Health Headlines for Thursday, December 22

U.S. says 6.4 million signed up for Obamacare from November 1: Dec. 19

Reuters

Roughly 6.4 million consumers signed up for Obamacare insurance on Healthcare.gov from Nov. 1 to Dec. 19 indicating “clear demand for quality, affordable coverage,” the U.S. government said on Wednesday.

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How hospitals, nursing homes keep lethal ‘superbug’ outbreaks secret

Reuters

The outbreak started in January 2014. That’s when a resident of the Casa Maria nursing home here was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile, a highly contagious and potentially deadly “superbug” that plagues hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

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Melanoma skin cancer diagnoses, deaths steadily climbing

CBS News

The average American’s chances of developing the most serious form of skin cancer have been steadily rising over the last seven years — and more Americans are dying from the disease.

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Why more expensive health care is not always better care

Albany Business Review

With the holiday shopping season heading into the homestretch, last-minute gift-givers are dashing out to their favorite retailers, hoping to find that perfect present.

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Sleep apnea tied to diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy

Reuters

Pregnant women who experience certain breathing problems during sleep may be more likely to develop complications like high blood pressure and diabetes, recent U.S. research suggests.

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