Health Behavior News Service: Latest Research News

Teens Have Unsupervised Access to Prescription Drugs

05/23/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, Most teens have unsupervised access to their prescription drugs at home, including drugs with potential for abuse, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Breast Cancer Treatments Delayed for Black and Rural Women

05/21/2013, Health Services Research, Black women with breast cancer are more likely than Hispanic or white women to experience delays in the initiation of chemotherapy or radiation after surgery, finds a new study in Health Services Research.

Predominately Black Hospitals Provide Poor Trauma Care

05/16/2013, Health Services Research, Victims of trauma are at higher risk of either dying or suffering a major complication if they are treated at a hospital that serves a large population of black patients, finds a large new study in Health Services Research.

Teens Experience Both Sides of Dating Violence

05/14/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, Teens in a relationship that involves dating violence are likely to be both a victim and perpetrator, as opposed to being just one or the other, finds a recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Black Students Drink More Soda When Available at School

05/09/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, The availability of sugar-sweetened or diet soda in schools does not appear to be related to students' overall consumption, except for African-American students, who drink more soda when it's available at school, finds a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Calorie Counts on Menus Have Small but Promising Effects

05/09/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Menu labeling has made more people aware of how many calories are in restaurant meals and has some people reducing their intake, according to new research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Teens Overeat at Subway, Too

05/07/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, Adolescents are just as likely to consume too many calories at Subway as at McDonald's, a new study in Journal of Adolescent Health finds, despite the fact that they think Subway offers healthier food.

Chronic Pain Sufferers Likely to Have Anxiety

05/07/2013, General Hospital Psychiatry, Patients coping with chronic pain should also be evaluated for anxiety disorders, according to new research published in General Hospital Psychiatry.

Providing Workplace Wellness Centers Could Backfire

05/02/2013, American Journal of Health Promotion, People who signed up for a workplace wellness center but then used it infrequently experienced declines in their mental quality-of-life, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Smoking Prevention in Schools: Does it Work?

04/30/2013, The Cochrane Library, Smoking prevention in schools reduces the number of young people who will later become smokers, according to a new systematic review published in The Cochrane Library.

Targeting Prescribers Can Reduce Excessive Use of Antibiotics in Hospitals

04/30/2013, The Cochrane Library, Giving prescribers access to education and advice or imposing restrictions on use can curb overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals, according to a new Cochrane systematic review.

Teaching Patients about New Medications? A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words

04/30/2013, The Cochrane Library, Improving people's knowledge and skills about their medications may be best achieved with multimedia patient education materials, finds a new systematic review in The Cochrane Library.

Credit Card Debt Leads Some to Skip Medical Care

04/25/2013, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, People with outstanding credit card or medical debt were more likely to delay or avoid medical or dental care, finds a new study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Birthing Centers Provide Equal or Better Deliveries

04/18/2013, Health Services Research, Low-income women who chose to deliver their baby at a birthing center under the care of a certified nurse-midwife had the same or better birthing experience as women under traditional care with a hospital-based obstetrician, according to a new study in Health Services Research.

Smoke-Free Public Housing Would = Better Health and Savings

04/16/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Establishing smoke-free policies for public housing would help protect residents, visitors and employees from the harmful effects of smoking and result in significant cost savings, reports a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Alcohol and Mental Health Problems a Costly Combo for ICU Patients

04/16/2013, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, People admitted to a hospital ICU with alcohol withdrawal were more likely to be readmitted or die within a year if they had a co-existing mental health condition, finds a new study in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Churches Minister Better Health in African American Communities

04/09/2013, Health Promotion Practice, African Americans who believe their church is responsible for promoting health in their members and the community are also more willing to attend church-based health fairs, according to a new study in Health Promotion Practice.

Unwilling to Pay Extra for Wellness

04/09/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Although most overweight adults agree that health insurance benefits designed to promote weight loss are a good idea, they don't want to pay extra for them, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Depressed Teens Have Rocky Twenties

04/02/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, Depressed teenagers are more likely to have serious problems during their twenties, including ongoing mental illness and excessive drinking, finds a recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Prebiotics: Do Supplements In Baby Formula Help Prevent Allergies?

03/28/2013, The Cochrane Library, Prebiotic supplements in infant formula may help to prevent eczema, according to a systematic review published in The Cochrane Library.

Diabetes: Computer Based Interventions Provide Limited Support

03/28/2013, The Cochrane Library, Self-management interventions delivered by computer and mobile phone currently provide limited benefits for people with diabetes, according to a systematic review published in The Cochrane Library.

Reduce Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Elderly with Dementia

03/28/2013, The Cochrane Library, Most older adults with dementia can successfully be taken off antipsychotic medications, which have negative side effects and increase the risk of death, finds a new evidence review from The Cochrane Library.

School Grades Go Down When Health Risks Go Up

03/26/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, Academic performance is linked to risky health behaviors in children and teens, reports a new review in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Primary Care Physicians Missing Early Signs of Serious Mental Illness

03/21/2013, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Primary care providers could help people with warning signs of psychosis get critical early treatment and potentially reduce the current burden on emergency departments and inpatient units, finds a study in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

Elderly Women in Rural Areas Less Likely to Recover from Depression

03/19/2013, Depression Research and Treatment, Being female and living in a rural area are among several factors that predicted whether an elderly person with depression recovered over the course of a year, finds a recent study in Depression Research and Treatment.

Email and Texts to Doctors: Not Just for High-Income Patients

03/12/2013, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Low-income patients served by "safety-net" community health centers want to communicate with their doctors via email or text or are already doing so, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Mandating Fruits & Vegetables in School Meals Makes a Difference

03/12/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, State laws that require minimum levels of fruits and vegetables in school meals may give a small boost to the amount of these foods in adolescents' diets, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Housing Improvements Should Be Targeted at Those in Poorest Health

03/05/2013, The Cochrane Library, Improving housing can improve health, particularly when interventions are targeted at those in the poorest health, according to a systematic review published in The Cochrane Library.

Pharmacists Can Improve Patient Outcomes

02/28/2013, The Cochrane Library, In addition to dispensing, packaging or compounding medication, pharmacists can help improve patient outcomes in middle-income countries by offering targeted education, according to a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Friendships Are Good for Our Health

02/28/2013, American Journal of Health Promotion, While participating in social activities and organizations promotes health, having personal ties with friends is even better, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Screening Decisions Are Better Informed When Risk Information Is Personalized

02/28/2013, The Cochrane Library, Patients' ability to make genuinely informed choices about undergoing disease screening increases when the risk information that they receive is related to their own personal risk, rather than average risks, according to the results of a Cochrane systematic review.

Marijuana & Alcohol Use Common among 10th Grade Students

02/26/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, A recent survey found high rates of regular alcohol and illicit and prescription drug use in tenth graders, reports a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Obesity Lowers Quality of Life in Boys

02/19/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, Being overweight or obese significantly reduces health-related quality of life in boys, but not girls, when compared to normal weight peers, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Despite Challenges, Health Centers Have High Satisfaction Rates

02/14/2013, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Low-income Americans are more likely to be satisfied with the care they receive at federally qualified health centers (FQHC) than at mainstream health care providers, reveals a new study in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.

Diabetes + Depression = Increased Risk of Death

02/13/2013, General Hospital Psychiatry, People living with diabetes who also have untreated depression are at increased risk of death, according to a recent evidence review in General Hospital Psychiatry.

Accidental Poisonings Leading Cause of Deaths at Home

02/05/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, An increasing number of people die from unintentional home injury, in large part due to accidental drug overdose, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Current Evidence Does Not Support Selenium for Preventing Heart Disease in Well-Nourished Adults

01/31/2013, A systematic review published today in The Cochrane Library finds that in well-nourished adults current evidence does not support selenium for preventing heart disease.

Drugs to Treat Fibromyalgia Just as Likely to Harm as Help

01/31/2013, Among fibromyalgia patients taking either of two commonly prescribed drugs to reduce pain, 22 percent report substantial improvement while 21 percent had to quit the regimen due to unpleasant side effects, according to a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Half of At-Risk Older Adults Aren't Getting Routine HIV Screening

01/29/2013, Almost half of older adults visiting a public health clinic where HIV/AIDS was prevalent were not screened for the disease in the past 12 months, finds a study in The Gerontologist.

Commuting to Work by Car Linked to Weight Gain

01/22/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, According to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, urban residents who drive to work gain more weight than those who do not commute by car.

