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Does getting food assistance from the federal SNAP program mean that people improve their diets? Not so much — at least according to recent nutritional research. Is it even reasonable to expect it to do so?

On February 23, 1954 the first mass trials of the Salk Polio Vaccine began in Pittsburgh. The results, evaluated over the next year, showed how remarkably safe and effective it was, eventually relegating the much-feared scourge of polio into the dustbin of history, at least in America.

A Nebraska-based study of changes in the prevalence of arthritis and related conditions found large increases during the period of 2007-2012. One possible reason for this situation is the ongoing, widespread prevalence of obesity in the state.

According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although the number of influenza cases reported across the U.S. is steadily climbing, flu activity is nowhere near what the nation witnessed by this time last year.

In the course of a few hours, Charlie Sheen's disclosure of his HIV status did for HIV awareness what no public health measure would ever have accomplished. This is now known as the so-called "Charlie Sheen effect," and despite his publicly wacky way of disclosing his illness, we welcome it.

Blonde hair. Big boobs. And the perfect tan. Where in America will you find the highest concentration of the self-obsessed? A somewhat-playful analysis of the nation's "Top 10 Vain Cities," as based on proximity to plastic surgeons and tanning beds, says the honor goes not to Hollywood, but another California playground.

A large meta-analysis of high-quality studies published in the Cochrane Library Review showed that topically-applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, were just as effective as oral pain pills, but much safer on the gastrointestinal tract.

Obesity is without question a complex medical condition, but our knowledge as to effective treatment is in its infancy. As such, the "obesity penalty" unquestionably fails the reality test, as Dr. David Seres of Columbia University explains.

A CDC study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals that within six years of the introduction of Human Papillomavirus vaccine, there were significant decreases in prevalence of HPV infection rates.

With millions of Americans having suffered concussions, so-called brain rehabilitation clinics are gaining prominence, offering intensive, week-long treatment to help victims return to cognitive normalcy. But these treatments are unproven, and claims of success have not been verified or peer-reviewed.

As ominous as the Zika virus has become, and it's potential impact on pregnant women and their babies, it's just one of several health concerns facing travelers who are planning to attend the Summer Games in Brazil. Polluted waterways and an increase in crime will also be part of Rio's Olympic experience.

According to a recent study examining a possible link between sex and cognitive behavior, while enjoyable, sex doesn't necessarily help prevent mental deterioration. "That s a lovely idea but it s not as simple as that," said one researcher. "Dementia is a complex issue."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention singled out Lumber Liquidators after it found that the retailer's laminate wood flooring products from China carried a greater risk of causing cancer and other health problems than previously thought.

DDT being declared a carcinogenic risk to humans was a scientific anomaly, drawn entirely from high-dose animal studies. Dr. Don Roberts, Professor Emeritus of Tropical Public Health at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD, shows that no expert review of DDT concludes that it is a human carcinogen.

High blood pressure frequently accompanies obesity and can lead to a myriad of ills, such as kidney problems, heart disease and stroke. A new study demonstrates that is also true for children and teens, and underscores the importance of achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.

If your goal is to achieve a lofty station in life, it would be unwise to start as a Sprague-Dawley rat. Not only are they bred to test whether chemicals and foods might give people cancer, but they don't even do it well. In short, it's not great to be one of them, and here's why.

A federal standard would actually protect consumers from confusion, which is bad for environmental fundraising. However, it is good for the public.

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Brain hacking is a relatively new term referring to cognitive enhancement coined by a generation of overachieving, aggressive millennials determined to stay ahead of the curve by playing chemist and guinea pig.

Reality TV star, "Mob Wife" Angela Riaola died of extensive cancers caused by her long-term smoking addiction. Why can't our scientists find effective ways to prevent or treat this key public health crisis: cigarette smoking addiction?

Some of the top health stories making news over the last 48 hours.

Researchers subjected rats to different exercises and assessed what effect if any they had on brain structure and function. And they learned that a good aerobic workout improves gray matter, a finding that could have healthy implications for humans.

Despite enormous news coverage, there's still very little known about the Zika virus. What we do know is that recently there have been two important studies that strengthen the link between the virus and birth defects, and that there are now 30 countries where it's found.

Your mother might have told you not to chew gum it's bad for your teeth, and it sticks your stomach together, etc. But in some cases, your doctor might actually prescribe a little gum chewing to help you recover from the effects of surgery.

If you suffer from migraines, you know how debilitating the pain can be; and we know you'd do anything to make them go away