http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/public_health/ Read about scientific research on a wide-array of public health issues. en-us Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:05:01 EDT Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/public_health/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319202524.htm Recent studies have shown that behaviors such as happiness, obesity, smoking and altruism are "contagious" within adult social networks. In other words, your behavior not only influences your friends, but also their friends and so on. Researchers have taken this a step farther and found that the spread of one behavior in social networks influences the spread of another behavior -- adolescent drug use. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100319202524.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316152525.htm In the first quantitative study to look at the benefits of utilizing the medical home concept in a resident-education outpatient clinic at a specialized children's hospital, researchers found that participation in the program significantly reduced families' use of the emergency room. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316152525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101556.htm Although there have been achievements in the battle against cancer, including a decrease in the rate of death and new diagnoses, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the US, with a need for continued improvement in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment, according to a commentary. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101556.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101558.htm Newspaper and magazine reports about cancer appear more likely to discuss aggressive treatment and survival than death, treatment failure or adverse events, and almost none mention end-of-life palliative or hospice care, according to a report. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100318113257.htm Patients seen at private facilities reimbursed by Medicare were more than 550 percent more likely to have routine cataract surgery than those who received their care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a strong indication that frequency of cataract surgery may be responsive to financial incentives to either or both the medical facility and physicians who perform the procedure. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100318113257.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100318082014.htm Researchers evaluating France's national infection control program for health-care facilities found significant decreases in the rates of health-care-associated infections (HAIs) since 2004. The drop in HAIs, including MRSA and surgical site infections, could be attributed to important changes in the national infection control system. France's national, regional and local coordinating centers have been reorganized to help facilities throughout the country comply and conform with mandatory public reporting requirements and key program objectives. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100318082014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315144818.htm Mammograms, pap smears and early detection tests for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and other malignancies are critical for catching cancer before it becomes deadly. However, a new study shows that persons of different ethnic groups have different ideas and opinions about whether they are at risk for developing cancer -- perceptions that can influence whether they undergo screening. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315144818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315161724.htm African-American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged patients with brain tumors are significantly less likely to be referred to high-volume hospitals that specialize in neurosurgery than other patients of similar age, the same gender, and with similar comorbidities, according to new research. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315161724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100317212644.htm Insurance practices that encourage patients to receive care from physicians who keep medical costs low are based on unreliable estimates of doctor performance and may not achieve the intended savings, according to a new study. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100317212644.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101657.htm The World Trade Center collapse has caused potentially dangerous heart problems in responders on-site, according to new research. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101657.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316235813.htm A new study has identified a significant shortfall in patients with life-long but treatable conditions re-entering employment. The group found that under half of patients with chronic endocrine conditions returned to work. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316235813.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316191441.htm Providing emergency contraception to women in advance of need does not reduce pregnancy rates, despite increased use and faster use after unprotected sexual intercourse, according to a new review. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316191441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316142547.htm As the deaths and suffering caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections continue to rise around the world, the Infectious Diseases Society of America is urging a global commitment to develop 10 new antibiotics by 2020, known as the 10 x '20 initiative, to address this public health crisis and safeguard patients' health. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316142547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101602.htm Case management appears to be associated with more appropriate follow-up and shorter time to diagnostic resolution among low-income women who receive an abnormal result on a mammogram, according to a report. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101602.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101554.htm Palliative care services are available at most U.S. cancer centers, although the scope of services offered and the degree of integration between palliative care and oncology care varies widely among centers, according to a new study. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101402.htm Even though older patients with colon cancer are less likely to receive chemotherapy following surgery because of concerns of adverse events, new research indicates that when they do receive this treatment, it is less toxic and of shorter duration than therapy younger patients receive, and older patients experience fewer adverse events, according to a new study. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316101402.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309161828.htm Immunizing children and adolescents with inactivated influenza vaccine resulted in reduced rates of influenza in their community compared to a similar community in which children did not receive the vaccine, suggesting that vaccinating children may help prevent transmission of the virus and offer protection for unimmunized community residents, according to a new study of Hutterite communities. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309161828.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316112458.htm UK prisoners are significantly more likely to have drug-resistant TB than other people with the disease, suggests new research. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100316112458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315172211.htm An expert panel says that properly designed pay-for-performance (P4P) programs can strengthen the relationship between physicians and patients and increase the likelihood that physicians will deliver the best possible care. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315172211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315162205.htm Educational leaders believe teaching the subject of unhealthy substance use must be incorporated into internal medicine residency training and can be done within existing teaching venues. The findings represent a national model for addressing this issue for internal medicine residents. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315162205.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315125555.htm New research findings indicate that despite similar injury severity, uninsured patients were significantly more likely to die after hospital admission for gunshot injury than were insured patients. This difference could not be attributed to demographics or hospital resource use, and held true even after adjusting for the effects of race, age, gender and injury severity. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315125555.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315125545.htm An estimated three to four million people -- about one in every eight Canadians -- drink water from private supplies. Infrequent testing and maintenance puts consumers of these water supplies at greater risk of contamination than public systems, states a recent article. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315125545.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315125543.htm Many visits by dying cancer patients to the emergency department can be avoided with effective palliative care, states a recent article. In Ontario, about 40 percent of cancer patients visit the emergency department in the last 2 weeks of life. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315125543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315111307.htm A new study provides a better understanding of why sexually experienced girls resume sexual activity after periods of abstinence, information key to dealing with sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy in high school girls and beyond. The study is among first to examine changes over time in decision-making about sexual abstinence among sexually active teenage girls. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315111307.