First lady to launch anti-obesity initiative.
USA Today (1/21, Hellmich) reports that at a meeting of the US Conference of Mayors, "first lady Michelle Obama said Wednesday that she would launch a major initiative next month to combat" obesity in children, calling the condition "an epidemic and one of the greatest threats to America's health and economy." Her "initiative will involve the federal government working with local officials and leaders in the business and non-profit sectors...to provide more nutritious food in schools, allow more opportunities for kids to be physically active, and give more communities access to affordable, healthful food."
The Washington Post (1/21, Givhan) reports that the initiative is intended to emphasize that "better eating habits, improved nutrition and a more physically fit America do not have to come with a high price tag and all are imperative to this country's economy, its future productivity and the well-being of the next generation of children." The AP (1/20, Superville), the Chicago Tribune (1/20, Skiba), and Politico (1/20, Henderson) also covered this story.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Low Salt Diet and Heart Disease
Lower salt consumption may cut cases of heart disease, stroke.
ABC World News (1/20, story 9, 0:30, Sawyer) reported that "new research says" cutting salt consumption to "no more than one rounded teaspoon...every day in everything" would "prevent up to 120,000 heart disease cases, 66,000 strokes and save 92,000 lives in this country every single year."
The New York Times (1/21, A18, Belluck) reports that for the study, appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers used "a computerized model that analyzed previous studies to estimate the benefits of salt reduction." They found that although "everyone would benefit from less salt...people at higher risk for heart problems -- blacks, people with hypertension, and people over 65 -- would benefit most."
The study showed that a national program to lower salt consumption could save between $10 billion and $24 billion in health costs each year, the Wall Street Journal (1/21, Wang) reports. The researchers noted that for each dollar spent on such a program, the federal government could save $6 to $12 in Medicare health expenditures, Reuters (1/21, Emery) reports.
Bloomberg News (1/20, Thomas) reported, "The researchers estimated that lowering daily salt intake by three grams would have health benefits at least as large as reducing smoking by 50 percent or using statin drugs to treat people with a low or intermediate risk for heart disease."
ABC World News (1/20, story 9, 0:30, Sawyer) reported that "new research says" cutting salt consumption to "no more than one rounded teaspoon...every day in everything" would "prevent up to 120,000 heart disease cases, 66,000 strokes and save 92,000 lives in this country every single year."
The New York Times (1/21, A18, Belluck) reports that for the study, appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers used "a computerized model that analyzed previous studies to estimate the benefits of salt reduction." They found that although "everyone would benefit from less salt...people at higher risk for heart problems -- blacks, people with hypertension, and people over 65 -- would benefit most."
The study showed that a national program to lower salt consumption could save between $10 billion and $24 billion in health costs each year, the Wall Street Journal (1/21, Wang) reports. The researchers noted that for each dollar spent on such a program, the federal government could save $6 to $12 in Medicare health expenditures, Reuters (1/21, Emery) reports.
Bloomberg News (1/20, Thomas) reported, "The researchers estimated that lowering daily salt intake by three grams would have health benefits at least as large as reducing smoking by 50 percent or using statin drugs to treat people with a low or intermediate risk for heart disease."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Narcotic Overdose Risks
Higher prescribed doses of opioids may increase overdose risk.
Bloomberg News (1/19, Tirrell) reports that a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that "more doctors are prescribing oxycodone, morphine, and other opioid painkillers for back pain, arthritis, and headache." According to an accompanying editorial, written by A. Thomas McLellan, PhD, of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, "opioids are the most commonly prescribed class of medication in the US, with use of some such as methadone, increasing as much as 800 percent in the last 10 years." Aiming to understand the ramifications of that trend, researchers at the Seattle-based Group Health Research Institute "looked at pharmacy files for adults with chronic pain who had been given at least three opioid prescriptions over three months."
Bloomberg News (1/19, Tirrell) reports that a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that "more doctors are prescribing oxycodone, morphine, and other opioid painkillers for back pain, arthritis, and headache." According to an accompanying editorial, written by A. Thomas McLellan, PhD, of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, "opioids are the most commonly prescribed class of medication in the US, with use of some such as methadone, increasing as much as 800 percent in the last 10 years." Aiming to understand the ramifications of that trend, researchers at the Seattle-based Group Health Research Institute "looked at pharmacy files for adults with chronic pain who had been given at least three opioid prescriptions over three months."
Testosterone and Anti Aging
Testosterone, HGH treatments gaining popularity for anti-aging uses.
