Health Chat: Ask the pharmacist
Got questions about medications? Pharmacists from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will answer them every other Monday, whether you're wondering about side effects; insurance coverage; the best time of day to take your pills; what to do if you've missed a dose; or the safety and effectiveness of a generic drug.Next chat: Monday, May 12, at 11 a.m.
COMMUNITY
Healthcare and fitness updates from the Boston Globe.
COLUMNISTS
DISCOVERIES
ASK DR. KNOWLEDGE
MEETING THE MINDS
SPECIAL SECTIONS

Toxin in toyland
The risk of lead poisoning from toys may be small, experts say, but it's one children should avoid.

Contagious cancers
Scientists are only beginning to discover the hidden role of some viruses and bacteria

After
the fall
Each year, about 300,000 Americans over 64 break their hips -- three-quarters of them women.
HEALTH NEWS FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE
Drug deaths soar in Boston
Deaths from drugs and alcohol in Boston soared in 2006, an increase partially fueled by cheap heroin. (By Stephen Smith, Boston Globe)
Before the fall
A record number of Massachusetts seniors died in 2006 after a tumble. But there are many ways to reduce the risk. (By Stephen Smith, Boston Globe)

The story of a father,
a daughter, and a fever
By the time Robbie Stankard was 14 months old, he had been to the emergency room 19 times. Every time he had a fever of 103.8. (By Billy Baker, Boston Globe)

The Exam Room
When touching's OK;
when it's not
Recent reports that Dr. Melvin Levine, a prominent pediatrician and author, stands accused of molesting young male patients while working at Children's Hospital Boston has led to a collective gasp among the local healthcare community. While he denies the allegations, the report struck a chord of vulnerability for both doctors and patients. (Dr. Victoria McEvoy)
Gene therapy could aid vision impairment
For the first time, researchers used gene therapy to improve vision in patients who were virtually blind. (Boston Globe)

Extreme Preemies
It was her turn to lie on the narrow bed Iit the dimly lit room and watch the grainy image of the child within her slide around the ultrasound's screen. Apparently done, the sonographer left the room and returned with the physician. The fetus was fine, but they were worried that her cervix was dilating prematurely. On what was supposed ...
LATEST HEALTH NEWS FROM THE WIRES
- Feds: Teen use of pot can lead to dependency, mental illness (AP, 5/9/08)
- Too much, too little sleep tied to ill health in CDC study (AP, 5/8/08)
- More than half of US diabetics have arthritis (AP, 5/8/08)
- Medical know-how raises suicide risk for doctors (AP, 5/8/08)
- Too much, too little sleep tied to ill health in CDC study (AP, 5/7/08)
- 10 million children die without basic health care (AP, 5/6/08)
- Official says Russia 'not ready' for tough HIV steps (AP, 5/5/08)
- VA drops plans to consolidate its Boston-area hospitals (AP, 5/5/08)
- Study shows breast-fed children are smarter (Reuters, 5/5/08)
- Who should MDs let die in a pandemic? Report offers answers (AP, 5/5/08)
- Part II: Straining to progress, as family challenges mount (AP, 5/5/08)