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100226205013.htm African-Americans age 65 and younger are more than twice as likely to have a stroke compared with Caucasians in any region, and people who have a stroke are more likely to die in the South than elsewhere, according to researchers. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100226205013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100312144534.htm More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to new data. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100312144534.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310083441.htm Two new studies focus on the dramatic rise of pediatric sports injuries in recent years. However, despite this alarming trend, awareness, education, warning signs and early treatment can make a significant difference and help keep these athletes in the game, according to the study experts. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310083441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310175136.htm An expert calls for change in the way researchers and pharmaceutical companies collect and report adverse symptom information in clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration, and how the FDA represents this information on drug labels. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310175136.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311175133.htm In an essay published in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a Johns Hopkins emergency physician outlines how he and other physicians who worked in Haiti after the earthquake had to make emotionally difficult ethical decisions daily in the face of a crushing wave of patients and inadequate medical resources. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311175133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311074119.htm Chronic kidney disease (CKD) afflicts a large number of younger minority adults receiving medical care in settings that serve the uninsured and under-insured (settings collectively known as the health care safety net). Poor, minority adults with moderate to severe CKD are also two to four times more likely to progress to kidney failure than non-Hispanic whites, according to a new study. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311074119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310083448.htm Over the years, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motocross motorcycles have gained popularity and marketed as toys to consumers. These high-velocity machines can weigh between 300 and 600 pounds, and run on average between 25 and 60 miles per hour, while some even reach maximum speeds of 75 miles per hour. In 2008, nearly 28 percent of all ATV-related injuries were to children younger than 16. There were an estimated 135,000 injuries for riders of all ages for ATV use. A majority of ATV injuries happen from tipping, overturning or multiple riders. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310083448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308151049.htm For all those dismayed by scenes of looting in disaster-struck zones, whether Haiti or Chile or elsewhere, take heart: good acts -- acts of kindness, generosity and cooperation -- spread just as easily as bad. And it takes only a handful of individuals to really make a difference. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308151049.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311074127.htm Breast cancer continues to rise in Iraq, and scientists have established the Iraqi National Cancer Research Program to better understand the underlying molecular and environmental causes in an effort to curb the incidence of cancer. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311074127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309151505.htm A new American Cancer Society study finds progress in reducing cancer death rates is evident whether measured against baseline rates in 1970 or in 1990. The study finds a downturn in cancer death rates since 1990 results mostly from reductions in tobacco use, increased screening allowing early detection of several cancers, and modest to large improvements in treatment for specific cancers. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309151505.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309102529.htm A full house isn't always a good thing, according to a new study that links high hospital occupancy to higher death rates for patients. High occupancy periods are a challenging time when more things can go wrong, authors say. Researchers evaluated records at 39 Michigan hospitals to study a set of factors that can affect hospital deaths. The large scale study can provide lessons for hospitals across the country. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309102529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309161834.htm In a commentary in JAMA, hospitalist Alec B. O'Connor calls for more stringent Federal guidelines governing the approval of potential new drugs. He says the FDA should require studies comparing the effectiveness and safety of a new drug to an established first-line drug when considering a drug for approval. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309161834.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309113648.htm The surge of funds for bioterrorism preparedness over the past decade does not appear to be improving local public health resources in general, according to new research. However, the funding increase to health departments does spur epidemiologic activity that is key in detecting infectious disease risks, such as a surge in communicable disease like influenza or tuberculosis, at the local level. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309113648.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309111641.htm A recent study found that the availability of supermarkets -- rather than the lack of them -- increased the risk of obesity for low-income women living in small cities. This suggests that policies to increase healthful eating behaviors might need to be tailored based on geographic location. The findings showed that limited availability of grocery stores did not contribute to an increased risk of obesity in metropolitan or rural areas. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309111641.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309075200.htm As the immigrant population grows, understanding its disability status and employment characteristics becomes increasingly important. People, both native and foreign-born, with disabilities make important contributions to our society, and many individuals continue to work despite a wide range of impairments. A new study focuses on disability and employment among working-age immigrants in the United States. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309075200.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309075156.htm Physicians would be better prepared for the accelerating rate of scientific discovery -- and more in step with the latest in patient-care -- if they added an important tool to their medical bags: a plan for how to keep pace with emerging health-care advances. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309075156.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308171139.htm African-American and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure appear less likely to receive hospice care than white patients with the same condition, according to a new study. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308171139.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308102209.htm Spinal Muscular Atrophy affects approximately 1 in 10,000 live births and is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality and the second most common autosomal recessive disorder, after cystic fibrosis. Although the American College of Medical Genetics recommends carrier testing for all couples, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a recommendation to the contrary. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308102209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302083500.htm New policies that eliminate sugary beverages and junk foods from schools may help slow childhood obesity, according to a new study. Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302083500.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100305224430.htm More Americans now drink sugar-sweetened sodas, sport drinks and fruit drinks daily, and this increase in consumption has led to more diabetes and heart disease over the past decade, researchers report. Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100305224430.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301165612.htm Among 12- to 24-month old children who view educational baby videos, there does not appear to be evidence that overall general language learning improves or that words featured in the programming are learned, according to a new study. Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301165612.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100304072713.htm When people say they "had sex," what transpired is anyone's guess. A new study found that no uniform consensus existed when a representative sample of 18- to 96-year-olds was asked what the term meant to them. More than idle gossip, the answers to questions about sex can inform -- or misinform -- research, medical advice and health education efforts. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100304072713.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302093336.htm As health departments across the United States seek a better way to determine which children should be tested for lead poisoning, a new method has proven to be more accurate and cost-effective than current strategies. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302093336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302083456.htm California's dirty air caused more than $193 million in hospital-based medical care from 2005 to 2007 as people sought help for problems such as asthma and pneumonia triggered by elevated pollution levels, according to a new study. While much work has been done previously to catalog the economic impact of air pollution across California, the study is the first to quantify the cost of hospital-based medical care caused by the dirty air. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302083456.htm