Local Health News

New model of female condom could bring wider use: By DAVID CRARY; NEW YORK - Advocates of the female condom are promoting a less costly, more user-friendly version that they hope will vastly expand its role in the global fight against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. An early... Full story

Being obese shortens your life: By MARIA CHENG; LONDON - Being obese can take years off your life and in some cases may be as dangerous as smoking, a new study says. British researchers at the University of Oxford analyzed 57 studies mostly in Europe and North America,... Full story

More evidence links diabetes to Alzheimer's risk: By LAURAN NEERGAARD; WASHINGTON - You've heard that diabetes hurts your heart, your eyes, your kidneys. New research indicates a more ominous link: That diabetes increases the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease and may speed dementia once it strikes.... Full story

Minnesota health system purges hospitals and clinics of drug company trinkets: By STEVE KARNOWSKI The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — When a Duluth-based operator of hospitals and clinics purged the pens, notepads, coffee mugs and other promotional trinkets drug companies had given its doctors over the years, it took 20... Full story