Reuters Health News Summary

Following is a summary of current health news briefs. Cholera, more civilian casualties feared in Libya: WHO

A month-old battle for Libya's capital Tripoli risks causing an "exponential" rise in civilian casualties as well as outbreaks of deadly diseases including cholera, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. Both sides are using ever more sophisticated weapons in a conflict straining life-saving hospital supplies near front lines that will last only a few more weeks, Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO representative in Libya, also said in an interview. U.S. government to require drugmakers to show prices in TV ads

The Trump administration on Wednesday said it will require drugmakers to disclose the list price of prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer television advertisements, part of the government's efforts to lower costs for U.S. consumers. The list price would be included if it is equal to or greater than $35 for a month's supply or the usual course of therapy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that the 10 most commonly advertised drugs have list prices ranging from $488 to $16,938 per month or usual course of therapy. Repetition helps preschoolers learn to eat healthy foods

By using the right words and repeating the phrases, adults can help young kids get over picky eating behaviors and eat healthier foods, according to a new study. Saying "Lentils will help you run faster," for instance, encourages preschoolers to understand the benefits and pick the foods they want, the study authors write in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. AstraZeneca-Daiichi breast cancer treatment shows promise in latest study

An experimental breast cancer drug being developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca and Japan's Daiichi Sankyo's met its main goal in a mid-stage study, bolstering their position in a highly competitive oncology market. AstraZeneca agreed in March agreed to pay up to $6.9 billion to work with Daiichi on the drug known as trastuzumab deruxtecan, in a direct challenge to Roche. Novartis confident of Zolgensma supply, calls $2 million price 'speculation'

Novartis is confident it has adequate production capacity for its Zolgensma gene therapy should regulators this month approve the drug for multiple forms of the genetic disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the Swiss drugmaker said on Wednesday. Basel-based Novartis has several clinical trials ongoing, including against SMA Type 1, which often kills infants before the age of two, as well as SMA Type 2, a slower-moving but still disabling form of the inherited disease where victims lack functioning copies of a gene needed for motor neuron development. Global obesity rising faster in rural areas than cities, study finds

Global rates of obesity among people who live in the countryside are rising faster than those among city dwellers, in part due to greater access in urban areas to healthier foods and places to exercise, researchers said on Wednesday. In a study of 33 years of trends in body mass index (BMI) across 200 countries and territories, the scientists found that people worldwide are getting heavier - with average weight rising by 5 to 6 kg (11 to 13 pounds) over the period of the study - and that most of the rise is due to gains in BMI in rural areas. Health funding gap means 1,700 in Gaza may face amputations: U.N.

A lack of health funding in Gaza means 1,700 people shot by Israeli security forces may have to have amputations in the next two years, Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for occupied Palestinian territory, told reporters on Wednesday. McGoldrick said 29,000 Palestinians had been wounded in protests in the past year, and 7,000 of them had gunshot wounds, mostly in the lower legs. Cholesterol-lowering drugs tied to reduced glaucoma risk

High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma, but a new study suggests taking statins to lower cholesterol helps to reduce this risk. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, typically because pressure builds up inside the eye. The current study focused on the most common form, known as open-angle glaucoma, which starts with gradual loss of peripheral vision. Radiation therapy consent forms too difficult to read

Cancer patients usually get written consent forms to sign before radiation that are supposed to clearly spell out the treatment risks, but a new U.S. study suggests these forms are too complex for most patients to easily understand. While radiotherapy has become more precise in recent years, it can still damage some healthy cells and tissues in addition to destroying the cancer. Common short-term side effects can include fatigue as well as skin problems like itching, blistering and peeling. Lasting side effects depend on the type and location of radiation therapy and can include more serious problems like new malignancies elsewhere on the body. Walmart raises U.S. tobacco purchase age to 21 starting in July

Walmart Inc said on Wednesday it will raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 across its U.S. stores starting July 1, responding to growing regulatory and political pressure to curb a surge in teenage use of e-cigarettes. It also pushed the world's largest retailer to say it discontinue the sale of fruit-and dessert-flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems.