The average American can expect to live to be nearly 77.9 years old, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compiled with data from 2005. Although just a slight increase over 2004 (.1), it is the longest life expectancy reported in the nation's history. Over the past decade, life expectancy has increased from 75.8 years in 1995. In 1955, it stood at 69.6 years.

One trend that has not changed, however, is the disparity among races. Life expectancy for whites in 2005 was at 78.3, while blacks only reached an average of 73.2

Despite the stigma attached and the health risks to the foetus, 10 percent of pregnant American women smoke, and new research suggests may also suffer from depression and researchers say it hinders their ability to kick the habit.

Recommending that prenatal care could include more mental health screenings, the researchers said that the message of "quit for your baby" is too simplified for smoking pregnant women to make them put down the butt

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched National Infant Immunization Week with events being held April 21-April 28 throughout the country.

The CDC in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stresses the importance to parents to immunize their infants in a timely fashion to prevent childhood diseases

A recent study suggests that the use of a pacifier in infants below one year of age is associated with a 90 percent reduction in sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. SIDS is any sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant aged one month to one year.

A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple given to an infant or other young child to suck upon. According to an article in Nursing for Women's Health, recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Task Force on SIDS, suggests that medical practitioners should give adequate knowledge to new parents on the potential benefits of using a pacifier

A recent study suggests that the use of a pacifier in infants below one year of age is associated with a 90 percent reduction in sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS. SIDS is any sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant aged one-month to one year.

A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple given to an infant or other young child to suck upon. According to an article in Nursing for Women's Health, recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Task Force on SIDS, suggests that medical practitioners should give adequate knowledge to new parents on the potential benefits of using a pacifier