Affordable Health Insurance

Revealing Genetic Secrets Through Hair

Sunday 30 September 2007 at 6:34 pm Historically, hair has had a magical and almost cultic importance in human history and was, for instance, believed to be a source of power.

Now hair is also the source of answers to a number of questions. The new DNA-method will give us more precise information about why the mammoth died out, or what the ingredients are in the cocktail of human races that are mixed in Europe and elsewhere. And in the future, it may be an improved tool for the police and in forensics to solve crimes.

"So far you would have to drill in old bones if you wanted to compare the genetic imprint of mammoths to that of elephants, or if you wanted to see how they coped during the ice-age before they died out. Usually, the problem is that the remaining DNA samples have been scarce, and that they have been "polluted" by bacteria. But DNA from hair is very clean because it has been encapsulated in keratin, a kind of plastic membrane that protects the hair and the DNA. Think about all the extinct furred animals that are displayed on museums around the world. There is a lot of work waiting for us" says Thomas Gilbert. (more)

Global Warming May Boost Deaths

Sunday 30 September 2007 at 6:32 pm Hotter Summers May Mean More Heat-Related Deaths, Experts Predict
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 28, 2007 -- Global warming may boost heat-related premature deaths, new research suggests.

The researchers -- who included Columbia University's Kim Knowlton, PhD -- don't claim to know exactly how hot it's going to get.

But Knowlton's team predicts a rise in heat-related premature deaths in New York state, based on two models of global warming.

Knowlton and colleagues checked summer temperatures and heat-related premature deaths in New York state in the 1990s. (more)

Senate OKs Children's Health Care Bill

Saturday 29 September 2007 at 1:56 pm President Bush Pledges to Veto
By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 27, 2007 -- The Senate approved a large expansion to children’s health insurance programs Thursday night, clearing the way for the bill to be sent to President Bush, who has promised a veto.

The bill got the support of 69 senators, more than enough to override a veto. But the 265 votes the bill received in the House earlier this week is 25 votes short of the number required for an override there.

Lawmakers praised the bill as a model of bipartisan compromise on normally contentious health care issues. (more)

FDA: Stop giving cold, cough meds to toddlers

Saturday 29 September 2007 at 1:51 pm WASHINGTON (AP) -- Very young children simply should not take some commonly used cold and cough medicines, federal health officials say in recommending that the "consult your physician" advice to parents on the labels be dropped.

The preliminary recommendation, from Food and Drug Administration safety officials, would apply to decongestant use in children under 2, and antihistamines in those younger than 6, according to agency documents released Friday.

The more than 350 pages of documents are part of a broad and ongoing FDA examination of whether the roughly 800 medicines, many popular and widely used, are safe and effective in treating children's colds and coughs. (more)

Any Type of Alcohol Drink Raises Breast Cancer Risk, New Study

Friday 28 September 2007 at 11:45 am A large US study suggests that it did not matter whether women drank beer, wine or spirits, they all raised the risk of breast cancer to the same extent. And more than three alcoholic drinks a day raised breast cancer risk by 30 per cent, compared to women who had less than one drink a day, said the researchers.

The study, one of the largest of its kind, was presented yesterday, Thursday, at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona, Spain, and is the work of Dr Arthur Klatsky, adjunct investigator in the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, US, and colleagues.

Klatsky and colleagues showed that it made no difference what type of alcoholic drink the women had, it was the fact they contained ethyl alcohol that mattered, and how much was consumed. (more)

Organic Food Grows in Popularity

Friday 28 September 2007 at 11:43 am Local Foods Making the List, Too; Cost Is No. 1 Barrier, Survey Shows
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 27, 2007 -- Organic foods and local foods are becoming grocery list staples for some Americans, a new poll shows.

In the GfK Roper Consulting poll, about 1,000 U.S. adults answered questions about how often (if ever) they buy local or organic foods. They also dished on their diets and cooking habits.

