Archive for May 2008

Results of a 30-year study revealed that children with elevated blood lead levels before birth and during early childhood have higher rates of arrest for both violent and total crimes than the rest of the study population after age 18. Previous studies estimated lead exposure indirectly, while the current study actually determined the children’s lead levels with blood tests until they were 6 years old. Furthermore, this study followed the children into adulthood, something previous studies failed to do. Although great strides in reducing lead exposure have been made, these findings suggest that it’s still a topic of health concern. Full story.

Summertime is here, which usually means sunnier days and more time spent under the sun (especially for children). Just like your skin, your eyes need protection from UV rays to prevent future disease. According to the American Optometric Association over-exposure to UV rays has been linked to eye problems, such as age-related cataracts, pterygium, photokeratitis and corneal degenerative changes. These conditions can lead to blurry vision, decreased visual acuity, and even blindness. To keep your eyes healthy and safe inexpensive methods such as wearing a brimmed hat and using eyewear that properly absorbs UV radiation is recommended. Full Story.

The AOA offers the following advice about sunglasses:

* Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV radiation, even on cloudy days and during the winter.

* Purchase quality sunglasses that offer good UV protection. They should block out 99 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of visible light.

* Make sure sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions or imperfections.

* Buy gray-colored lenses. They reduce light-intensity without altering the color of objects, providing the most natural color vision.

* Make sure children and teens wear sunglasses. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

After years of pressure from consumer advocacy groups McDonald’s has finally switched to trans-fat-free oil. According to company CEO Jim Skinner, “For a few months now, customers in our U.S. restaurants have been enjoying our fried food items, including french fries, hash browns, chicken and filet of fish, as well as our biscuits, with zero grams of trans fat per labeled serving.” McDonald’s has been slow in switching to trans-fat-free oils, compared to their competitors, because they cited concerns over the potential change in the taste of their trademark french fries. Full story.

The year 2003 marked a sweeping change in American medicine training. Resident work hour reforms limited the number of weekly working hours, consecutive working hours and working days without a break. However, there was concern as to whether shorter shifts would mean decreased continuity of care for the most critically ill patients, leading to increased mortality. However, a recent study has proven otherwise – patient mortality has actually decreased. “This suggests that medical training may not require such brutal hours and sleep deprivation, and that the means to compensate for fewer work hours of residents has not compromised patient care,” says Dr. Meeta Prasad at the Univeristy of Pennsylvania. Full story.

According to the Chinese National Task Force on Childhood Obesity, almost one in five Chinese children under the age of seven are overweight – only the US has higher rates. Researchers attribute this rise to adoption of high fat and sugar foods, less than adequate emphasis on sports and exercise, and increasing economic prosperity. Chinese authorities have acknowledged the issue as a public health challenge, but also state that resolving the problem of malnutrition in China is a larger concern. Full story.

The results of a new study published in the most recent Journal of the American Medical Association may have bearings on future blood donation guidelines. By looking at data from American Red Cross blood centers researchers noticed that donors aged 16-17 years were 14 times more likely to have complications, such as loss of consciousness and bruising, after donating blood. Furthermore, 16 year old donors with even minor complications were 60% less likely to return to donate within 12 months. As the number of blood donors continue on a downward trend, limiting blood donations to older individuals may be a way of ensuring higher return donor numbers in the long run. Full story.

The ever increasing demand for antibacterial chemicals to be incorporated into household products is now a cause for environmental concern. Triclosan and triclocarban are two of the most common chemical additives found in personal care products, especially soaps. Researchers have discovered that these two chemicals can persist in the environment and at levels that may be unhealthy for aquatic life. Ironically, studies have shown that the use of these compounds have no measurable benefit when compared to regular soap because the contact time between soap and bacteria is often too short. Full story.

A 9 year-old Greek girl suffering from stomach pains was recently brought to Larissa General Hopsital where doctors discovered the source of her ailment – the embryonic remnants of her twin. Andreas Markou, head of the hospital’s pediatrics department, stated the embryo was a formed fetus with a head, hair and eyes, but no brain or umbilical cord. Cases of one twin absorbing the other while in the womb occurs in 1 out of 500,000 live births. The mass was later removed and the girl made a full recovery. Full story.

The striking findings from a Canadian study was released in advanced of this month’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The study found that women with vitamin D deficiency were 94% more likely to see their cancer spread – and 73% more likely to die – than women with adequate levels of the vitamin. Vitamin D can be found in fish, oysters, dairy products, and is mostly produced in the body when the skin is exposed to UV rays. Full story.

Americans buy more drugs per person than any other country, and for the first time more than half of all insured Americans take prescription drugs regularly for chronic health problems. This statistic may be indicative of a few major factors: worsening public health, more aggressive treatment by doctors, and the ever-present advertising dollars of pharmaceutical companies. The most widely used medicines are those used to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol. ”Unless we do things to change the way we’re managing health in this country … things will get worse instead of getting better,’’says Dr. Daniel Jones, president of the American Heart Association. Full story.