Children and Siblings of Deployed Military More Likely to Use Drugs

01/17/2013, American Journal of Preventive Medicine , Youth with a deployed military parent or sibling use drugs and alcohol at a higher rate than their peers, finds a new study in American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

White Young Adults More Likely to DUI

01/15/2013, Journal of Adolescent Health, White young adults were 50 percent more likely than their Black, Hispanic or Asian peers to self-report driving after drinking at age 21, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Blacks Missing Out on Critical Early Treatment for Strokes

01/10/2013, Ethnicity & Disease, Getting to the emergency room within the first few hours of recognizing stroke symptoms can help prevent permanent brain damage, but a recent study in Ethnicity & Disease finds that Blacks are only half as likely as Whites to get timely treatment.

Age and Gender Predict Participation in Employer Sponsored Health Coaching Programs

01/08/2013, American Journal of Health Promotion, A new study in American Journal of Health Promotion finds that whether or not workers enroll and participate in workplace health coaching programs depends more on the worker than on an employer's motivational tactics.

Just 10 Minutes of Physical Activity Multiple Times a Day Improves Health

01/03/2013, American Journal of Health Promotion, An active lifestyle that includes engaging in physical activity for less than 10 minutes multiple times a day can have the same health benefits as more structured exercise, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Adults with Disabilities More Likely to Seek Care in the Emergency Department

12/21/2012, Health Services Research, People with disabilities, while making up just 17 percent of the working-age adult population, account for almost 40 percent of all emergency department (ED) visits, finds a new study in Health Services Research.

Early Intervention for Premature Infants Increases IQ

12/20/2012, The Cochrane Library, Programs aimed at helping premature infants and their families once they leave the hospital have been found to increase IQ in the period up to school age and improve cognitive skills, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Health Care Providers Can Learn to Communicate Better with Patients

12/18/2012, The Cochrane Library, Medical students, doctors and nurses can be taught to use a more holistic, patient-centered approach during medical consultations, focusing on the person and not just their medical complaint, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Education Can Reduce Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Home Patients

12/13/2012, The Cochrane Library, A new review in The Cochrane Library finds that education and social support for staff and caregivers can reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home patients with dementia.

Teen Physical Activity and Screen Time Influenced by Friends

12/13/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, The company a teen keeps can influence how much time they spend either in front of a screen or participating in healthy physical activity, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Printed Reminders for Doctors Improve Health Care

12/12/2012, The Cochrane Library, Printed reminders about screening tests, vaccinations and other health topics can help doctors provide care that more closely reflects current medical guidelines and evidence-based medicine, finds a new review from The Cochrane Library.

Exercise Can Extend Your Life by as Much as Five Years

12/11/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Adults who include at least 150 minutes of physical activity in their routines each week live longer than those who don't, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Only Half of Young Women Complete Three-Part HPV Vaccine

12/11/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Of young women who start the three-part series of the highly effective human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, only half get all the necessary doses, according to new research in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Most People with Hepatitis C Go Untreated, Despite Effective Drugs

12/10/2012, General Hospital Psychiatry, Just 20 percent of people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) begin the recommended treatment regimen and less than 5 percent go on to successfully overcome the virus, according to a new review in General Hospital Psychiatry. Untreated substance abuse and depression are among the barriers to care.

Patients with ICU Delirium More Likely to Die

12/06/2012, General Hospital Psychiatry, Delirium, a condition developed by many patients in hospital intensive care units (ICU), is associated with higher mortality rates, more complications, longer stays in the ICU, and longer hospitalizations, finds a new meta-analysis in General Hospital Psychiatry.

Cancer: Exercise Reduces Tiredness

11/15/2012, The Cochrane Library, Aerobic exercise can help relieve the fatigue often associated with cancer and cancer treatment, according to Cochrane researchers.

Retail Clinics Impact Continuous Primary Care

11/15/2012, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Using retail walk-in health clinics, often located inside pharmacies or big-box stores, for simple acute care problems can interfere with establishing and maintaining a relationship with a primary care provider, find a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Respiratory Exercises Before Heart Surgery Can Prevent Pneumonia

11/14/2012, The Cochrane Library, Patients who practice respiratory physical therapy exercises before elective cardiac surgery may reduce serious pulmonary complications later, finds a new evidence review from The Cochrane Library.

Mobile Phone Services Help Smokers Quit

11/13/2012, The Cochrane Library, Support for quitting smoking via text and video messages can help smokers kick the habit, according to a new Cochrane systematic review.

Women Often Lose Their Health Insurance When Divorced

11/13/2012, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Each year, almost 115,000 women in the U.S. will lose their health insurance in the months following a divorce, finds a study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Caregivers Neglect Their Own Health, Increasing Heart Disease Risk

11/06/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, People acting as caregivers for family members with cardiovascular disease may inadvertently increase their own risk for heart disease by neglecting their own health, according to a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Decision Aids Sway More to Get Screened for Colon Cancer

11/06/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, People who are given tools to help them decide whether to have a colorectal cancer screening test are more are likely to request the procedure, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Less than 25 Percent of Americans Walk for More Than Ten Minutes

11/06/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Many people in the U.S. do not walk, bike or engage in other forms of active transportation, missing an important opportunity to improve their cardiovascular health, concludes a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

People Surprised by Costs of Out-of-Network Care

10/25/2012, Health Services Research, Forty percent of people who received health care outside of their insurance network did so out of necessity, finds a new study in Health Services Research. About half of those patients did not know how much they would have to pay for their out-of-network care.

Minorities More Likely to View Generic Drugs as Inferior

10/24/2012, Ethnicity & Disease, Negative perceptions about generic drugs are more widespread among ethnic minorities than among whites, finds a new study in Ethnicity & Disease.

Teens Increasingly Abuse Prescription Painkillers

10/18/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Young people ages 15 to 24 are abusing prescription painkillers more than any other age group or any other youth in history. Availability of these drugs from their parents' medicine cabinets may be to blame, according to new research in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Collaborative Care Teams Improve Mental Health Outcomes

10/17/2012, The Cochrane Library, Collaborative care, a model that involves multiple clinicians working with a patient, significantly improves depression and anxiety outcomes compared to standard primary care treatment for up to two years, finds a new review by The Cochrane Library.

Review Confirms Value of Combined Approach to Quitting Smoking

10/17/2012, The Cochrane Library, Smokers who try to quit would be more successful if they combined medication or nicotine-replacement therapy with behavioral counseling, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Shingles Vaccine Prevents Painful Disease in Older Adults

10/17/2012, The Cochrane Library, Older adults who get the shingles vaccine have a nearly 50 percent reduced risk of developing the often debilitating disease, finds a new evidence review from The Cochrane Library.

Condom Use Drops When Young Women Use Hormonal Contraceptives

10/09/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Young women who start using hormonal contraceptives for birth control often stop using condoms, but a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health finds that if they later discontinue using hormonal contraceptives, they tend not to resume using condoms, increasing their risk of both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Graphic Anti-Smoking Ads Increase Attempts to Quit

10/09/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Graphic and/or emotional television anti-smoking ads showing the health effects of smoking get more smokers to make an attempt try to quit than less intense ads, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Despite Access to Care, Male Veterans in Poorer Health than Civilian Men

10/09/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Even with access to health care, male military veterans are in poorer health than both men in the National Guard and Reserves and civilian men, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

States that Support Access to Health Information Can Decrease Colon Cancer Deaths

09/25/2012, The Milbank Quarterly, Despite medical advances in colon cancer screening and treatment, people with a lower socioeconomic status remain at a higher risk of dying from colon cancer. A new study in The Milbank Quarterly finds that states and communities that focus on increasing the adoption of innovative health care practices along with providing greater access to public health information can reduce these deaths.

Evidence Does Not Back-Up Spinal Manipulation for Acute Lower Back Pain

09/20/2012, The Cochrane Library, Manipulating or "adjusting" the spine is a popular way to treat occasional or acute lower back pain and is covered by many health insurance plans, but a recent review by The Cochrane Library finds no evidence to suggest it is more effective than other therapy options.

Topical NSAIDs Provide Relief from Arthritis Pain

09/18/2012, The Cochrane Library, For those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees or hands, applying topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -in the form of creams, gels and patches -can bring weeks of pain relief, finds a new review by The Cochrane Library.

Keeping Mom and Baby Together After Delivery Beneficial

09/13/2012, The Cochrane Library, "Rooming in," keeping mother and her newborn in the same room 24/7 to encourage breastfeeding, does support the practice, at least in the short term, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.