The poll report plays up the word "locavore," which is a term that refers to people who seek out foods that are grown or produced in their region. (more)

Diabetes Treatment a Burden to Many

Friday 28 September 2007 at 11:40 am Insulin Injections Cause Most Distress
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 27, 2007 - Diabetes is now largely manageable, thanks to today's treatments. But while these treatments keep patients healthy, some perceive them to be almost as bad as the disease itself, new research shows.

The typical diabetes treatment regimen involves daily pills to control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. And patients who require insulin may need multiple shots a day.

Add to this the frequent finger pricks to monitor blood sugar, and strict instructions on diet and exercise, and many patients find the day-to-day burden of managing their disease to be too much, says Elbert Huang, MD, of the University of Chicago. (more)

Fruits, Veggies Don't Cut Colon Cancer

Wednesday 26 September 2007 at 09:49 am But Cancer Risk Higher Among People With the Lowest Intake of Fruits and Vegetables, Researchers Say
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept.25, 2007 -- Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables doesn't appear to strongly reduce colon cancer risk, but it may help protect slightly against getting one type of colon cancer, according to a new analysis.

Researchers pooled the results of 14 studies that included more than 750,000 men and women followed for six to 20 years, hoping to resolve the ongoing debate of whether fruits and veggies significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer. Studies have produced conflicting findings. (more)

Too Much And Too Little Sleep Doubles Heart Death Risk

Tuesday 25 September 2007 at 11:18 am A new UK study suggests that both too much and too little sleep can more than double the risk of death from heart disease.

To be published in the journal SLEEP, the study is the work of scientists from the University of Warwick and University College London and was presented yesterday, Monday 24th September to a meeting of the British Sleep Society.

Study author, Professor Francesco Cappuccio from the University of Warwick's Warwick Medical School said the study involved over 10,000 civil servants from the Whitehall II Study and investigated the link between patterns of sleep and mortality rates in the group.

The researchers looked at participants' sleep patterns during 1985 to 1988 and then again during 1992 to 1993, and monitored their mortality rate until 2004. (more)

Diet, Drugs May Stop Prostate Cancer

Tuesday 25 September 2007 at 11:15 am Trials Poised to Identify Prevention Strategies
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 24, 2007 -- How to lower cancer risk in men is one of the hottest areas in prevention research. Now a new study shows there should be some definitive answers on prostate cancer within the next few years.

A host of trials are under way investigating drug treatments, nutritional supplements, and foods that have shown promise for the prevention of prostate cancer.

Urologist and prostate cancer researcher Neil Fleshner, MD, MPH, of the University of Toronto, says these trials should soon lead to effective evidence-based strategies to prevent the disease. (more)

Period makeovers: Fixes for heavy bleeding, cramps, PMS

Tuesday 25 September 2007 at 11:03 am Katherine Sutherland, an OB-GYN in Mountain View, California, knows something about terrible periods -- and not just from her patients. She used to go through tampons every hour, excusing herself to go to the bathroom between appointments. Heavy bleeding made doing what she really loved --hiking -- especially difficult. Truth is, she wanted her period to go away altogether. In 2003 Sutherland, then age 51, got her wish. She had a minor surgical procedure called endometrial ablation, or by its brand name, NovaSure, to remove her uterine lining and stop heavy bleeding. And she hasn't had a period since. "I was delighted," she says. "Up until that time I'd never missed one period." Sutherland recently hiked 8,000 feet to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru.

Many women, perhaps 95 percent, have period issues -- bleeding like Sutherland's, debilitating pain, out-of-control PMS, or annoyances such as constipation or diarrhea. Thanks to a variety of new remedies that can make over (or eliminate!) periods, you don't have to suffer. We've collected the best fixes for five of your most common problems. (more)

Asthma Hits Black Patients Worse, Not Matter What The Disease Severity Is

Monday 24 September 2007 at 8:34 pm Hospitalization or a visit to the emergency department is more likely for black patients with asthma than for white patients, regardless of what the managed care settings are, according to an article published in Archives of Internal Medicine (JAMA/Archives), September 24th issue.

