social | Page 31 of 33 | Health Newstrack

Male births increase postnatal depression

This research is the first to show that the birth of a boy reduces several dimensions of the mothers’ quality of life. Further research needs to explore the effectiveness of programmes targeting the construction of parenting skills as a preventative measure against PND, especially for parents of boys. – Giving birth to a boy can lead to higher levels of severe post-natal depression (PND) and reduced quality of life than having a girl, according to research published in the February issue of Journal of Clinical Nursing.

DCIS patients overestimate breast cancer risks

Many women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have inaccurate perceptions of their breast cancer risks, according to a study published online February 12 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. – Many women with newly diagnosed DCIS have inaccurate perceptions of the breast cancer risks that they face, and anxiety is particularly associated with these inaccurate perceptions.

Back pain expenses and disability rising

In US, self-reported back and neck problems accounted for a large proportion of health care expenditures. These spine-related expenditures have increased substantially from 1997 to 2005, without evidence of corresponding improvement in self-assessed health status. – Although expenses related to back and neck problems have increased substantially in the last decade in US, outcomes such as functional disability and work limitations do not appear to be improving, revealed by researchers.

Healthy lifestyle for long life

70-year-olds who take regular exercise, eat well, and do not smoke greatly increase their chance of living until 90. – A healthy lifestyle during the early elderly years-including weight management, exercising regularly and not smoking-may be associated with a greater probability of living to age 90 in men, as well as good health and physical function, according to a report in the February 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

7 new prostate cancer genetic risk factors identified

UK researchers identified more than 7 new genetic links to prostate cancer, 2 of which would be included in a new diagnostic test aimed at spotting men at risk from this disease. – 7 new sites in the human genome identified that are linked to men’s risk of developing prostate cancer, revealed by Cancer Research UK funded scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research and University of Cambridge.

In Vitro Fertilization Research Centre in AIIMS, India

Indian Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss inaugurated a test tube baby (IVF) centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India. – The Indian Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, dedicated to the Nation the first state of the art In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Research Centre established at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Obesity prescriptions up eight times in UK

In UK, more than 1 million prescriptions are made for obesity drugs a year – eight times the number dispensed seven years ago. – The number of prescriptions to treat obesity and overweight health problems in 2006 was increased eight times the number prescribed in 1999 in UK, revealed by Information Centre for health and social care (IC) as part of a wider report on obesity and the health of people in England.

Depression risk high in middle aged worldwide

Miserable middle age is a global phenomenon, according to an analysis of depression and happiness among 2m people in 80 countries. – Using data on 2 million people, from 80 nations, researchers from the University of Warwick and Dartmouth College in the US have found an extraordinarily consistent international pattern in depression and happiness levels that leaves us most miserable in middle age.

Chromosomal abnormalities play substantial role in autism

Chromosomal abnormalities play substantial role in autism, revealed in a study. Noting this change would help early diagnosis for autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – a kind of developmental disorder. – Genome-wide scans of families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have revealed new evidence that previously unknown chromosomal abnormalities have a substantial role in the prevalent developmental disorder, according to a report published online Jan. 17th in the American Journal of Human Genetics, a publication of Cell Press.

Climate change a rising risk to health

The effects of climate change on various aspects including natural resources, agricultural activity, population health, and social and economic development. – Climate change could have far-reaching negative impacts on the health of rural Australians, reported in a study co-authored by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist. The report published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health.