A benign-sounding $372 million grant program by the Obama Administration's Department of Health and Human Services is funding a number of not-so-benign health projects, writes ACSH's Jeff Stier in yesterday's Washington Examiner.

It used to be that when the Federal government wanted to encourage states and cities to adhere to certain policies, they'd offer grants with strings attached. Highway funds, for example, are available only if states enforce federally mandated blood alcohol levels, as well as a drinking age of twenty-one.
Today, however, all pretenses are out the window, and the Obama administration is taking taxpayer money and sending it directly to local governments and non-profits to lobby on behalf of nanny-state policies.

In the wake of last week's U.S. House Subcommittee on Health hearing on smokeless tobacco, ACSH advisor and friend Dr. Brad Rodu has taken on one of the key witnesses. Dr.

A study published in today's Annals of Internal Medicine finds that patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) screenings were twice as likely to have a false positive diagnosis as patients who had a standard chest X-ray. About one in five patients who underwent a CT scan were erroneously diagnosed with lung cancer, compared to one in 10 who had a chest X-ray.

The Washington Post reports that the Food and Drug Administration is planning an "unprecedented effort" to reduce Americans' salt intake by mandating that food manufacturers use less sodium. The FDA claims it needs no additional authority from Congress to gradually "phase-down" sodium levels in nearly every type of processed food.

A study published this month in Environmental Health Perspectives ties chemicals found in consumer products and other sources to the early onset of puberty in girls.

Yesterday s issue of the New York Times Magazine featured a paean to Dr. Mehmet Oz of "Oprah" fame for the enthusiasm with which he weighs in on various medical topics, often far afield from his specialty as a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology indicate that elderly people with lower levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment.
We ve been saying that vitamin D is very much in vogue for the past few months, says Dr. Whelan. This is definitely going to catch people's attention. Of course, it s an interesting hypothesis, but there is no cause and effect proven here.

A research study and editorial published today in the journal Pediatrics suggests that R.J. Reynolds Camel Orbs and similar dissolvable tobacco products will appeal to young children because they resemble candy. The study s lead researcher, Dr.

Ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland has disrupted airline flight schedules all over Europe. The WHO warns that the ash could become a health risk as it settles to the ground, since inhaled particles can cause respiratory problems.