HEALTH

Health notes: Tests show no leukemia for Duluth girl

Annika Linberg passed the 100-day mark on Friday, and her family got great news on Wednesday.

By Compiled by John Lundy , February 23, 2012

National view: It’s synthetic, legal — and scarier than pot

The package is small and brightly colored. It’s in a case near the register, alongside the breath mints and not far from the candy. The label clearly states it is not suitable for children and not intended for consumption, but those who buy it really aren’t big on warnings.

By John Romano , February 22, 2012

Proctor High School students launch hockey safety social media campaign

With hockey safety a hot topic in Minnesota this winter, four Proctor High School students have created a social media campaign to help spread a message of “think before you hit” to players.

By News Tribune staff , February 21, 2012

Local view: Senators should inspire others to oppose pharmacy merger

On behalf of our 2,000 members in Minnesota and 3,000 members in Wisconsin, we applaud U.S. Sens. Herb Kohl and Al Franken for their leadership and vision. Like us, Sen. Kohl, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, and Sen. Franken are very concerned about the ramifications of the proposed merger between Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions. If the Federal Trade Commission approves this merger, two of our nation’s largest and most profitable pharmacy benefit managers will combine into an entity with enough market share and control to change the future of the pharmacy profession, threaten small and large pharmacy jobs, raise prescription drug costs and subvert patient access to quality prescription drug care.

By Julie Johnson and Christopher Decker , February 21, 2012

Other view: Mixing Medicare and mudslinging

The 2012 election is turning into a national referendum on what to do about Medicare.

By Los Angeles Times , February 21, 2012

Eh? A meeting you probably should bike to

In 2010, more than 100 Duluthians were surveyed to find out just how safe is it to walk or bike in Duluth. The answer and more will be revealed at four public meetings, beginning today, on bicycle and pedestrian safety in the city.

By News Tribune staff , February 21, 2012

Bachmann, Minnesota lawmakers want Medicaid audit

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota, said she plans to introduce a federal bill similar to one recently introduced at the state level to require independent audits of health maintenance organizations.

By Don Davis, State Capitol Bureau , February 20, 2012

Mission to Cameroon: Help offered to ‘helpless’

Drs. Hans and Martha Aas are finishing up their 12th medical mission trip to Cameroon, accompanied by three other medical professionals. They headed a medical exchange between a hospital in Ngaoundere and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center. This is the last of weekly accounts that Martha Aas shared with News Tribune and Areavoices readers.

By Martha Aas , February 20, 2012

Company recalls infant Tylenol because of trouble with bottle design

Johnson & Johnson is recalling all infant Tylenol on the U.S. market because some parents have had problems with newly designed bottles — just introduced three months ago — that the company had touted as a big improvement to make measuring the correct dose easier.

By Associated Press report , February 17, 2012

Grand Marais nursing home worker cited for abuse

A nursing assistant at a Grand Marais nursing home was cited for abuse for pulling two residents by the arms and speaking to one in a “disrespectful manner,” according to a state report made public on Wednesday.

By John Lundy , February 17, 2012

Malnourished Wisconsin teen says she was forced to stay in basement for years; parents arrested

Neighbors of a severely malnourished Wisconsin teenager found wandering outside, her bare feet purple and her face bleeding, say they rarely saw the girl leave home, and that when she did emerge she would scavenge through the trash and eat discarded scraps.

By Associated Press report , February 16, 2012

Teen critically injured in Woodland crash has first 'real' meal

A meal of mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, chocolate milk and butterscotch pudding might not sound exciting, but it was another milestone for family and friends of Everett Bergren.

By News Tribune staff , February 16, 2012

Northland residents slam syndicated radio show's 'mentally challenged' segment as offensive

A segment on a syndicated radio show aired in Duluth is being decried by some Northland residents as insensitive and offensive to people with cognitive disabilities.

By John Lundy , February 16, 2012

MORNING UPDATE: Northland residents slam radio show segment as offensive

A segment on a syndicated radio show aired in Duluth is being decried by some residents as insensitive and offensive to people with cognitive disabilities.

By News Tribune staff , February 16, 2012

End to cancer drug shortage is unclear

A severe shortage of a childhood cancer drug should ease before hospitals run out of it in a couple weeks, a top federal regulator said Tuesday. But the companies that make the drug are giving few details about how they will find a long-term solution to end the problem.

By Associated Press report , February 16, 2012