A Safe Tan? No Way, Experts Say

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Young women say they flock to tanning salons to gain a healthy glow that adds to their natural beauty, protects them from the sun's rays and fills them with self-confidence.

From Tanning Beds to Melanoma Surgery

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Meghan Rothschild loved her tan.

California's Rural Elderly Have High Rates of Chronic Illness

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Older Californians who live in rural areas have higher rates of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease, than the elderly in urban and suburban areas, a new study finds.

Windows Pose Safety Risk for Young Children, Experts Warn

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Along with rising summer temperatures, the number of youngsters injured after falling from an open window also increases, experts say, with many children requiring hospitalization.

Obesity May Increase Risk of Surgical Complications

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Obese people who have elective surgery are nearly 12 times more likely to suffer from complications than those of normal weight, new research indicates.

Golf-Cart Head Injuries on the Upswing, Study Finds

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Golf carts are a popular mode of transportation on and off the links, but they also are a growing cause of serious head trauma, a new study finds.

Study Offers Update on Staph Pneumonia Trends in Children

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Cases of pneumonia in children caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria doubled over the last decade at a Texas hospital, and most of those infections were caused by a particularly aggressive, antibiotic-resistant strain, researchers say.

Ankle Braces May Protect Young Basketball Players

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Lace-up ankle braces may help prevent ankle sprains and fractures in high school basketball players, a new study finds.

Health Tip: Child Safety Seats

(HealthDay News) -- Every state requires that infants and children who ride in a car buckle up. But the laws vary when it comes to child safety seats.

Health Tip: The Benefits of Meditation

(HealthDay News) -- Meditation is gaining attention as a potential way to maintain well-being and good health. It can calm your mind, relax your body, and soothe your spirit. In addition, it's inexpensive and its risks are minimal.

Anxiety, Depression in Pregnancy May Raise Kids' Asthma Risk

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Children of women who experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy may be at greater risk for asthma, according to new research.

Europe's Suicides Up, Road Deaths Down After Economy Tanked

THURSDAY, July 7 (HealthDay News) -- Suicide rates increased in Europe since the start of the global financial crisis, while road deaths decreased, according to researchers.

Losing Weight, Keeping It Off Can Be Two Different Worlds

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Many dieters feel jubilant when they reach their weight goal, only to find that the pounds somehow return after that.

Behavioral Techniques a Better Value for Chronic Migraine Than Meds: Study

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- Behavioral treatments such as relaxation training, hypnosis and biofeedback to help prevent chronic migraine headaches are cost-effective alternatives to prescription drugs, a new study suggests.

Coping Strategy Depends on Strength of Emotion: Study

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- People tend to analyze low-intensity negative emotions in order to defuse them but are more likely to try to distract themselves when confronted with high-intensity negative feelings, a new study finds.

Men Who Smoke at Lower Risk of Joint Replacement: Study

FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) -- It is well-known that smoking is unhealthy, yet men who smoke are less likely than nonsmokers to require total hip or knee replacement, according to a new study.

Health Highlights: July 8, 2011

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: