This time of year often brings up reflection and goal setting, even for the country's health agencies. As the year draws to a close, health successes and challenges were evaluated.

While cold and flu season amps up, antibacterial soap can begin to pop up everywhere as a prevention method. But are these products really protecting people?

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be physically challenging. Swollen, painful joints can affect a person psychologically, as well. Researchers have found that life has become easier for many patients today.

A link between camels and human infections with the MERS virus has been suspected by some, but until now, research had not definitively confirmed this suspicion.

While leukemia treatments can be uncomfortable, they also save lives. Still, reducing the discomfort of these treatments remains important, especially for the youngest patients.

As childhood obesity in the US has increased in the past decade, researchers have looked for options to treat it. One such option is a medication called metformin.

Patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which primarily affects the liver, face a higher chance of getting diabetes. Antiviral HCV medication, however, may improve diabetes outcomes.

For patients with type 2 diabetes, the medication canagliflozin has been shown to improve blood sugar levels and lower weight. Now, this therapy may also help those without diabetes to lose weight.

Many companies are making changes to encourage healthy lifestyle habits at work. But how effective are these efforts? Are they just trendy or do they improve the health of employees?

Weight loss can be a long journey. However, in a new study of obese children, the researchers found that changes to diet and exercise showed fairly quick results.