Curbing HIV: Two new studies show the same drugs used to treat HIV infection can also be used to lower the risk of heterosexual transmission of the virus, the WSJ reports. The studies, conducted in Africa, showed antiretroviral drugs marketed by Gilead Sciences could help cut the risk of infection by at least 62%. Research has previously shown that one of the drugs can help reduce transmission of the virus in gay and bisexual men by 44% — 73% when taken every day, as directed.
Happier Meals?: Nineteen restaurant chains say they will take steps to up the nutritional quality of their menu offerings for children as part of the National Restaurant Association’s Kids Live Well campaign, the Los Angeles Times reports. Burger King will give parents the option of swapping out fries and soda in kids’ meals for fruit and milk, the paper says. And all the restaurants will agree to offer at least one kid-targeted meal that has fewer than 600 calories and meets other nutritional benchmarks.
Proposing Cuts: Potential Medicare cuts proposed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor would chiefly reduce spending by shifting costs from the federal government to beneficiaries, public hospitals and states, the WSJ reports. But the $350 million in possible cuts would do little to address the tough-to-solve problem of rising health costs, the paper says.
Men and Cancer: A new study by National Cancer Institute researchers suggests men are more likely to develop cancer and therefore to die from the disease, possibly due in part to lifestyle choices and a lower rate of cancer screening, Health.com reports. Metabolic and hormonal differences may also play a role, the lead study author tells Health.com.