![\"Internet-News_NC\"](\"http:\/\/images1.blisstree.com\/files\/2009\/12\/Internet-News_NC2.jpg\")
2000<\/strong>: The Human Genome Project<\/strong><\/em>. Scientists had been working on mapping out the genes of humans and finally, in June 2000, they were able to present their draft of the human genome.<\/p>\n2001<\/strong>: Anthrax scare<\/strong><\/em>. According to CNN.com news people, the anthrax scare made it to the top 10 news stories of the year. Envelopes with anthrax, a powdery, white substance, were being mailed to various locations throughout the United States. People were becoming afraid to open mail and any hint of a white powder set off security concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n 2002<\/strong>: Hormone replacement therapy<\/strong><\/em> became the new no-no in health. Researchers had been studying the use of hormones in 16,000 healthy postmenopausal women. The study was ended prematurely (after five years, instead of eight) because of an increase in the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, strokes and blood clots among women who were taking both estrogen and progestin.<\/p>\n 2003<\/strong>: SARS<\/strong><\/em> (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome) – In early 2003, SARS came on the scene very suddenly. The virus spread easily from person to person and had a death rate of almost 10%.<\/p>\n 2004<\/strong>: Although not technically a health story, the story of the year had to be one that happened within its last week: the tsunami<\/em><\/strong> that killed over 230,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean. This truly was a disaster of immense proportions and still affects the people in those countries today.<\/p>\n 2005<\/strong>: Terri Schiavo<\/strong><\/em>. On March 31, Terri Schindler Shiavo, died after becoming a cause celebre for living wills and the right to die. Fifteen years before, Terri experienced a cardiac arrest, at the age of 26 years. For 15 years, she remained alive only because of her feeding tube that provided nourishment directly into her stomach. Her husband wanted to discontinue her feedings, saying this is what Terri would have wanted. Her parents fought to keep Terri alive. (Terri’s foundation<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2007<\/strong>: Children’s Cough Medicine<\/em><\/strong> – another no-no. It was in 2007 that news hit the wires: cough medicines were not mean for children under the age of 2 years and should not be given to them, despite directions on the label. The FDA did say that if the child’s doctor recommended it, that was ok, but for parents not to routinely give their children this type of medication.<\/p>\n 2008<\/strong>: New CPR Guidelines<\/strong><\/em>: Out with the old number of compression combined with number of breaths. The idea of having to give breaths of air while doing chest compressions was changed when researchers found it was better just to give effective and rapid chest compressions. This allowed the blood to circulate and provide the brain with much needed fresh blood.<\/p>\n 2009<\/strong>: H1N1 Virus.<\/strong><\/em> The H1N1 virus, or so-called swine flu, took over the health news in 2009. Whether it was overblown hype or a true near-disaster, we may never know. If the world responded well and prevented massive infection and deaths, then it was a success. If the disease wasn’t as bad as originally felt, then maybe it was overblown. Whichever it is\/was, it was definitely the news maker of 2009.<\/p>\n ~~~<\/p>\n Images: iStock.com and PhotoXpress.com<\/p>\n Post from: Blisstree<\/a><\/p>\n![\"syringe\"](\"http:\/\/images1.blisstree.com\/files\/2009\/12\/needleSyringe.jpg\")
2006<\/strong>: HPV Vaccine, Gardasil<\/strong><\/em>. The United States FDA approved the use of Gardasil, a vaccine that helps reduce the infection rate of some forms of human papillomavirus, the virus that causes genital warts. Two of these viruses are known to contribute to the development of cervical cancer.<\/p>\n