Obese women who have bariatric surgery before getting pregnant are at significantly lower risk for developing dangerous hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. – Obese women who undergo bariatric surgery before having a baby have a much lower risk of developing serious health problems during pregnancy, finds a study published on bmj.com today.
Study identifies food combination associated with reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk – Individuals whose diet includes more salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry and certain fruits and vegetables and fewer high-fat dairy products, red meats, organ meats and butter appear less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers discover new approach for identifying smokers at highest risk for developing lung cancer – Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) in collaboration with investigators at the University of Utah, have discovered a new approach for identifying smokers at the highest risk for developing lung cancer.
Does smoking compound other MS risk factors? – Smoking may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who also have specific established risk factors for MS. The research is found in the April_7, 2010, online issue of Neurology?, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations 4 times more likely to get cancer in opposite breast – Women with breast cancer before age 55 who carry an inherited mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 are four times more likely to develop cancer in the breast opposite, or contralateral, to their initial tumor as compared to breast cancer patients without these genetic defects.
State Public Health Director Announces Tuberculosis Cases Hit Record Low Despite Recent Outbreak — Illinois still ranks 5th in the nation for highest number of TB cases – In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced an all time low for the number of new tuberculosis (TB) cases in Illinois.
Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is good for the heart – The replacement of dietary saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces coronary heart disease events, bringing much needed scientific evidence to an issue debated by experts and clinical guidelines.
Emergency contraception: Advance provision does not reduce pregnancy rates – Providing emergency contraception to women in advance of need does not reduce pregnancy rates, despite increased use and faster use after unprotected se_xual inte_rcourse.
In the battle against childhood obesity, review effectiveness before implementing policies – Before developing specific anti-obesity strategies, lawmakers and advocates should review the evidence on program effectiveness and costs in order to avoid policies that either won’t work or will waste money.
Hemoglobin A1c outperforms fasting glucose for risk prediction – Measurements of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) more accurately identify persons at risk for clinical outcomes than the commonly used measurement of fasting glucose, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
IOM report declares high blood pressure a neglected disease — Calls for strategies to change Americans’ lifestyles and diets to curb hypertension – Public health officials and health care providers need to step up their efforts to reduce Americans’ increasing rates of high blood pressure and better treat those with the condition.
Survey finds significant racial differences in lung cancer beliefs – A new survey finds that while both whites and African Americans know and think little about lung cancer, African Americans are more likely to hold beliefs and perceptions about the disease that could interfere with prevention and treatment.
