Preventive Care

Any woman capable of becoming pregnant should consider taking a daily supplement of folic acid.

Exercise is known to help patients lose weight and manage cholesterol, but many patients may be unaware of the other benefits of being physically active.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants working in retail clinics may not need to recommend celiac disease screening for patients lacking symptoms, including those at increased risk.

Although no malaria vaccine is currently available, an experimental one has potential to protect patients against the deadly infection.

The new 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be able to reduce a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer.

The 3-dose human papillomavirus vaccine series is recommended for all children aged 11 years and older, but miscommunication between health care providers and patients is preventing series completion for many.

Consuming a moderate amount of peanuts or peanut butter could prevent childhood obesity.

Although many retail clinicians treat their patients’ infections by prescribing them the highest tolerable dose of antibiotics, this may not be the best practice for preventing the evolution of drug-resistant diseases.

Nearly 20,000 children aged 5 years or younger are hospitalized for influenza-related complications each year, yet many parents remain uncertain of the flu vaccine’s importance or safety.

Expanding the use of vaccines could provide significant economic benefits that far outweigh the costs of immunization.

Those planning to watch the Super Bowl with fellow football fans should be aware of the increased risk for catching or transmitting the flu during these parties.

Although postsurgical complications are often a major concern for patients planning to undergo a procedure, retail clinicians are ideally placed to provide counseling on ways to prevent them.

Food allergies are a major concern for parents with young children, and many are taking their kids to local retail clinics for guidance on how to treat or even prevent these allergies.

Many smokers may be resolving to turn over a new leaf in 2016 by kicking the habit for good.

Parents can empower their teens to improve their health by allowing them to take the lead in asking and answering questions during regular check-ups.

Children with allergic disorders may have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, even at an early age.

As Americans finish their Thanksgiving leftovers and turn their thoughts to the holiday season, many have resolved to shed a few pounds after New Year's Day.

Two recently-created algorithms could provide retail clinicians with a new tool to evaluate a patient's risk of developing complications from diabetes.

Despite parents' growing understanding of the importance of childhood vaccines, a number of first-time expectant mothers do not plan to adhere to the recommended immunization schedule for their children.

Many Americans fail to receive recommended vaccines for infectious disease such as measles and hepatitis A before traveling abroad.

Clinicians now have a larger window of opportunity to prevent type 2 diabetes in at-risk patients.

Nurse practitioners are comparable with primary care physicians in curbing preventable hospitalizations among older patients with diabetes.

Only about 50% of pregnant women get vaccinated before or during their pregnancy.

Data from a recent study suggest that the influenza vaccine decreases the incidence of hospitalization with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Recent research out of The Netherlands looked to determine if sun exposure in adolescence could delay the onset of MS.

A new campaign is directed at teens in the multicultural hip-hop crowd who are, unfortunately, frequently exposed to tobacco marketing.

Insulin levels differed by up to 23% and glycemic control varied up to 62% depending on whether the pen was shaken or not.

Older adults are lagging behind when it comes to vaccination rates.

This year's vaccine against the flu is likely to be more effective.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the launch of a new program to help states end the ongoing prescription drug overdose epidemic.