As background information, the authors explain that black patients who suffer from asthma have worse control of their symptoms and are more likely to be hospitalized than white patients. The reasons could be differences in access to good health care, lower socioeconomic status, behavioral, genetic, environmental, poor communication between patient and doctor, and racial bias among doctors. Prior studies had found that even when such variables as socioeconomic status were factored in the racial disparities in asthma outcomes persisted. (more)

Sex Boost From Late Hormone Therapy

Monday 24 September 2007 at 8:32 pm But No Memory Benefit From Hormone Therapy Years After Menopause
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 24, 2007 -- Hormone therapy begun years after menopause doesn't improve mental function, but it does boost sexual interest, researchers find.

Forgetfulness is more of a problem for women during and after menopause than it is before menopause. Does this mean the hormonal changes of menopause cause a decline in mental function? And if so, can hormone therapy help?

Studies suggest that hormone therapy begun during menopause can preserve mental function. Might later hormone therapy do the same? (more)

In Pursuit Of Aging, Osteoporosis Genes

Saturday 22 September 2007 at 1:56 pm Researchers at Hebrew SeniorLife's Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) have examined close to 100,000 genetic markers for low bone mass and aging to help determine which genes are responsible for the development of osteoporosis and longevity.

One of the HSL studies surveyed the entire human genome (all the genetic material in a living organism), called a genome-wide association study (GWAS), to look for common genetic variations in hereditary osteoporosis traits, such as bone mineral density.

"We've examined nearly 100,000 genetic markers," says Douglas Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., director of medical research at IFAR and co-author of two of the papers, "We're using this data and bone measurements over the years to see if bone mass is associated with certain genetic markers. We're looking for the genes for osteoporosis." (more)

Longevity Study In Flies Reveals That Just 14 Brain Cells Guard The Secret

Saturday 22 September 2007 at 1:55 pm Two years ago, Brown University researchers discovered something startling: Decrease the activity of the cancer-suppressing protein p53 and you can make fruit flies live significantly longer.

Now the same team reports an intriguing follow-up finding. The p53 protein, they found, may work its lifespan-extending magic in only 14 insulin-producing cells in the fly brain.

"It's quite surprising," said Johannes Bauer, a postdoctoral research fellow at Brown. "In the fruit fly brain, there are tens of thousands of cells. But we found that it takes a reduction of p53 activity in only 14 of those brain cells to extend lifespan. It was like finding a needle in the haystack -- a very small needle at that." (more)

Nutty About Peanut Butter

Saturday 22 September 2007 at 1:49 pm Shopping, eating, and cooking tips for peanut butter, an all-American favorite.
By Elaine Magee, RD, MPH
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - Expert ColumnAs American as apple pie, peanut butter has made its mark on American cuisine since the early 1900s. Whether it's partnering with jelly on bread or is the featured ingredient in cookie dough, it's an enduring favorite. Most households have a jar of it in the kitchen at all times.

But is peanut butter good for you? Well, like most nut butters, peanut butter is high in fat and calories (with around 190 calories and 16 grams of fat per 2 tablespoons). But the good news is, you get a lot of nutrition for your 190-calorie investment. Nuts and nut butters are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. (more)

Why You Can't Overlook a Pretty Face

Friday 21 September 2007 at 12:33 pm If You're Single, You're Interested; If You're Committed, You're on Guard, Study Suggests
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 20, 2007 -- Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the eye finds it really hard to look away from the physically attractive -- and new research shows why that is.

It all boils down to your relationship status, suggest Florida State University (FSU) psychology researchers including Jon Maner, PhD.

In a paper titled "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," they suggest that heterosexual singles gaze at physically attractive people of the opposite sex because they're looking for a potential mate. (more)

If you see it, you'll eat it, expert says

Friday 21 September 2007 at 12:26 pm ITHACA, New York (CNN) -- We are powerless to ignore the clarion call of the candy jar, the beckoning of the buffet, the summons of the snack cupboard.

That's the conclusion of Brian Wansink, author of "Mindless Eating" and head of Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab.

Wansink has spent a career watching how people behave around food -- at home and work, in sit-down restaurants and buffets, and in the many other places where Americans routinely chow down.

