By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers. The… Read more

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Chief Medical Writer BOSTON (AP) — A Boston hospital is starting the world’s first hand transplant program for children, and doctors say it won’t be long until face transplants and other radical operations to improve… Read more

By TOM HAYS, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — After setting off a storm of criticism from abortion rights groups upset that a Democratic president had sided with social conservatives, the Obama administration said it will comply with a… Read more

(ABC) — There’s uproar about a startling new ad campaign to fight childhood obesity. The ad actually shows pictures of kids doctored to look obese. Is it sending the wrong message to your kids? This smiling, chubby face appears in ads… Read more

By LARRY NEUMEISTER and LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Generic versions of emergency contraception can be sold without a prescription or age restrictions while the federal government appeals a judge’s ruling allowing… Read more

By JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press DALLAS (AP) — Susan G. Komen for the Cure says it is canceling half of its 3-day charity races next year because of a steep drop in participation levels. The announcement comes more than a year after the… Read more

Landon Weeks says he likes to joke with children about his appearance He says he’s grateful for the challenges posed by his physical problems Weeks enjoys sharing his musical talent with others Editor’s note: In the Human Factor, we… Read more

Alicia Kozakiewicz was abducted at age 13 and taken to Virginia Someone who saw a live video stream alerted authorities and she was rescued The three Cleveland women will likely face PTSD in their recovery, she says Kozakiewicz salutes all… Read more

Lesia Cartelli suffered severe burns at the age of 9 She operates a camp for young women with burn injuries Cartelli faced her fear of fire as an adult Editor’s note: In the Human Factor, we profile survivors who have overcome the odds…. Read more

Dr. Roberto Bolli directs the Institute of Molecular Cardiology in Louisville In 2009, Bolli launched the SCIPIO trial, which uses stem cells to repair hearts Patients in the trial saw dramatic improvements in their organs’… Read more

A 16-year-old girl awaits surgery at HEAL Africa hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her baby died after six days of labor, and she continuously leaks urine because of obstetric fistula. This woman, who has suffered from fistula… Read more

Before the term “vaccination” was coined, millions died every year from infectious diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis and yellow fever. But the birth of immunology brought with it cures for some of the world’s most deadly diseases. Click… Read more

CHICAGO (AP) — Gene flaws that raise the risk of breast cancer are surprisingly common in black women with the disease, according to the first comprehensive testing in this racial group. The study found that one-fifth of these… Read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — Actors Bradley Cooper and Glenn Close are among those gathering at the White House for a conference on mental health. Monday’s conference was organized as part of President Barack Obama’s response to last… Read more

CHICAGO (AP) — New research raises fresh questions about which cancer patients benefit from Avastin (uh-VAS’-tihn), a drug that lost its approval for treating breast cancer nearly two years ago. Two studies found that Avastin… Read more