No Evidence that Black Cohosh Relieves Menopause Symptoms

09/13/2012, The Cochrane Library, Although many women coping with hot flashes and other distressing symptoms of menopause have turned to black cohosh supplements as a treatment alternative, a new review by the Cochrane Library finds no evidence that the herb is effective.

More Nurses for Hospital Patients: Impact on Quality Questionable

09/12/2012, Health Services Research, Passage of a bill in 1999 requiring minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in California hospitals increased the number of nurses but resulted in mixed quality of care, according to a new study in the journal Health Services Research.

Even With Personalized Assessments, Many Underestimate Disease Risks

09/11/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, People with a family history of certain diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, often underestimate their risk for developing them, even after completing a risk assessment and receiving personalized prevention messages, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Parents Prefer Some, Often Less-Effective, Birth Control Methods for Teens

09/06/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Parents of teen girls are more ready to accept their daughters being offered birth control pills and condoms during doctor visits than other, more effective and long-acting contraceptive methods, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Fruit and Vegetable Advertising Linked to More Consumption

09/04/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, The key to getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables may be advertising, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

When Prompted, Fathers Will Talk with Their Kids about Delaying Sexual Activity

08/31/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Although mothers are usually the ones who have "the birds and the bees" talks with their children, with targeted prompting and guidance, fathers will also step up to the plate, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Diagnostic Confidence Key for Prompt Treatment for Women with Heart Symptoms

08/29/2012, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Doctors who believe that women have "atypical" coronary heart disease symptoms are less certain when diagnosing heart disease in women. As a result, women are less likely than men to receive treatments for an urgent cardiac event, finds a new study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Rising Cost of Inpatient Care Linked to Medical Devices and Supplies

08/29/2012, Health Services Research, Inpatient hospital treatment accounts for the largest proportion of health care spending in the U.S., with the use of diagnostic imaging services such as MRIs, frequently implicated as the probable cause. A new analysis in Health Services Research finds that the biggest expense may not be imaging technology but from supplies including medical devices, such as stents and artificial joints.

Good Health Helps Grades When Students Hit Puberty

08/28/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Good health helps children with stressful transitions from elementary school to middle school, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

People with Few Assets Less Likely to Plan for End-of-Life Health Care

08/16/2012, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Socioeconomic status is a big predictor of how likely people are to have living wills, a power of attorney for health care decisions or to participate in informal discussions about treatment preferences with loved ones. People with few assets were half as likely as those of more means to plan for these end-of-life concerns, a new study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior finds.

Common Treatment for Mild Hypertension Challenged

08/15/2012, The Cochrane Library, Doctors often prescribe drugs for people with mild high blood pressure with the hope of preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, a new review from The Cochrane Library has found that this treatment does not reduce death rates, heart attacks or strokes.

Depression in Young Adults Linked to Higher Risk of Early Death

08/14/2012, Annals of Epidemiology, Depression in young adulthood can have long-lasting effects, potentially leading to a higher risk of death even decades later, suggests a new study in the Annals of Epidemiology.

Doctors Who Share Patients May Provide Lower Cost Care

07/31/2012, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Patients with diabetes or congestive heart failure who receive care from doctors with high levels of patient overlap have lower total health care costs and lower rates of hospitalization, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Even With Insurance, Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Persist

07/26/2012, Ethnicity & Disease, A new study in Ethnicity & Disease finds that racial disparities in breast cancer treatment persist even when Black and White patients have the same Medicaid health insurance and similar economic status.

Obese Teens Have Fewer Friends, Especially Whites

07/24/2012, Ethnicity & Disease, Obese adolescents tend to have fewer friends at school than their peers, finds a new study in Ethnicity & Disease. However, the impact of obesity on friendships varies by ethnic group, with White students faring worse than Black or Hispanic students.

Predominately Black-Serving Hospitals Provide Poorer Care

07/19/2012, Health Services Research, Hospitals that mostly serve Black patients have worse mortality outcomes for both Black and White patients with three common conditions: heart attack, congestive heart failure or pneumonia. The new study in Health Services Research suggests that there is an urgent need to improve care at predominately black-serving institutions.

Safety Net Health Centers Fill In Urban Gaps

07/19/2012, Health Services Research, Urban areas that are segregated by race, ethnicity or income have more Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which provide primary care services for disadvantaged populations, despite an adequate supply of private sector physicians, reveals new findings published in Health Services Research.

Regular Physical Activity May Help Ward Off Dementia Years Later

07/17/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Older adults who engage in vigorous physical activity three or more times a week are less likely to be diagnosed with dementia later compared to adults who don't, according to a new longitudinal study in American Journal of Health Promotion.

Coordinating Cancer Care Remains a Challenge

07/11/2012, The Cochrane Library, People with cancer often receive fragmented and uncoordinated care, as their treatments often require help from multiple clinicians. However, a new review by The Cochrane Library finds no evidence that three main strategies designed to improve coordination of cancer care are effective.

TV Watching Linked to Eating Unhealthy Food

07/10/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Adults and children who watch more television have less healthy diets, finds a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. For every age and gender studied, people who watched no more than an hour of TV a day reported healthier diets compared to those who watched four hours or more.

Physical Health Problems Bring Mental Health Problems, Demand for Services

07/07/2012, Health Services Research, People who experience a serious physical health event are three times as likely to subsequently see a health care provider for mental health services and medication, according to a new study in Health Services Research.

Being Overweight Years Before Pregnancy Linked to Bigger Babies

06/26/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Women who become overweight or obese during the transition from adolescence to adulthood are significantly more likely to give birth to babies with excessive birth weights, according to a new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Mental Health Care Disparities Persist for Black and Latino Children

06/21/2012, Health Services Research, Disparities in the use of mental health services, including outpatient care and psychotropic drug prescriptions, persist for black and Latino children, reports a new study in Health Services Research.

Supporting Front-Line Hospital Staff Leads to Safer and Happier Patients

06/21/2012, Health Services Research, Hospitals that use supportive management practices across diverse care providers and frontline staff are more likely to deliver quality patient care, according to a new study in Health Services Research.

People with Mood Disorders Are More Likely to Be Re-Hospitalized

06/19/2012, General Hospital Psychiatry, A new study published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry found that patients were more likely to be hospitalized and re-hospitalized soon after being discharged if they have mood disorders.

No Evidence to Support Removing Impacted Wisdom Teeth

06/13/2012, The Cochrane Library, Little evidence exists to support removing impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing pain and swelling, aren't negatively affecting other teeth, and that are disease-free, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Use of Patient Centered Medical Home Features Not Related to Patients' Experience of Care

06/06/2012, Health Services Research, Providing patient care using key features of a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), a model of health care delivery promoted by major physician groups, may not influence what patients think about the care they receive, reports a new study in Health Services Research.

Logging On to Lose Weight May Be a Tough Sell for Employers

06/05/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine examined whether a convenient web support program could help employees maintain weight loss after an intensive kick-off. It turns out that a challenge may be just getting them to log on.

Electronic Devices with Reminders Make Sticking to Diets Easier

06/05/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, There's some good news for those trying to lose weight with the help of new apps on their mobile devices. They may actually work, says a new research study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Blacks & Hypertension Link Persists Across Age and Economic Status

06/01/2012, Ethnicity & Disease, African-Americans are at higher risk for developing hypertension than Whites or Mexican Americans, even if they've managed to avoid high blood pressure earlier in life.

Women and Minorities Face Barriers to Clinical Trials

06/01/2012, Ethnicity & Disease, Physicians have great influence over whether minorities and women participate in cancer clinical trials, according to a new literature review.

Family Matters When It Comes to a Good Night's Sleep

05/31/2012, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Sound, restful sleep may be just a dream for millions of Americans with strained family relationships, according to a new study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Assisted Living Options Grow, Nursing Home Occupancy Declines

05/23/2012, Health Services Research, A new study finds an association between an increase in assisted living options, which provide older adults with an array of services such as help with everyday tasks in homelike settings, and a decline in nursing home occupancy. This shift in delivery of care has both positive and negative implications for seniors.

Doctors Need Training to Help Smokers Quit

05/17/2012, The Cochrane Library, Health care professionals do a better job helping people quit smoking when they are trained in smoking cessation techniques, a new Cochrane Library review finds.

People with Asthma Get the Green Light for Exercise

05/17/2012, The Cochrane Library, Not only is it safe for people with asthma to exercise, but doing so could reduce their risk of asthma symptoms or attacks, according to a new evidence review in The Cochrane Library.

Too Many Drugs for Many Older Patients

05/16/2012, The Cochrane Library, A new Cochrane Library evidence review reveals that little is known about the best ways to avoid inappropriate prescribing of medications for seniors or how to maximize health benefits while minimizing prescriptions.

Social Networks Influence Flu Shot Decision among College Students

05/14/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, College students' social networks influence their beliefs regarding the safety of influenza vaccines and decisions about vaccination, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Park Improvements Lead to Increased Vigorous Exercise, Not Just Greater Use

05/08/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Refurbishing neighborhood parks may lead to improvements in community health. Increased visitors and higher rates of exercise were observed for more than one year when one community park provided new and varied amenities.

Students More Likely to be Fit When Physical Education is Mandatory

05/01/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Fifth graders in California public school districts that comply with the state's mandatory physical education requirement are more likely to have better fitness levels than students in districts that don't comply, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Parents Important in Steering Kids Away from Sedentary Activities

04/30/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Parents can have a significant impact in steering young children away from too much time spent in sedentary pursuits.

Three Fears May Discourage Colorectal Cancer Screening

04/30/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, New research about why people forego colorectal cancer (CRC) screening suggests that three fears play a significant role; fear of embarrassment, fear of getting AIDS and fear of pain may make some seniors skip the potentially lifesaving tests.

'Health Care Deserts' More Common In Black Neighborhoods

04/25/2012, Health Services Research, New research into "health care deserts" finds that primary-care physicians are especially hard to find in predominantly Black and/or low-income Hispanic metropolitan neighborhoods.

Risk of Future Emotional Problems Can be Identified During Well-Child Visits

04/24/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, A new study suggests clinicians might be able to identify children at risk of later emotional or behavioral problems by paying attention to a few key signs during early well-child check-ups.

Training Teens to Handle Emotions Improves Mental Health

04/19/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Teens who received emotional intelligence training in school had improved scores on several measures of emotional well-being, including less anxiety, depression and social stress, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Cervical Stitch Has Risks, Decreases Pre-term Births for Few Women

04/18/2012, The Cochrane Library, A new evidence review from The Cochrane Library finds that cerclage, a procedure intended to provide support to the cervix during pregnancy, provides no clinically significant difference in the number of fetal deaths or newborn complications compared to women who don't receive the treatment.

Personalized Interventions Work Best for People with Multiple, Chronic Illnesses

04/18/2012, The Cochrane Library, People with multiple chronic medical conditions are helped by medical interventions that target personal risk factors and/or their ability to perform daily activities. Interventions aimed at general case management or enhancing teamwork among a patient's care providers are not as effective, finds a new review in The Cochrane Library.

Worm Therapy For Hay Fever? More Research is Needed

04/18/2012, The Cochrane Library, Purposely infecting patients with hookworms or whipworms to treat hay fever and other immune-related diseases has been experimented with since the 1970s. A new review by The Cochrane Library concludes that current evidence doesn't yet support the use of this therapy. However, worm therapy does appear to be safe, the review's lead author says.

Over-the-Counter Test for Vaginal Infection Just as Good as the Doctor's

04/17/2012, The Journal of Adolescent Health, For women with symptoms of the most common vaginal infection, a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health finds that an over-the-counter diagnostic test may be just as accurate as having a test performed by a clinician.

Teens Who Check the Scale Frequently May Have An Unhealthy Preoccupation With Weight

04/17/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Teens who weigh themselves several times per week may be at risk for unhealthy weight control practices and poor psychological well-being, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Women Veterans Report Poorer Health Despite Access to Health Services, Insurance

04/10/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, As more and more soldiers return from recent conflicts overseas, new research reveals that female veterans experience poorer health than other women.

People with Multiple Chronic Illnesses Have Trouble Coordinating Care

03/29/2012, Health Services Research, Younger patients and those with several chronic illnesses are more likely to report difficulties with care coordination than older patients with just one chronic illness, finds a new study in Health Services Research.

Hospitals Vary Widely in ICU Admissions

03/28/2012, Health Services Research, Hospitals vary widely in their admissions to intensive care units, which some experts believe are overused, costly and potentially dangerous. A new study in Health Services Research finds that the actions of hospitals - not the kinds of patients they attract - appear to be responsible for part of the difference in ICU use.

Doctors in U.S. Overuse Pap Smears

03/20/2012, The Milbank Quarterly, A new study finds U.S. physicians are performing Pap smears far more often than needed to prevent cervical cancer.

Non-Traditional Reproductive Health Resources Reach At-Risk Youth

03/20/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, A new research review finds that if reproductive health services were more easily accessible, youth would be more likely to use them.

Antipsychotic Drug Combinations Are Often Given to Patients Early In Treatment

03/15/2012, General Hospital Psychiatry, Patients with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses are commonly prescribed high dose combinations of antipsychotic drugs earlier than recommended by some guidelines, finds a new study in the March issue of General Hospital Psychiatry.

Caffeine Gives a Small Boost to Painkillers' Effectiveness

03/15/2012, The Cochrane Library, Caffeine improves the effectiveness of over-the-counter pain relieving drugs, but only by a small margin, according to a new evidence review in The Cochrane Library.

Most Teens with Juvenile Arthritis Use Complementary Medicine

03/13/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Seventy-two percent of adolescents with juvenile arthritis use at least one form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but only 45 percent have discussions about it with their health care providers says a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Simple, Common BMI Data Stored in e-Records can Identify Patients with Heart Disease Risk

03/13/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, New research released online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that body mass index (BMI) data, commonly available in electronic medical records, can accurately identify adults between 30 and 74 years-old at risk for cardiovascular (heart) disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Single Men Spend Weekends Sitting & Watching TV

03/13/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Single, middle-aged people who live alone spend more time sitting. A new study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine discovered that men tended to sit for longer periods watching TV on the weekends while women sat for longer periods doing activities such as reading or dining out.

Making Exercise Fun & Cool for At-Risk Teens

03/08/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Motivating teens to exercise is often a tough sell, but a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion finds that introducing culturally tailored activities, those that young people find fun and popular, can encourage some of the most at-risk teens to get active.

Employee Wellness Programs Provide Significant Savings Over Time

03/06/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Employees who participated in a health-improvement program had fewer medical costs than non-participants, according to a new report in the American Journal of Health Promotion. In addition, three year employer savings outpaced the program costs with a return on investment of almost $3 to $1.

Playing Team Sports Encourages Young Girls to Stay Physically Active

03/06/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Good news for soccer moms: Girls who join organized team sports at age 11 are more likely to stay physically active as they get older, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Sexually Abused Boys Engage in More Unsafe Sex

03/06/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Boys who are victims of sexual abuse are far more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior as teenagers, finds a new review in the current Journal of Adolescent Health.

Bilingual Immigrants Report Better Health Than Speakers of One Language

02/29/2012, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, A study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior suggests that immigrants who learn English while maintaining their native language could also maintain strong mental and physical health.

Girls Who Rely on a Boyfriend for Money Are Less Likely to Use Condoms

02/28/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Young women whose boyfriends are their primary source of spending money are more likely to report that their boyfriend never uses condoms than girls who have other sources of cash, according to a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Primary Care Doctors Fail to Recognize Anxiety Disorders

02/21/2012, General Hospital Psychiatry, Primary care providers fail to recognize anxiety disorders in two-thirds of patients with symptoms, reports a new study in General Hospital Psychiatry.

Even Small Increases in Copays Affect Use of Children's Healthcare

02/17/2012, Health Services Research, Increases in copayments of only a few dollars for ALL Kids, Alabama's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), led to declines in the use of several healthcare services for the children they affected, reveals a study in Health Services Research.

Quitting Smoking Results in Minimal Weight Gain

02/17/2012, Health Services Research, The declining rate of smoking is unlikely to be a major contributor to the recent increases in the incidence of obesity. While quitting smoking might cause some people to gain weight, the amount gained will probably be small, reports a new study in Health Services Research.

Few Depressed College Students Receive Adequate Care

02/16/2012, General Hospital Psychiatry, Less than one in four college students with symptoms of serious depression receives adequate treatment. Current health care services on campus might not be sufficient for delivering good quality mental health care, according to a new study in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry.

No Support Shown for the Use of Pycnogenol® for Chronic Disorders

02/15/2012, The Cochrane Library, The manufacturer of a dietary supplement made from French pine bark, Pycnogenol®, markets it widely for the prevention or treatment of many chronic disorders, ranging from asthma to erectile dysfunction, but a recent systematic review found no sound basis for the claims.

Popular Fetal Monitoring Method Leads To More C-Sections

02/15/2012, The Cochrane Library, A new research review suggests that the use of one popular method of fetal monitoring does not improve maternal and fetal outcomes and makes women more likely to have cesarean sections.

Early Bloomers with Poor Social Skills More Likely to Smoke

02/14/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Children who go through puberty earlier than their peers are more likely to have poor social skills and to smoke cigarettes during their high school years, a new study in Journal of Adolescent Health confirms.

Study Illuminates Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes and Cognitive Impairment

01/31/2012, Ethnicity and Disease, A new study finds that decreasing the disparities in rates of type 2 diabetes among Whites, Blacks and Hispanics could eliminate some racial and ethnic disparities in the development of cognitive impairment or dementia. Prior research has shown that type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for all forms of major cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in Ethnicity & Disease.

Most People Fudge Numbers on Weight and Height Surveys

01/27/2012, Ethnicity and Disease, When people in the U.S. are asked to provide their weight for research surveys, they underestimate their weight and overestimate their height, despite numerous public reports about increasing rates of obesity. Whites are more likely to do so than Blacks or Hispanics, finds a new study in Ethnicity and Disease.

Electronic Health Records Could Improve Care for Type 2 Diabetics

01/24/2012, Health Services Research, Use of electronic health records shows promise for improving care and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, but still has considerable room for improvement, according to a new study in the journal Health Services Research.

Peer Passengers Are Bad News for Teen Drivers

01/24/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, Two new studies in the February Journal of Adolescent Health reviewed key factors shown to influence teen driving behaviors: perception of driving risks, parental monitoring and the presence of peer passengers.

For Diabetics Not on Insulin, Self-Monitoring Blood Sugar Has No Benefit

01/19/2012, The Cochrane Library, For type 2 diabetics who are not on insulin, monitoring their blood sugar does little to control blood sugar levels over time and may not be worth the effort or expense, according to a new evidence review in The Cochrane Library.

Teens Have Fewer Behavioral Issues When Parents Stay Involved

01/19/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, When parents of middle school students participate in school-based, family interventions, it can reduce problem behavior, according to new research released online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Recommended Services Not Always Given During Patients' Annual Exams

01/17/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, New research finds that patients may not always receive all of the screening tests and counseling services that are due during their medical checkups, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Signs Prove Effective in Prompting People to Use Stairs Instead of Elevator

01/17/2012, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Signs that read, "Burn Calories, Not Electricity" posted in lobbies of New York City buildings, motivated more people to take the stairs?and continue to use them even months later, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Workplace Support for Front-Line Health Workers Creates Higher Job Satisfaction

01/12/2012, Health Services Research, Frontline health workers-including nursing assistants, paramedics and pharmacy technicians-who received a combination of benefits and support from their employers had greater job satisfaction and provided a higher perceived quality of care, finds a new study in Health Services Research.

Girls Report More Mental Distress and Are Prescribed More Psychiatric Drugs than Boys

01/10/2012, Journal of Adolescent Health, More than 15 percent of Norwegian teenagers ages 15 to 16 reported "mental distress," or symptoms of depression and anxiety, with significantly more girls reporting distress than boys, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Girls with mental distress were also more likely than their male counterparts to be prescribed psychiatric drugs.

Family Support Motivates Mexican-Americans to Adopt Healthy Habits

01/05/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Encouragement from family members helps motivate Mexican-American adults to eat more fruits and vegetables and to engage in regular exercise, according to a new study in the current issue of American Journal of Health Promotion.

Family Support Motivates Mexican-Americans to Adopt Healthy Habits

Team Lotteries Motivate Employees to Participate in Wellness Programs

01/05/2012, American Journal of Health Promotion, Team lotteries might increase employee participation in health assessments for corporate wellness programs, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Team Lotteries Motivate Employees to Participate in Wellness Programs

Mammogram Rates Lower for Mexican Women in U.S.

12/20/2011, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Mexican women in the United States are less likely to get mammograms than white women, black women and other Latinas, according to a new study in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

Breast Cancer Patients More Satisfied When Specialists Share Care Management

12/15/2011, Health Services Research, Patients with breast cancer report greater satisfaction when their cancer doctor co-manages care with other specialists, finds a new study in Health Services Research.

Feelings of Depression and Binge Eating Go Hand in Hand in Teen Girls

12/13/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Teenage girls who feel depressed are twice as likely to start binge eating as other girls are, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The reverse is also true: Girls who engage in regular binge eating face double the normal risk of depressive symptoms.

HPV Vaccine Does Not Appear to Encourage Risky Sexual Behavior

12/13/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Young women who receive recommended vaccinations to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated cancers do not engage in more sexually risky behavior, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Racial Disparities in Colon Cancer Screening Persist Despite Insurance, Access

12/12/2011, Health Services Research, Public health researchers have long attributed the disparity in colonoscopy rates between whites and minorities to a lack of health insurance or access to doctors. Now, a new study in the journal Health Services Research suggests the reasons for the differences are more complex.

Group Programs to Prevent Childhood Depression Prove Effective

12/07/2011, The Cochrane Library, Psychological interventions to prevent depression in children and adolescents can be useful, with protective effects that last for up to a year, finds a new systematic review in The Cochrane Library.

Youth with Behavior Problems Are More Likely to Have Thought of Suicide

12/06/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Children who show early signs of problem behavior are more likely to have thought of killing or harming themselves, suggests new research in the latest issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Socially Active Older Adults Have Slower Rates of Health Declines

12/01/2011, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Older adults who maintain high levels of social engagement or ramp up their social life as they age may be protected from declines in physical and cognitive health, according to a study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

Doctor-Patient Relationship Influences Patient Engagement

11/29/2011, Health Services Research, Patients who feel their physicians treat them with respect and fairness, communicate well and engage with them outside of the office setting are more active in their own health care, according to new study in Health Services Research.

No Difference in Side-Effects When Switching or Adding Antidepressants

11/17/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, Patients with depression who fail to see improvement after taking an antidepressant often have their initial medication switched or combined with a second drug. The perception of potential side effects has influenced clinician decisions about which strategy to take. New research now suggests one strategy may not be any more likely to be harmful than the other.

Pre-Existing Hypertension Linked to Depression in Pregnant Women

11/10/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, Women with a history of high blood pressure before getting pregnant have a higher risk of depression than women who develop pregnancy-related hypertension, according to a new study.

Cognitive Reframing Can Help Dementia Caregivers with Depression, Stress

11/09/2011, The Cochrane Library, A new evidence review from the Netherlands finds that a psychotherapy technique called cognitive reframing can help reduce caregivers' stress when they are caring for loved ones with dementia.

Sweetener Found In Gum May Prevent Ear Infections In Children

11/09/2011, The Cochrane Library, There is "fair evidence" to support the use of xylitol, a natural sweetener used in gums and mints, to prevent inner ear infections in healthy children, a new evidence review finds.

Daily Exercise, Minimized Computer Time for Optimal Sleep in Teens

11/08/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Daily exercise improves a teenager's chances of a good night's sleep, while excess computer time has the opposite effect, according to a new study.

Elderly Hospital Patients with Delirium More Likely to Die Within A Year

11/08/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, Hospital patients over 65 who are referred for a psychiatric consultation and found to have delirium are more likely than those without delirium to die within one year following diagnosis, according to a new study published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry.

Employee Programs Teaching Health Care "Consumer" Skills May Also Produce Health Benefits

10/31/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, A workplace program designed to teach employees to act more like consumers when they make health care decisions, for example, by finding and evaluating health information or choosing a benefit plan, also improved exercise, diet and other health habits, according to a new study in the latest issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Recent Veterans in College Engage in Riskier Health Behaviors

10/31/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, College students who have served in the U.S. conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely than their non-veteran peers to use tobacco, drink in excess and engage in other behaviors that endanger their health and safety, according to a study that appeared in the latest issue of American Journal of Health Promotion.

Doctors Often Overrate How Well They Speak a Second Language

10/27/2011, Health Services Research, New research shows that physicians who say they are fluent in a second language may be overestimating their actual skills.

Ethnic Differences in Appointment Keeping Affect Health of Diabetes Patients

10/27/2011, Health Services Research, Ethnic differences in appointment keeping may be an important factor in poor health outcomes among some minority patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

Lack of Health Insurance Linked to Fewer Asthma Diagnoses in Children

10/27/2011, Health Services Research, Providing health insurance to more children could lead to diagnosing additional cases of mild or intermittent asthma, a new study shows. Some who treat childhood asthma say this could increase the number of kids receiving medication to control their asthma symptoms and seeking care for asthma flares.

E-Learning Programs May Do Little to Change Eating Habits

10/26/2011, Health Technology Assessment, With more people turning to the Internet and smart phones to help them with everything from exercising to quitting smoking, it appears applications, or "apps" as they are popularly known, intended to change eating habits may not make much of a difference, according to a new review.

Depressive Symptoms May Make Asthma Control More Difficult

10/25/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, People with asthma are more likely to have symptoms of depression. Those with asthma and depressive symptoms are more likely to sleep less, be physically inactive and smoke than asthmatic people without symptoms of depression. The combination of mental distress and asthma may lead to a worsening of asthma symptoms and an overall decline in health.

Second-Hand Smoke in China Puts Children at Risk

10/11/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, The prevalence of smoking in China may contribute to children's second-hand smoke exposure and resulting respiratory symptoms.

Sidewalks, Crime Affect Women's Physical Activity Throughout U.S.

10/11/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Getting women to meet the U.S. federal government's recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity remains a huge challenge. A large new study shows that where women live affects just how likely they are to exercise.

Excluding Hypertension, Review Finds Calcium Supplements Have No Benefit During Pregnancy

10/05/2011, The Cochrane Library, Most physicians instruct pregnant women to increase their calcium intake, but a new evidence review of potential benefits of calcium supplementation for mom and baby found none, except for the treatment of pregnancy-related hypertension.

Review: Taking Blood Pressure Drugs at Night Slightly Improves Control

10/05/2011, The Cochrane Library, Patients who take certain popular types of blood pressure medication once a day are able to achieve somewhat better control of their hypertension if they take their daily dose at bedtime, according to a new systematic review.

Patients with Implanted Cardiac Devices Should Learn about End-of-Life Options

10/04/2011, American Journal of Nursing, An implanted device meant to correct heart rhythm may generate repeated painful shocks during a patient's final hours, at a time when the natural process of dying often affects the heart's rhythm.

Routine Follow-up Mammography Benefits Breast Cancer Survivors

09/28/2011, Health Technology Assessment, After breast cancer surgery, a follow-up regimen that includes regular mammograms offers a survival benefit over a follow-up regimen that does not include mammograms, according to a new systematic review.

Safety Net Hospital Closures Hit Poor, Uninsured Hardest

09/19/2011, Health Services Research, When safety net hospitals close or switch from not-for-profit to for-profit status, certain vulnerable groups suffer disproportionately, a new study finds.

No Proof That Smartphone Apps Help Drinkers Reduce Alcohol Use

09/15/2011, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, If you're looking for an app to help you cut back on alcohol consumption, few exist and what is available has not yet been demonstrated to work, according to a new study.

Review: Probiotics Have Slight Preventive Effect on Colds

09/15/2011, The Cochrane Library, Taking probiotics seems to provide both children and adults with a mild degree of protection against many upper respiratory tract infections including the common cold, according to a new systematic review.

Reminder Packaging Helps Patients Take Medications as Directed

09/13/2011, The Cochrane Library, People with chronic illnesses are more likely to take long-term medications according to doctors' instructions if the packaging includes a reminder system, according to a new review of evidence

Mold Removal in Homes, Offices Could Cut Respiratory Illness

09/08/2011, The Cochrane Library, A new Cochrane review finds that ridding homes and offices of mold and dampness can help reduce respiratory infections and troubling symptoms for asthma sufferers.

Even Outside "Stroke Belt," African-Americans Face Higher Mortality

09/01/2011, Ethnicity and Disease, African-Americans and country folk outside the so-called "stroke belt" are at higher risk for stroke death than other populations, a large new study finds.

For Some Surgeries, More Is Better When Choosing Hospitals

09/01/2011, Health Services Research, Hospitals with higher surgical volumes for certain procedures are less likely to cause unintentional serious injuries to hospitalized patients when compared to those hospitals that perform the procedures less often.

Natural Surroundings Might Lower Obesity

09/01/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, New research from North Carolina finds that people who live in counties with better weather and more natural features like hills and lakes are more active and thinner than their counterparts.

Smoking Bans Motivate Even Reluctant Women to Quit

09/01/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, A new study finds that women smokers who live and work where bans are enforced, even those had no previous plans to stop smoking, are more likely to attempt quitting.

Stressed-Out Workers Less Likely to Stick With Wellness Centers

08/31/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, Asking people who join a gym, fitness or wellness center just one short question about their stress level can identify those who are at risk of health problems and poor health habits, according to a new study.

Black, Hispanic, Poor Young Women Less Likely to Complete HPV Vaccinations

08/30/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Barriers that hinder young African-American, Hispanic and poor women from completing a series of three vaccinations to prevent human papillomavirus infection (HPV) also leave them at higher risk for cervical cancer and death.

Dieting Beats Exercise for Diabetes Prevention, Combination Is Best

08/30/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, A new study suggests that to prevent diabetes in postmenopausal women, dietary weight loss alone is effective while exercise alone is not effective, and both together are best of all.

Prejudice Linked to Depression, Anxiety in Gay and Bisexual Black Men

08/30/2011, Depression Research and Treatment, The harassment, discrimination and negative feelings about homosexuality that black gay and bisexual men often experience can contribute significantly to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, a small new study finds.

Americans Face Barriers to Health Care Beyond Cost

08/19/2011, Health Services Research, Just getting to the doctor, making appointments and taking time off from work or other responsibilities are major hindrances for some people to getting the medical care they need.

Doctors, Nurses Often Use Holistic Medicine for Themselves

08/19/2011, Health Services Research, U.S. health care workers, especially doctors and nurses, use complementary and alternative medicine far more than do workers in other fields, according to a new study.

Excess Weight in Young Adulthood Predicts Shorter Lifespan

08/16/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Those 25-year-olds who are overweight now but think they will be fine as long as they lose weight eventually might need to reconsider.

Patient Navigators Might Reduce Disparities in Cancer Care

08/16/2011, Cancer, Past research shows that minorities suffer higher rates of advanced cancer and deaths from all types of cancer compared to whites. The role of "patient navigator" is emerging as a tool to address these disparities.

Impulsive Alcoholics Likely to Die Sooner

08/15/2011, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Alcohol and impulsivity are a dangerous mix: People with drinking problems and poor impulse control are more likely to die in the next 15 years, a new study suggests.

Caffeine Can Ease a Spinal Tap Headache

08/09/2011, The Cochrane Library, People who suffer headaches after a spinal tap might have a relatively simple way to ease the painful throb: a caffeine tablet.

Premature Ejaculation Therapy Not Supported by Evidence

08/09/2011, The Cochrane Library, A new review finds little reliable research to support treating premature ejaculation by teaching men how to control their bodies with their minds.

High School Students Today Less Likely to Be Heavy Smokers

08/02/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Of the 19.5 percent of high school students who call themselves smokers, most don't smoke daily or frequently.

With Diabetes, Untreated Depression Can Lead to Serious Eye Disease

07/28/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, Patients with diabetes who also suffer from depression are more likely to develop a serious complication known as diabetic retinopathy, a disease that damages the eye's retina, a five-year study finds.

Parents' Military Deployments Take Emotional Toll on Teens

07/26/2011, American Journal of Public Health, When military deployments call for their parents to serve abroad, adolescents have a tough time adjusting, and a new study shows their moods often lead to risky behavior.

Sexually Victimized Girls With PTSD Not More Likely to Binge Drink Later

07/26/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common outcome of sexual assault among many teenage girls, but they do not necessarily cope by binge drinking, a new study finds.

After an Emergency, Comprehensive Care Is Best for Older Patients

07/21/2011, The Cochrane Library, Older people rushed to the emergency room are more likely to be living at home up to a year later if they receive a comprehensive and age-appropriate evaluation during their hospital stay.

Teen Well-Being Spills Over Into Young Adult Health

07/19/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, A new study finds that teens with a positive sense of well-being are more likely to report being healthy in young adulthood.

Drug Speeds Up Slow Labor but Doesn't Prevent C-Sections

07/14/2011, The Cochrane Library, A new review says that oxytocin, a medication often used to quicken slow-paced labor in its early stages, doesn't decrease a woman's risk of having a complicated birth involving forceps or a cesarean section.

Modified Fat Diet Key to Lowering Heart Disease Risk

07/12/2011, The Cochrane Library, A new evidence review finds that a modified fat diet - rather than a low fat diet - might be the real key to reducing one's risk of heart disease.

Strength Training Curbs Hip, Spinal Bone Loss in Women With Osteoporosis

07/12/2011, The Cochrane Library, An updated review of studies confirms that compared to staying sedentary, strength exercises boost bone density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Teen Weight Began to Rise in 1990s, New Study Finds

07/12/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, A new study that looks at weight change over decades finds that the obesity epidemic in teens and young adults has its roots in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when body weights began to rise. But not everyone was affected equally.

Large Study Reaffirms H1N1, Seasonal Flu Vaccine Safety

07/05/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines do not put patients at risk for neurologic conditions, a large new study shows.

Losing Weight, Keeping It Off Might Require Distinct Skill Sets

07/05/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Practices that help people lose weight and practices that help them keep it off do not overlap much.

Health Insurance Doesn't Always Protect People From Medical Debt

06/30/2011, American Journal of Public Health, A new study confirms that having health insurance coverage is no guarantee against accumulating medical debt for working-age adults.

Obese Mexican-Americans Lack Diet, Exercise Advice From Doctors

06/30/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, Only half of obese Mexican-American adults receive diet and exercise advice from their physicians, although obesity is on the rise for this group.

African-Americans With Thyroid Cancer Fare Worse Than Whites

06/21/2011, Ethnicity & Disease, African-Americans have fewer incidences of thyroid cancer but have a more advanced form of the disease once they receive a diagnosis - and are more likely to die from it, according to a new study.

Obese Girls More Than Twice as Likely to Be Addicted to Smoking

06/21/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Obese teenage girls are more than twice as likely as other girls to develop high-level nicotine addiction as young adults, according to a new study.

Treatment for Minority Stroke Patients Improves at Top-ranked Hospitals

06/21/2011, Ethnicity & Disease, A new study suggests there has been some improvement in reducing the gap in stroke hospitalization between white and minority patients.

Young Asian/Pacific Islander Women in Calif. Face Higher Breast Cancer Risk

06/21/2011, Ethnicity & Disease, Young Asian/Pacific Islander women born in California have higher risks of breast cancer than young white women, and some groups, including Filipinas, might have higher risks than African-Americans.

Early Interventions for Schizophrenia Look Promising, but Evidence Is Inconclusive

06/14/2011, The Cochrane Library, Many physicians and researchers believe that early intervention can increase the chances for recovery, reduce recurrences and even keep the warning signs of psychosis from progressing to the actual disease. A new systematic review evaluates the evidence.

Easing Distress in Caregivers of Dying Patients

06/14/2011, The Cochrane Library, Interventions can buffer caregivers of terminally ill patients from the significant stresses they face in providing care to a loved one, a new Cochrane review finds.

Review: Statins Helpful, But No Quick Fix After Cardiac Emergency

06/14/2011, The Cochrane Library, Over the long term, treatment with cholesterol-lowering statins reduces the rate of mortality and cardiovascular events such as heart attack. Still, it is unclear whether these drugs take effect rapidly when the risk of these dire events is highest.

Bisexual, Lesbian Women Less Likely to Get Pap Tests

06/07/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, A new study finds that young bisexual and lesbian women are less likely to get Pap tests than straight women, while young bisexual women face a higher risk of being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.

Most Primary Care Physicians Don't Address Patients' Weight

06/07/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Fewer than half of primary care physicians talk to their patients about diet, exercise and weight management consistently, while pediatricians are somewhat more likely to do so, according to two new studies.

Medicare Spending Linked to Longer Life, Better Health in Elderly

05/23/2011, Health Services Research, Findings of a new study suggest that cutting Medicare spending across the board could result in poorer health outcomes for the elderly.

Young Adults, Teens Prefer Rapid HIV Testing

05/17/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Teens and young adults prefer rapid HIV testing that can deliver results in less than an hour, but some still worry about whether their tests will be confidential.

Researchers Still Searching for Ways to Help Patients Take Their Meds

05/12/2011, The Cochrane Library, Clinicians have tried a variety of ways to encourage people to take prescribed medicines, but a new research review says it is still unclear whether many of these interventions have been effective.

Serious Distress Linked to Higher Health Care Spending

05/12/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, Sufferers of serious psychological distress spend an average of $1,735 more on health care each year compared to those without the condition.

Antiretroviral Drugs Dramatically Reduce Risk of Passing HIV to Healthy Partners

05/10/2011, The Cochrane Library, When one partner in a couple is infected with HIV and the other isn't, treatment with antiretroviral drugs can dramatically lower the chances of the infected partner passing along the disease to his or her mate, a new evidence review finds.

Some School-Based Programs Curb Alcohol Misuse, Review Finds

05/10/2011, The Cochrane Library, School prevention programs aimed at curbing alcohol misuse in children are somewhat helpful, enough so to deserve consideration for widespread use, according to a large, international systematic review.

Inner-City Health Centers Could Do More to Boost Breastfeeding

05/06/2011, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Health centers and birth hospitals serving largely minority populations could do more to promote and encourage recommended breastfeeding, according to a new study of Philadelphia safety-net health clinics.

New Study Shows Unmet Dental Needs in Los Angeles Children

05/06/2011, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, The 2007 death of a Maryland child from untreated tooth decay exposed the need for better dental care in families with limited resources. In a new study, researchers found dental care deficits in Los Angeles.

Doctor's Office Is Usually First Stop in Medication Mishaps

05/06/2011, Health Services Research, Medication mishaps are a widely recognized problem in health care and a new study finds that ambulatory care settings, not ERs, deal with them most.

Better Labeling Could Help Thwart Acetaminophen Overdose

05/03/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, When misused, acetaminophen - marketed as Tylenol - can lead to acute liver failure and worse, often due to accidental overdose by an uninformed consumer. A new small study looks at what's missing in consumer education and how to overcome those gaps.

Overdoses of Popular Painkiller Send Thousands to ER Each Year

05/03/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Overdose of the common household drug acetaminophen leads to more than 78,000 emergency department visits a year, and the majority of the overdoses are intentional, according to a new CDC study.

African-Americans More Active Users of Smoking "Quitlines"

04/29/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, African-Americans are consistently more likely than white smokers to use telephone help lines to quit smoking, finds a long-term California study.

Children With Bedroom TVs Might Be at Greater Obesity Risk

04/29/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, A study of Hispanic children found that those with TVs in their bedrooms were more likely to be overweight. "Bedroom TVs lead to more screen time, sedentary behavior, less parental support of physical activity and increased fast food intake," researchers found.

Positive Media Campaigns Help Minorities Put Down Cigarettes

04/29/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, Media campaigns that offer positive encouragement can have an impact on getting African-Americans to quit, a new study finds.

RN Staffing Affects Patient Success After Discharge

04/26/2011, Health Services Research, When nurse staffing levels are higher on hospital units, patients tend do to better after discharge, as long as overtime isn't involved.

When Doctors Own or Lease MRI, Back Scans and Surgery More Likely

04/26/2011, Health Services Research, When doctors can self-refer for MRI, patients are more apt to receive scans - and even surgery - for low back pain.

Community-Wide Programs to Encourage Exercise Might Fall Short

04/13/2011, The Cochrane Library, Programs that encourage communities to get more active are one strategy for stemming the global tide of obesity. Yet, a new review of studies says the evidence backing the effectiveness of these programs is poor.

For a Less Biased Study, Try Randomization

04/12/2011, The Cochrane Library, If you're interested in the finer points of medical research, this story's for you.

Safer-Sex Ed for Women Increases Condom Use, Might Reduce Partners

04/12/2011, The Cochrane Library, Teaching young women how to prevent sexually transmitted infections increases condom use and might reduce their number of sexual partners, but do programs reduce disease rates?

Exercising to Government Standards Could Lower Your Death Risk

04/05/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Following federal government recommendations on exercise might lead to a longer life for all adults, according to a new study nearly 250,000 Americans.