"We believe we have all the free will in the world. We believe we overeat if the food is good or if we're really hungry. In reality, those are two of the last things that determine how much we eat," Wansink says. What really influences our eating, he says, are visibility and convenience. (more)

Causes of Dizziness Same in Young, Old

Thursday 20 September 2007 at 10:57 am Reseachers Say There Is No Specific Dizziness Syndrome for Elderly
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 19, 2007 -- Dizziness is one of the most common complaints of the elderly, but its causes are no different in older people than in any other age group, new research shows.

As many as one in three people over age 65 experience frequent dizziness, according to one study. Because the condition occurs so often, it has been suggested that a specific syndrome linked to aging is a major cause. (more)

Apples May Keep Asthma Away

Wednesday 19 September 2007 at 6:35 pm Eating Apples During Pregnancy May Help Prevent Asthma in Kids
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 19, 2007 – Eating an apple a day may help pregnant women prevent asthma and wheezing in their children.

Hand Foam Fights Bacteria Better

Wednesday 19 September 2007 at 6:34 pm Sanitizing Product Under Development Uses Triclosan as Its Active Ingredient
By Charlene Laino
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept 19, 2007 (Chicago) -- A new hand foam fights bacteria better and longer than commercially available alcohol gels, researchers report.

Nutritionists: Soda making Americans drink themselves fat

Wednesday 19 September 2007 at 6:32 pm (CNN) -- If you're searching for a villain in America's obesity epidemic, most nutritionists tell you to put one picture on the wanted poster: a cold, bubbly glass of soda pop.

"Liquid candy" to detractors, sweetened soft drinks are so ubiquitous that they contribute about 10 percent of the calories in the American diet, according to government data.

In fact, said Dr. David Ludwig, a Harvard endocrinologist whose 2001 paper in the Lancet is widely cited by obesity researchers, sweetened drinks are the only specific food that clinical research has directly linked to weight gain. (more)

San Francisco Offers Health Care To All Uninsured Residents

Tuesday 18 September 2007 at 12:30 pm As part of an effort to "patch an inadequate federal system," the city of San Francisco has launched a program to offer subsidized or no-cost health care for all of the city's 82,000 uninsured adults, the New York Times reports. Healthy San Francisco, the first effort in the nation of a locality to offer health care to all of its residents, is being financed primarily by the city.

The San Francisco government is "gambling that it can provide universal and sensibly managed care to the uninsured for about the amount being spent on their treatment now, often in emergency rooms," according to the Times. The program had an initial trial period of two months in two Chinatown clinics and is expected to expand to additional locations on Sept. 17. (more)

Gene May Make Sweat Smell Sweet

Tuesday 18 September 2007 at 12:28 pm Gene Variation May Explain Why People Like or Detest the Smell of Men's Sweat
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 17, 2007 -- Ah, the sweet smell of ... men's sweat? Scientists report that to some noses, male sweat chemicals smell pleasant -- and a certain gene may be why.

The sense of smell is highly personal. One person's favorite fragrance may make someone else wrinkle their nose.

A new study, published online in the journal Nature, hints at the genetic roots of those preferences. (more)

Hillary Clinton Believes America Is Ready For Universal Health Care

Monday 17 September 2007 at 3:18 pm According to Hillary Clinton, the USA is prepared for universal health care, and she has the know-how and vision to make it a reality. This is not the first time H Clinton has struggle to get universal healthcare for America - she tried in vain fourteen years ago when her husband was president. She introduced a proposal to provide full coverage for every American - but was defeated. Hillary Clinton believes that her experience will help her get the job done better than anyone else.

Ever since H Clinton's first attempt fourteen years ago, universal health care has not been at the tip of every presidential candidate's tongue. This has now changed. Any self-respecting presidential candidate who wants a good chance at being considered for the post this time round is making sure health care is kept well at the forefront of his/her speeches. (more)

Soft Drink Makers Back Federal Rules

Monday 17 September 2007 at 3:16 pm Soda Industry Says it Will Support Bill to Curb School Vending
By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 14, 2007 – After years of opposition, soda and soft drink manufacturers are now backing efforts for new federal rules restricting snacks and sugary drinks in schools, an industry representative says.

