Health Buzz: Vengeful Instincts, Divorce, and Other Health News

Why Divorcing Women Seek Revenge

Christie Brinkley's very public divorce proceedings were the subject of much media coverage before a settlement was reached last week. U.S. News's Deborah Kotz wonders what compels women (as well as men) to spend thousands on divorce lawyers—and air the dirty laundry—rather than give their soon-to-be-exes any "undeserved" assets. Michael McCullough, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and author of Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct, explains why people are naturally driven to seek revenge.

Follow the latest in women's health news and advice in Kotz's On Women blog.

How Athletes Can Breathe a Little Easier About Air Pollution

Pollution is a concern for all outdoor exercisers, for performance reasons and especially for its negative effects on the heart as well as the lungs, Katherine Hobson reports. That's especially true for athletes preparing for the upcoming Olympics, where the Beijing smog is infamous. One scientist is even encouraging athletes to wear masks when they're not competing, and the world-record holder in the marathon said he won't race in Beijing because of the bad air, heat, and humidity.

Previously, Hobson reported on aiming for the Olympics, regardless of age.

Employers Plan to Expand Wellness Programs Despite Unpopularity

A new study reports that employees don't like wellness programs very much, and employers don't think they're very effective at mitigating healthcare costs or improving employee performance, Michelle Andrews reports. Yet nearly half of the 561 companies that responded to the PricewaterhouseCoopers survey said they plan to expand their wellness programs over the next two years. Andrews explores why in her On Health & Money blog.

Last year, Andrews reported on incentives that companies offer to get employees to participate in wellness programs.

—January W. Payne