Top doctors group declares gun deaths a 'public health crisis'  Days after the nation’s deadliest mass shooting, the American Medical Association (AMA) voted for the first time Tuesday to declare gun violence a “public health crisis" and to "actively lobby" to allow federal research on guns. The near-unanimous vote, though mostly symbolic, is a significant step that will push the powerful doctors group into a fierce political battle with Second Amendment supporters who have long argued that gun-related violence is no different from other violent acts.  It’s the first time the AMA’s policy-making arm has called the epidemic a “public health crisis” — the same language that sparked controversy in 2014 and nearly blocked U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy from his confirmation. Other doctors groups, including the American College of Physicians and American College of Surgeons, have already declared gun violence a public health crisis. But the topic has bee...

Family Planning for the Breastfeeding Woman Breastfeeding has important health benefits: * provides the best nutrition for the child * protects the baby from life-threatening diarrhea that other foods or contaminated water might cause * passes the mother's immunities to the child,  which helps protect the baby from life -threatening infectious diseases such as measles.  * Helps develop a close relationship between mother and child.  * May help protect the mother against breast cancer later in life.  Breast milk is the best food for nearly all babies.  In some situations the baby's life depends on continuing to breastfeed. Therefore it is very important to delay another pregnancy. Delaying pregnancy avoids early weaning and the many health problems that often result.  Breastfeeding itself helps to prevent pregnancy.  Breastfeeding alone,  without another family planning method,  can provide effective protection against pre...