The shift comes as lawmakers in Washington prepare to debate a proposal touted by supporters as a step toward stemming rising rates of childhood obesity. The bill would force the government to update 35-year-old nutrition standards that allow the sale of sodas and low-nutrition snack food in vending machines and at a la carte counters. (more)

Cancer Society ads: Lack of insurance costing lives

Monday 17 September 2007 at 3:12 pm ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The American Cancer Society is devoting its entire $15 million advertising budget for 2007 to highlight the problems faced by Americans who don't have any or enough health insurance.

The society says that, because they lack insurance, people may not be getting the checkups they need to catch cancer early, when treatments are more successful.

"Reducing suffering and death from cancer may only truly be possible if all Americans are able to visit their doctor for regular checkups, early detection screening tests and prompt, quality cancer treatment if and when they need it," said Richard C. Wender, national volunteer president of the society. (more)

Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy?

Friday 14 September 2007 at 12:57 pm Do those eye-catching shoes have a place in good foot care? Doctors and consumers share their views.
By Heather Hatfield
WebMD FeatureReviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MDCrocs -- those clog-like shoes in bright colors -- are an up-and-coming trend on the feet of Americans. The shoe might not match everyone's idea of fashion, but fans swear by its comfort. And Croc lovers say they bring health benefits to the two extremities that carry us all the places we go.

Are Crocs really good for our feet? Or is this footwear phenom just a passing fad? WebMD got some feedback from doctors, consumers, and the shoe's creators.

A History of the Croc (more)

5 nutritious habits of the planet's healthiest countries

Friday 14 September 2007 at 12:54 pm If you've vacationed in an international destination, you know that learning about its food is one of the best ways to become familiar with a new culture. But lately, Americans have also taken greater interest in global cuisine because of health benefits attributed to certain styles of eating.

Books, such as "The French Diet: The Secrets of Why French Women Don't Get Fat," by Michel Montignac, and ongoing nutrition studies of the so-called Mediterranean diet and Asian foods continue to garner new headlines.

We've sifted through the research to offer the following eating and meal-planning tips. Making small changes in the way you eat can bring big health benefits -- and more enjoyment -- to your table. (more)

Congress Addresses Several Issues Related To Health Care

Friday 14 September 2007 at 12:52 pm Summaries of news coverage on several recent congressional actions related to health care appear below.
Generic medications: A measure that would allow FDA to approve generic versions of medications regardless of safety concerns raised by citizen petitions likely will not change agency practices, a current and a former FDA official said last week, CongressDaily reports. The provision is in the House and Senate bills to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. In some cases, brand-name pharmaceutical companies file petitions, which FDA must resolve before approval of generic versions of medications, to delay competition. FDA Chief Counsel Sheldon Bradshaw and former Chief Counsel Dan Troy said that the provision would not change agency practices related to such petitions because FDA officials would not risk approval of a generic version of a medication later found to have safety concerns. The provision also would require FDA to resolve such petitions within 180 days, but Troy said that the agency lacks the resources to meet such a requirement (Edney, CongressDaily, 9/11). (more)

Healthy Aging Becoming More Common

Thursday 13 September 2007 at 7:29 pm Healthy Aging Becoming More Common
Older Americans Faring Better Than Past Generations -- but Will the Boomers Do the Same?
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 13, 2007 -- America's population isn't just getting older -- it's aging more healthfully than in the past, CDC researchers report.

But the U.S. still faces some challenges to healthy aging, report Ellen Kramarow, PhD, and colleagues in the journal Health Affairs.

Kramarow's team works at the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. They rounded up data on the health of people aged 65 and older in the U.S. (more)

Loneliness May Affect Genes

Thursday 13 September 2007 at 7:28 pm Certain Genes May Be More or Less Active in Lonely People, Raising Health Risks
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 13, 2007 -- Scientists say they've found a genetic "fingerprint" of loneliness that may partly explain why persistent loneliness is unhealthy.

Don’t take the findings the wrong way. The researchers aren't saying that genes doom some people to loneliness and destin others for rich relationships.

