Public health Archives

Obesity in US population, more are overweight

Obesity will snuff out health benefits gained by smoking declines — University of Michigan and Harvard researchers find that the US population won’t live longer because even though they’ve quit smoking, more are overweight – If obesity trends continue, the negative effect on the health of the U.S. population will overtake the benefits gained from declining smoking rates, according to a study by U-M and Harvard researchers published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Sugary cola drinks increase gestational diabetes risk

Sugary cola drinks linked for first time to higher risk of gestational diabetes – Researchers have found that drinking more than 5 servings of sugar sweetened cola a week prior to pregnancy appears to significantly elevate the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.

Successful weight control strategies for adolescent obesity

Investigators identify successful weight control strategies for adolescents — New study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association – Adolescent obesity is a major public health problem that impacts one out of every three children, resulting in 4-5 million overweight youth in the United States.

High salt intake linked to stroke and heart disease

High salt intake linked to strokes and cardiovascular disease – Eating high amounts of salt is linked to a significantly higher risk of strokes and cardiovascular disease, states a paper published today in the British Medical Journal.

Human swine influenza virus mutation found

Monitoring of human swine influenza virus in connection with a recent Norway report – The Hong Kong’s Public Health Laboratory Service Branch (PHLSB) had detected one human swine influenza (HSI) virus which had the same mutation as the one detected in Norway recently.

Metals and diesel emissions lead to respiratory symptoms in children

Exposures to metals and diesel emissions in air linked to respiratory symptoms in children – Exposure shortly after birth to ambient metals from residential heating oil combustion and particles from diesel emissions are associated with respiratory symptoms in young inner city children.

Breast cancer drugs may prevent cervical cancer also

FDA-approved drugs fulvestrant and raloxifene eliminate, prevent cervical cancer in mice. – Researchers eliminated cervical cancer in mice with two FDA-approved drugs currently used to treat breast cancer and osteoporosis. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Teenage obesity increases multiple sclerosis risk in women

Teenage obesity linked to increased risk of MS – Teenage women who are obese may be more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) as adults compared to female teens who are not obese, revealed by researchers.

Many parents, high priority adults didn’t get H1N1 vaccine

Many parents, high-priority adults who tried to get H1N1 vaccine unable to get it — Most who tried and didn’t get it say they will try again. – In US, majority of adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves or their children have been unable to do so, revealed in a poll from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

H1N1 hospitalization can occur at all ages

Report on H1N1 cases in California shows hospitalization can occur at all ages, with many severe – In contrast with some common perceptions regarding 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infections, an examination of cases in California indicates that hospitalization and death can occur at all ages. About 30 percent of hospitalized cases have been severe enough to require treatment in an intensive care unit.

First annual World Pneumonia Day

The Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia and the World Pneumonia Day coalition was established in April 2009. It seeks to bring focus on pneumonia as a public health issue and to prevent the millions of avoidable deaths from pneumonia that occur each year. – Nearly 100 leading global health organizations from around the world joined forces to recognize the first-annual World Pneumonia Day on November 2 and urge governments to take steps to fight pneumonia, the world’s leading killer of young children.

Nicotine Patch, Lozenge – best for smoking cessation

Nicotine Patch Plus Lozenge Appears Best for Smoking Cessation – In a comparison of five different smoking cessation medications, a nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge appears most effective at helping smokers quit.