CDC Monitors Shortage of Hib Vaccine (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials said Thursday that a shortage of vaccine is leading them to monitor Hib infections, one of the most important causes of bacterial illness in young children.

Genetic Trait Linked to Alcoholism (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Variations in the genetic makeup of alcoholics may affect how much they drink, a new study suggests.

Specialized Stroke Care Improves Outcomes (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Stroke patients treated at community hospitals with specialized stroke care and telemedicine support from major stroke centers are more likely to survive and live independently than patients treated at hospitals without stroke units, a German study finds.

When the Caregiver Becomes the Patient (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The stress of providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer's results in 25 percent of family caregivers having at least one emergency room or hospital visit every six months, says an Indiana University study.

Clinical Trials Update: Nov. 20, 2008 (HealthDay)
HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of CenterWatch:

Parent Smoking During Pregnancy Raises Kids' Heart Risks (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Damage to the arteries of children of smokers can be detected in the early decades of their lives, a new Dutch study finds.

Vitamin D Deficit Could Lead to Heart Woes (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The lack of sunshine during winter may diminish vitamin D levels in the body and harm cardiovascular health, U.S. researchers say.

Colorectal Cancer Treatment Costs Vary Widely (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The cost of treating colorectal cancer can vary by tens of thousands of dollars per patient.

Health Highlights: Nov. 20, 2008 (HealthDay)
HealthDay - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

China says quake school toll over 19,000 (Reuters)
Reuters - Schools that collapsed during China's May 12 earthquake killed more than 19,000 people, nearly a quarter of the total deaths, an official said on Friday, giving the first government estimate.