Rather, the new loneliness gene research shows that certain genes may be more or less active in lonely people -- and that may dim the health of the lonely. (more)

California Health Care Proposal Compromise Appears Unlikely

Wednesday 12 September 2007 at 7:51 pm A compromise on a health care reform plan in California appears unlikely as the state Legislature prepares to adjourn on Sept. 14, setting the stage for a special legislative session and potentially a statewide ballot measure to decide how to fund the proposal, the New York Times reports.

Steven Maviglio, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D), said both houses are expected to pass state Democrats' health care legislation early this week. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is expected to veto the bill and call a special legislative session to continue the debate (Sack, New York Times, 9/9). (more)

US Employer Health Premiums Up 6.1 Per Cent

Wednesday 12 September 2007 at 7:49 pm Employer sponsored health insurance premiums in the US went up on average by 6.1 per cent in 2007 compared to 2006, outstripping workers' pay (rose by 3.7 per cent on average) and overall inflation (up by 2.6 per cent).

These are the key findings of the 2007 Employer Health Benefits Survey announced this week by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust. A version of the report is published in the September/October issue of the journal Health Affairs.

The average health insurance premium for a family now amounts to 12,106 dollars a year, with workers on average paying 3,281 dollars. (more)

Family Insurance Premiums Top $12,000

Wednesday 12 September 2007 at 7:47 pm Costs Continue to Rapidly Outpace Wages
By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 11, 2007 – The cost of health insurance for the average family of four now tops $12,000 per year, according to an annual survey released Tuesday.

The report shows that workplace medical insurance premiums went up an average of 6.1% over the past year to reach $12,106. Average wages went up 3.7% over the same period, concluded the study, issued by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Though this year’s growth in prices is the slowest seen since 2003, researchers warn that premiums have now gone up nearly 80% since 2001. (more)

Take Vitamin D, Live Longer?

Tuesday 11 September 2007 at 10:36 am People Who Take Vitamin D Supplements May Be More Likely to Outlive Others, Experts Say
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 10, 2007 -- Taking vitamin D supplements may help people live longer, according to a new research review. But it's not yet clear exactly how vitamin D does that.

The new review, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, comes at a time when vitamin D is a hot topic linked to benefits including lower risk of some cancers and fewer falls for elders. (more)

Everything you need to know about caring for your kids' teeth

Tuesday 11 September 2007 at 10:34 am For the first time in decades, cavities in kids are on the rise. As many as 28 percent of children ages 2 to 5 have cavities in their baby teeth. What can you do to keep your child's teeth healthy? Answers to your most pressing dental questions, for babies on up:

Q: What's the best way to keep my child from getting cavities?

A: The health of your child's teeth is largely dependent on four things: diet, oral hygiene, tooth makeup, and the amount and quality of her saliva (which helps rinse away food and bacteria). Since saliva and the strength of her teeth are based mainly on genes -- and out of your control -- focus on what you can influence: eating and cleaning. (more)

New Web Resource To Address Global Drinking Water Crisis

Monday 10 September 2007 at 3:21 pm WHAT:
Diseases caused by unsafe drinking water are among the world's most serious public health threats, accounting for nearly 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries and killing millions of people -- mostly children -- each year.

The U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Global Health and Education Foundation are joining with more than 125 science, engineering, and medical academies around the world to take action on the drinking water crisis faced by many countries by launching the Web site "Safe Drinking Water Is Essential," http://www.drinking-water.org/. (more)

Dramatic Increase in Teen Suicide

Monday 10 September 2007 at 3:19 pm CDC Reports Largest Spike in Teen Suicide Rate in 15 Years
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 6, 2007 -- There is a sharp rise in suicides across the board in teens, says the CDC.

They are up 76% in girls aged 10-14, up 32% in girls aged 15-19, and up 9% in boys aged 15-19. It's the biggest spike in 15 years, the CDC's latest teen-suicide statistics show.

"This is a dramatic and huge increase" in pre-teen and teen suicide, Ileana Arias, PhD, director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, said at a news conference. "We are seeing this increase in significantly younger Americans than we have seen in the past." (more)

Daily Express Claims Surrounding Fish Oil And MS

Sunday 09 September 2007 at 1:06 pm The MS Society has responded to yesterday's Daily Express article, which carried a personal account of the benefits of fish oil in the diet of someone with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The report was written on the back of recent research that has suggested oily fish may help to slow the disabling effects of MS.

