Barbara Feder Ostrov

<p>Consumer genetic tests for kids, problem drinkers and hospital infections, staph bacteria in meat and budget problems ahead for community clinics: all in today's Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Doctors aren't sure why girls are hitting puberty earlier, the link between brain damage and freeway pollution, and more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Fearful mental health workers, high hospital charges, and crazy movie theater soft drink sizes, plus more in today's Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Too much hype over a meditation-pain relief study, too many medical errors in hospitals, and too little preparation for radiation sickness in the U.S. - plus more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Remote Area Medical brings its massive free medical clinics to Oakland, Sacramento, a new treatment to prevent preemies and more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>There’s been <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?pz=1&amp;cf=all&amp;cf=all&amp;ncl=dIF… media coverage</a> of <a href="http://feedingamerica.org/our-network/the-studies/map-the-gap.aspx">Map the Meal Gap</a>, a new study from Feeding America. That’s a shame

<p>Why are doctors asking patients to sign a contract before prescribing painkillers? Answers and more in our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Heart disease is at least as ancient as Egyptian mummmies, researchers armed with CT scanners have found. Plus more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Some good news (finally!) about whooping cough, and a hospital mystery: why was a California hospital named as one of the nation's best when it's being investigated for patient safety problems?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yep, it's that time again: The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today released their second annual <a href="http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/">rankings of health in America's counties</a>. And so I'm reposting some context and story ideas from last year's rankings - they're still applicable this year.</p>