Health Expert Craig Stoltz shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/91479/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/91479/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/91479/index http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/91479/29134/quitting Wed, 28 May 2008 09:51:00 -0400 Craig Stoltz A fascinating study with big implications for smokers concludes that an individual's decision to quit is influenced by members of their close social group--but also by people they don't even know. And whole groups of people with no direct relationships to each other quit simultaneously.   If this were not published in the New England Journal of Medicine, I'd write this off as low-grade survey-of-the-day "news."   What you need to... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/91479/29134/quitting http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/91479/28569/treatment-lot Thu, 22 May 2008 10:15:00 -0400 Craig Stoltz A new study suggests people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can stay out of the hospital—and possibly live longer--if they participate in a low-level management program. COPD is the medical name given to “smoker’s lung”: the persistent phlegmy cough and constricted breathing that’s nearly always caused by smoking.   So: A little treatment can go a long way. Let’s dig in.   Three... http://www.healthcentral.com/copd/c/91479/28569/treatment-lot