Matthew Trainer, head of communications for the MS Society said: "The latest study is a small one - only ten people took part - but it adds to the limited body of evidence that suggests fish oils might help slow down the disabling effects of MS.

"Not all health professionals agree, however, that fatty acids benefit people with MS any more than they would anyone else. (more)

Flu Vaccines Cut Kids' Doctor Visits

Sunday 09 September 2007 at 1:02 pm Reminder: Yearly Flu Vaccination Is Recommended for All Kids Aged 6 Months to 5 Years
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 7, 2007 -- There is more incentive to get an annual flu vaccine for kids: It can make life easier on parents, researchers say.

If you have children 6 months to 5 years old, they're due for their yearly flu vaccination, and new research shows that those flu vaccines may mean fewer trips to the doctor's office. (more)

Bigger Waist, Bigger Colon Cancer Risk

Saturday 08 September 2007 at 4:24 pm Obesity -- Especially Abdominal Obesity -- Increases Colon Cancer Risk
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 7, 2007 – The bigger your waistline, the bigger your risk of colon cancer.

This finding, from an analysis of 30 long-term studies of colon cancer, reinforces the link between obesity and colon cancer in men and, to a lesser extent, in women. Obesity, the study shows, boosts the risk of rectal cancer in men but not in women.

Perhaps most importantly, the study suggests that belly fat is more relevant to colon cancer risk than fat in other places. For every 4 inches gained around the waist, the risk of colon cancer goes up 33% in men and 16% in women. (more)

Arthritis Of Knee Might Be First Sign Of Type Of Lung Cancer

Thursday 06 September 2007 at 12:24 pm Heavy smokers are susceptible to a type of lung cancer that is hard to treat - arthritis of the knee could be the first sign of this type of cancer, according to a report published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

In the study, the researchers looked at the case notes of all patients who suffered from rheumatic disorders who were diagnosed at one tertiary referral center over a period of six years. Over 6,599 new patients attended the clinic during 2000-2005. 296 (4.4%) of them had monoarthritis of the knee - just one knee had inflammation. Just under 2% of them had undiagnosed (at that time) non-small cell lung cancer - they were all middle-aged men who had been heavy smokers for most of their lives.

Once their lung cancer had been operated on and the cancerous tissue removed, their knee symptoms subsided. (more)

Turn Off Cell Phones in Hospital Rooms

Thursday 06 September 2007 at 12:22 pm Cell Phones May Interfere With Some Critical Care Medical Devices, Experts Say
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 5, 2007 -- Dutch doctors today reminded hospital visitors to turn off their cell phones -- for the sake of health, not etiquette.

The reason: Cell phones may interfere with critical care equipment such as ventilators and external pacemakers, report the University of Amsterdam's Erik Jan van Lieshout, MD, and colleagues. (more)

5 mistakes parents make with newborns -- and how to avoid them

Thursday 06 September 2007 at 12:20 pm ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- When you take your bundle of joy home from the hospital, it's inevitable you won't do everything right. We asked pediatricians for the five most common mistakes parents make with their newborns.

Letting a newborn sleep through the night

"One of the things that makes me cringe is when parents say to me, 'The first night home from the hospital she slept all the way through the night!' " says Dr. Lance Goodman, a pediatrician in Boca Raton, Florida. "I tell them, 'Oh no! She's not supposed to be doing that!' " (more)

Turning On Fat Burning Gene To Make You Lose Weight

Wednesday 05 September 2007 at 11:33 am Tweaking a gene that influences whether your body accumulates or burns up fat may not be such a far-fetched dream for millions of overweight/obese people around the world. Scientists in the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA believe that may have found a way of doing just this. They say that turning up the volume on "the skinny gene" could eventually lead to treatment that prevents and treats obesity and diabetes.

