

Sixteen health centers in Maryland will share in $1.7 million in federal funding to help enroll uninsured residents in health plans under health care reform.

Spring is the perfect time to taste the rainbow

Nutritionists from the University of Maryland Medical Center regularly contribute a guest post. The latest post is from Catherine Schroeder, dietetic intern.

MVA launches online vision screening program for license renewal

The state has launched a program to streamline the eye exam process for people over 40 who are renewing their driver's licenses.

Should doctors get random drug tests?

What if you're doctor smoked marijuana and then performed surgery on you?

Hopkins announces $4.5 billion fundraising goal

Johns Hopkins announced Saturday a $4.5 billion fundraising goal — among the largest in the country — to help the university and health system address some of the world's most challenging issues, including water scarcity, education quality and city revitalization.

STI havens within galloping distance of Preakness

If indecent exposure laws aren't enough to give adventurous Pimlico infield visitors pause, here's another disincentive: The famous race course lies inside of one of Baltimore's statistical hot spots for gonorrhea.

Enlarged prostate can cause urination problems in men

Many men will experience prostate enlargement as they get older, some to the point that it will cause urination problems. Dr. Michael Naslund, director of the Maryland Prostate Center at the University Maryland Medical Center, said there are many options for treatment, including surgery, drugs and lifestyle changes.

Boston Marathon victims to get free prosthetics

A Linthicum firm is among several orthotics and prosthetics companies that will offer victims of the Boston Marathon bombing artificial limbs at no charge if their insurance doesn't cover all or some of the costs of the devices.

Hopkins professor to replace Ben Carson as commencement speaker

John Hopkins professor Jon Lorsch will replace neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson as commencement speaker at the institution's School of Medicine.

Early deliveries down with use of education guide

Fewer moms scheduled early deliveries when hospitals used a tool kit to promote full-term pregnancies, according to a research funded by the March of Dimes and others.

Health officials warn of rabies exposure from cat in Milford Mill

Baltimore County health officials found a rabid cat in the Milford Mill area and are looking for anyone who may have been exposed to the animal.

You don't have to suffer from constipation

Constipation hits everybody at some point. The uncomfortable condition can be caused by many things, including a bad diet and dehydration. Dr. Vaibhav A. Parekh, director of Medstar Harbor Primary Care, talks about how to prevent and treat constipation, and how to tell if it's a sign of more serious health problems.

Hopkins dean among those who want to eradicate polio

The dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is among a group of leading scientists that has joined an initiative to eradicate polio.

Maryland has second highest number of health mandates

 Maryland has the second highest number of health mandates - or procedures and services insurers are required to cover in policies.

Doctors order less expensive lab tests when they know the cost

If doctors were better informed about the cost of lab tests, they would request fewer of them for their patients or look for cheaper alternatives, Hopkins researchers have found.

Born to run? Maybe, but this gene switch had little to do with it

BOSTON -- As athletes get ready for the 117th running of the Boston Marathon today, many will have mantras. One of my favorites, from septuagenarian marathoner Malcolm Brookes is "I can, I will, I am," but another popular one is "you were born for this." A group of British scientists wanted to check that out, testing whether a genetic switch associated with obesity had any effect on a person's likelihood of becoming a high-level distance athlete.

Governments should use zoning to limit liquor stores, Hopkins researchers say

Zoning laws have become a powerful way to reduce the number of liquor stores in cities, but too few government officials use them, Johns Hopkins University public health researchers said in a new report.

City to serve 2 million free meals to needy children this summer

 Baltimore City plans to serve 2 million free meals this summer to children who would otherwise have little to eat.

Bill to give pregnant workers more rights passes Senate

Legislation that would strengthen the rights of pregnant women in the workplace has now passed both chambers of the General Assembly and will go to the governor's desk for signing.

Insurance co-op gets state certification

Evergreen Health Cooperative Inc., a consumer-owned nonprofit that will compete with private insurers to sell health policies, said Wednesday it has received a key state certificate that will allow it to offer health benefit plans later this year.

Cleansing can be good if not too extreme

Does eliminating specific foods from the diet, such as sugar or wheat, provide health benefits? Such cleansing has become a popular way for people to lose weight, boost energy and eat more healthfully. Liz Lipski, academic director for the Master of Science degree in nutrition and integrative health at Maryland University of Integrative Health, believes cleanses can be beneficial if they are not too extreme.

Safety tips for running outside

As a Greater Baltimore Medical Center doctor recovers from injuries suffered after being hit by a car while out for a run, it is a good time to remind all runners about safety precautions they should take.

BWI opens indoor walking trail

Travelers using Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport can get a workout in while waiting for a flight using two new indoor walking paths.