The Los Angeles Times (1/18, Worth) reported that "increasing numbers of men...are turning to testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH)" in an effort to "look younger, be healthier, and feel more vital later in life." Testosterone prescriptions in the US "jumped to 3.3 million" in 2008, from 64,800 in 1999. However, "it is unclear whether the issues associated with aging in men -- decreased sex drive, less energy, cognitive impairment, and reduced muscle mass -- are due to a decrease in testosterone or to other changes that come with aging," researchers say. The National Institute on Aging says more research is needed on testosterone treatment for most issues, and the institute "cautions against using growth hormone therapy for anti-aging purposes."
The Los Angeles Times (1/18, Worth) reported that "increasing numbers of men...are turning to testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH)" in an effort to "look younger, be healthier, and feel more vital later in life." Testosterone prescriptions in the US "jumped to 3.3 million" in 2008, from 64,800 in 1999. However, "it is unclear whether the issues associated with aging in men -- decreased sex drive, less energy, cognitive impairment, and reduced muscle mass -- are due to a decrease in testosterone or to other changes that come with aging," researchers say. The National Institute on Aging says more research is needed on testosterone treatment for most issues, and the institute "cautions against using growth hormone therapy for anti-aging purposes."
Controversial Autism Treatment
Industrial chemical promoted as alternative autism treatment.
The Chicago Tribune (1/17, Tsouderos) reported that an industrial chemical which was developed to help separate heavy metals from polluted soil and mining drainage "is being sold as a dietary supplement by a luminary in the world of alternative autism treatments." The supplement OSR#1 "is described on its website as an antioxidant not meant to treat any disease," although "the site lists pharmacies and doctors who sell it to parents of children with autism, and the compound has been promoted to parents on popular autism websites." The Tribune noted that the Food and Drug Administration said the manufacturer "had not submitted sufficient information" regarding the safety of the supplement.
The Chicago Tribune (1/17, Tsouderos) reported that an industrial chemical which was developed to help separate heavy metals from polluted soil and mining drainage "is being sold as a dietary supplement by a luminary in the world of alternative autism treatments." The supplement OSR#1 "is described on its website as an antioxidant not meant to treat any disease," although "the site lists pharmacies and doctors who sell it to parents of children with autism, and the compound has been promoted to parents on popular autism websites." The Tribune noted that the Food and Drug Administration said the manufacturer "had not submitted sufficient information" regarding the safety of the supplement.
Multiple Sclerosis Research
Researchers exploring ways to boost myelin production in patients with MS.
In the Wall Street Journal (1/18) Lab Journal column, Thomas Gryta and Jon Kamp wrote that in patients with multiple sclerosis, myelin, a substance that protects nerve fibers, is damaged by attacks from the immune system. Now, researchers are investigating ways to help patients create new myelin before the damage has advanced beyond repair. Patients' bodies typically regenerate the substance at a slower rate than the damage, and some researchers caution against unexpected side effects of artificially increasing myelin production.
In the Wall Street Journal (1/18) Lab Journal column, Thomas Gryta and Jon Kamp wrote that in patients with multiple sclerosis, myelin, a substance that protects nerve fibers, is damaged by attacks from the immune system. Now, researchers are investigating ways to help patients create new myelin before the damage has advanced beyond repair. Patients' bodies typically regenerate the substance at a slower rate than the damage, and some researchers caution against unexpected side effects of artificially increasing myelin production.
Women with Thinning Hair
Women with thinning hair should see dermatologist, columnist advises.
In the New York Times (1/16, B6) Patient Money column, Lesley Alderman discussed the causes of hair loss in women. Women worried about thinning hair should "see a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss right away" who "will take your medical history, run blood tests, and may even do a scalp biopsy" to determine "whether the hair loss is genetic, inflammatory, infectious, or due to an unusual physical or emotional shock to the system," according to dermatologist Marc Avram, MD. Dermatologists can also suggest appropriate treatments for women with "androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary condition that causes the hair follicles to get progressively thinner over the years."
In the New York Times (1/16, B6) Patient Money column, Lesley Alderman discussed the causes of hair loss in women. Women worried about thinning hair should "see a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss right away" who "will take your medical history, run blood tests, and may even do a scalp biopsy" to determine "whether the hair loss is genetic, inflammatory, infectious, or due to an unusual physical or emotional shock to the system," according to dermatologist Marc Avram, MD. Dermatologists can also suggest appropriate treatments for women with "androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary condition that causes the hair follicles to get progressively thinner over the years."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