You can read about this latest research in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Senior author of this latest study, Jonathan Graff, said "There's a 'skinny gene' out there, and when it's reduced in function, animals become fat. It works in fat cells and not by changing appetite, and could account for what I would call this epidemic of obesity and diabetes." (more)

1 Decade, 40 Times More Bipolar Kids

Wednesday 05 September 2007 at 11:21 am Child Bipolar Explosion -- or Rampant Misdiagnosis?
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 4, 2007 -- Today's children and teens are 40 times more likely to have bipolar disorder than were the children of 10 years ago.

That's 20 times faster than the growth in diagnoses of adult bipolar disorder over the same decade. Are we only now discovering a huge reservoir of untreated psychiatric illness? Or is there an epidemic not of disease, but of misdiagnosis and overtreatment? (more)

Risk Of Smoking Greater In Girls Who Commence Dieting

Tuesday 04 September 2007 at 9:04 pm Starting to diet seems to double the odds a teenage girl will begin smoking, a University of Florida study has found.

UF researchers, who analyzed the dieting and smoking practices of 8,000 adolescents, did not find the same link in boys, who were also less likely than girls to diet, according to findings in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

"Dieting was a significant predictor of initiation of regular smoking among females," said Mildred Maldonado-Molina, Ph.D., a UF assistant professor of epidemiology and health policy research and lead author of the study. "We were expecting that this relationship was going to be stronger among females. That has been well-documented, especially because (nicotine) can suppress your appetite. (more)

How Much Booze Is Good For You?

Tuesday 04 September 2007 at 9:00 pm Light Drinking Helps Health -- but a Little Too Much Is Far Worse Than None
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 4, 2007 -- Light drinking helps heart health. But more than one drink a day for women and more than two daily drinks for men are harmful.

That's the bottom line from a state-of-the-art review of drinking and health by University of Missouri cardiologist James H. O'Keefe, MD, and colleagues.

The researchers note that study after study shows health benefits for moderate drinking. These benefits appear to come not from the type of alcohol, but from the alcohol itself. (more)

Smoking In Movies Influences Teens To Become Established Smokers

Monday 03 September 2007 at 6:14 pm The more teenagers watch smoking in movies the higher their risk is of becoming established smokers who have consumed over 100 cigarettes during their lifetimes, says a report in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (JAMA/Archives).

Previous studies have indicated that the more teenagers are exposed to smoking in movies the more likely they are to start smoking. The authors wrote "However, not all adolescents who try smoking go on to become dependent smokers; half of high school seniors have tried smoking at some time, but only 7 percent are current daily smokers of half a pack or more. Little is known about the factors that discriminate adolescents who progress to dependent smoking from those who do not." (more)

Underage Drinking Hits Grade School

Monday 03 September 2007 at 6:12 pm Fifth Grade Is the Key Time for Prevention Efforts, Expert Says
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDAug. 31, 2007 -- The prime time to prevent child alcohol use is when kids are in fifth grade, according to a new report on underage drinking.

"Substantial numbers of children do in fact have experience with alcohol," warns researcher John Donovan, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh.

Donovan notes that while most children don't use alcohol on a regular basis, the number of children who use alcohol rises between grades four and six. (more)

More Seeking Health Information Online

Saturday 01 September 2007 at 11:52 am More Than Half of All Americans Choose the Internet for Health Information
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDAug. 30, 2007 -- More Americans are searching for health information online than ever before, but they’re also becoming choosier about where they find it.

A new survey from the National Institutes of Health shows that 58% of adults looked for health or medical information on the Internet in 2005 compared with 51% in 2003. (more)

How four women quit smoking -- and you can too

Saturday 01 September 2007 at 11:46 am Everybody knows that smoking isn't good for you. But if you're a woman? "Hands down, smoking is the absolute worst thing you can do to your body," says Phyllis Greenberger, president and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research in Washington, D.C.

In fact, new research shows that the carcinogens in cigarettes, while harmful to everyone, are more dangerous for women, who are three times as likely as men to get aggressive forms of lung cancer and more likely to develop it at an earlier age. They're also more likely to die of lung cancer than breast cancer.

So why, oh, why do 20 million American women still light up? (more)