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Photos: The health week in review (July 17-23)

An independent panel of doctors and health experts recommended that health plans cover a broad range of contraceptives for women without co-pays. The health reform law, which already requires many preventive services to be covered without co-pay, directed the Department of Health and Human Services to seek input from clinicians and other authorities about which additional services should be covered for women. The resulting report from the Institute of Medicine listed eight recommendations, urging coverage for "the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling."

An independent panel of doctors and health experts recommended that health plans cover a broad range of contraceptives for women without co-pays. The health reform law, which already requires many preventive services to be covered without co-pay, directed the Department of Health and Human Services to seek input from clinicians and other authorities about which additional services should be covered for women. The resulting report from the Institute of Medicine listed eight recommendations, urging coverage for “the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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A visual stroll through this week’s health news, medical findings and trends.

Grocers promise expansion in 'food deserts'

National and regional grocers have banded together with First Lady Michelle Obama in an effort to bring fresh foods to impoverished neighborhoods by opening and expanding more than 1,500 U.S. grocery stores in those areas. National retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Supervalu Inc. and Walgreen Co., have agreed to open new stores or expand in areas the USDA calls “food deserts.” In California, a $200-million California FreshWorks Fund will provide financing at or below market rates to encourage grocers to set up shop in under-served communities.   (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

Public health officials concerned over increase in dissolvable tobacco products

As more dissolvable tobacco lozenges, sticks and strips are developed, tested and marketed, public health officials and anti-smoking advocates fear that the products will help initiate a new generation of smokers. The tobacco industry counters that the products contain far fewer cancer-causing chemicals than cigarettes, and may even help some eventually quit smoking. The FDA took up the issue during an advisory committee hearing this week.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Extreme heat: How it affects the body

Heat waves have caused record highs in cities across the Midwest and on the East Coast, and that kind of oppressive heat causes the body to respond to the imminent danger it senses. The heart beats faster, sweat starts dripping--and while people over age 60 are most vulnerable to suffocatingly hot conditions, experts say it’s best for most people to stay inside during excessive heat.  (Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

Bill Gates challenges universities to build sustainable toilet

The Gates Foundation is challenging universities to build a toilet that could save lives in developing countries — latrines that are hygienic, generate energy and don’t require running water or a septic system. The foundation is giving $41.5 million toward that end. Most people who live in Third World countries can’t afford modern-day flush toilets, and poor sanitation leads to many diarrhea-related deaths every year.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Woman takes plea for kidney to Craigslist

Selina Hodge, 28, needs a new kidney. She said she fears that just being on the waiting list at the University of Miami transplant center won’t save her--so she is begging for a kidney donor--on Craigslist. Hodge posted her appeal in May and again last week, and after additional TV publicity, has received hundreds of emails from news outlets, well-wishers and at least one person--a nurse--who offered to undergo blood tests to see if she’s a match to donate a kidney.   (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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