Rising Rates of Tubal Pregnancies Cause Concern

04/05/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Ectopic - or tubal - pregnancies can be dangerous for mothers, leading to rupture of the fallopian tube and possible hemorrhage, and they appear to be on the rise, according to a new study.

Health Reform Predicted to Increase Need for Primary Care Providers

03/24/2011, The Milbank Quarterly, Expansion of health care coverage mandated by health reform will push demand for primary care providers sharply upward, and thousands of new physicians are needed to accommodate the increase, a new study finds.

Culture and Stigma Affect Mental Health Care for Latinos

03/22/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, Latinos benefit from antidepressants like everybody else - only they do not use them nearly as often. The trick is getting past some cultural barriers.

Minority Women Might Have Higher Depression Risk During Pregnancy

03/22/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, A new study finds that African-American and Asian/Pacific Islander women have double the risk that others do of becoming depressed before giving birth.

Taking Diabetes Medication Helps Lower Medical Costs, Slightly

03/18/2011, Health Services Research, A new study shows that diabetes patients who do a better job of taking their medication have slightly lower health care costs.

Few Studies Delve Into Hospice Care in Nursing Homes

03/17/2011, Cochrane Library, A new evidence review finds scant high-quality research on the best ways for nursing homes hoping to ease the suffering of older patients through hospice care. Still, the studies suggest that strategies such as teams of specialists and partnerships between nursing homes and hospice care services are essential.

Seniors in Public Housing Suffer Worse Health Than Others in Community

03/16/2011, Ethnicity & Disease, In a study of more than 16,000 older adults, fatigue, cardiac conditions, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and psychiatric problems were more prevalent among those living in public housing.

Oral Vaccine Could Prevent Half of Cholera Cases, But Less Effective in Kids

03/15/2011, Cochrane Library, Oral cholera vaccines could prevent 52 to 60 percent of cases in the first two years after vaccination.

Pacifiers Don't Interfere With Established Breastfeeding, Review Finds

03/15/2011, Cochrane Library, A new review finds no association between pacifier use and early cessation of nursing.

Black Men at Both Ends of Economic Spectrum at Risk for Depression

03/08/2011, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Jobless African-American men might be at a greater risk of suffering from depression-as are African-American men making $80,000 and upward.

Teens Prefer Liquor to Beer, Hardly Touch Wine

03/08/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Nearly half of American teen drinkers would rather have a shot of liquor than a bottle of beer, a new study finds, and teens who prefer liquor are much more likely to indulge in high-risk behavior.

Want to Go for a Walk? Your Neighborhood Might Play a Part

02/28/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, Making a 30-minute walk part of your daily routine could come down to the positive features that exist in your neighborhood, says a new Australian study.

When Bosses Are Exercise Friendly, Workers Get Their Move On

02/28/2011, American Journal of Health Promotion, Employees at exercise-friendly workplaces get more total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than do others.

Death Rates Remain Higher for Poor Black Americans

02/24/2011, American Journal of Public Health, In 2000, a black, working-aged resident of a poor neighborhood significantly was more likely to die than a white American - a situation that essentially remained unchanged from 20 years earlier.

Pre-Teens Make Their Own Decisions on Diet, Exercise and Weight-loss

02/24/2011, Health Promotion Practice, Eleven-year olds definitely have their own opinions about diet, exercise and weight-loss; and it is mostly their opinions - not those of their parents - that affect their lifestyle changes.

Support Groups Have Built-in Benefits for People with Depression

02/17/2011, General Hospital Psychiatry, People who get together for support with depression may find their symptoms decrease, a new systematic review suggests.

Combined Interventions Ease Job Re-Entry for Cancer Survivors

02/15/2011, Cochrane Library, For cancer survivors who wish to return to work after treatment, a new evidence review suggests that therapies focusing on a wide range of health interventions might best enable them to do so.

For Back Pain, Spinal Manipulation Holds Its Own

02/15/2011, Cochrane Library, If you're suffering from chronic lower back pain, a new review finds that spinal manipulation ? the kind of hands-on regimen that a chiropractor might perform ? is as helpful as other common treatments like painkillers.

Inhaled Epinephrine Confirmed Quick, Effective for Croup

02/15/2011, Cochrane Library, For more than 30 years, pediatricians have treated children who have croup with inhaled epinephrine to relieve their symptoms quickly. Now, a new review confirms the value of this approach.

Radiation Helps Cure Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but Future Cancer Risk a Concern

02/15/2011, Cochrane Library, A systematic review comparing treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma found a clear advantage to combined chemotherapy and radiation. However, the review did not address long-term side effects associated with radiation.

Interest in E-cigarettes Is High, but Safety and Effectiveness Unknown

02/08/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, While a new study finds that consumer interest in electronic cigarettes runs high, a companion study underscores that e-cigarettes' ability to help smokers cut down or quit is unknown, as is their safety.

iPhone Quit-Smoking Apps Don't Make the Grade

02/08/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, A new study finds that iPhone software applications designed to help people quit smoking fall short of the mark.

Teen's Best Friend: Young Dog Owners More Physically Active

02/08/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, They're furry, fun loving and could be the key to getting your sedentary teen off the couch, finds a new study on dog ownership and adolescent physical activity.

Black and Hispanic Women With Breast Cancer Face Treatment Delays

02/01/2011, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, At a time when access to prompt treatment might affect survival, a large new study finds that African-American and Hispanic women newly diagnosed with breast cancer often face delays in care of more than a month.

Childhood Chronic Illness Affects Future Income, Education, Career

02/01/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, For some children, serious illness can lead to fewer years of education, more joblessness and lower pay as adults.

More Americans Turn to Lower-Cost Alternative Meds, Especially Whites

02/01/2011, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved,

Mechanical Versus Manual CPR-Too Close to Call

01/18/2011, Cochrane Library, Makers say that mechanical devices perform CPR more effectively than human efforts alone. However, a new review comparing mechanical to manual chest compressions has failed to demonstrate that one is superior to the other.

Memory Training Might Not Be Best for Reducing "Senior Moments"

01/18/2011, The Cochrane Library , A new evidence review suggests that memory drills and similar brain-boosting activities are not any better than simple conversations at improving memory in older adults.

After Games, 40 Percent of Sports Fans Have Booze on Board

01/18/2011, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Eight percent of fans who agreed to be tested after attending professional football and baseball games were too drunk to legally drive, a new study finds, and 40 percent had alcohol in their bodies.

Are You Medically Prepared for a Natural Disaster?

01/11/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, How well are the millions of Americans with a disability or chronic disease prepared for a natural disaster like a hurricane or tropical storm?

Most Seniors Don't Get Shingles Vaccination, CDC Finds

01/11/2011, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Less than 7 percent of U.S. seniors chose to receive the shingles vaccination as of 2008, finds a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Parents Want to Talk Sex With Teens, But Fear Advice Falls on Deaf Ears

01/06/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, Kids learn a great deal about sexuality from friends and the media, but parents and teens agree: Parents should be the most important providers of information about sex and sexuality.

Tongue Piercing: Infection More Likely With Metal Jewelry

01/04/2011, Journal of Adolescent Health, A stud or ring in their tongue might be an essential fashion accessory for many young adults, but piercing comes at the cost of medical risks, including infection.

Infants Not Exempt From Obesity Epidemic

12/31/2010, American Journal of Health Promotion, A revealing new study finds that obesity might begin in babies as young as nine months old.

Multiple Sclerosis More Linked to Depression in Minorities

12/21/2010, Ethnicity & Disease, For many with multiple sclerosis, the disease wreaks havoc with emotional well being, and according to a new study, minorities might especially be at risk for developing depressive symptoms.

Girls Who Start School Earlier Might Have Lower Obesity Risk

12/14/2010, Journal of Adolescent Health, Effective strategies to fight youth obesity have been elusive. A new study suggests a simple step that might help cut the problem down to size: start school sooner.

Popping a Pill Can Help Some Alcoholics Curb Drinking

12/14/2010, Cochrane Library, A little-used medication can help treat alcoholism, an evidence review confirms, when combined with counseling, 12-step programs or other interventions.

Treating Women's Depression Might Help Them Lose Weight

12/10/2010, General Hospital Psychiatry, For women coping with obesity and depression, new research finds that improving your mood might be the link to losing weight.

When Mental Health Meds Are Out of Reach, Hospitalization More Likely

12/10/2010, General Hospital Psychiatry, Too often, mental health patients have problems accessing or paying for their prescription drugs under Medicaid. The results - longer hospital stays and more emergency room visits - are hard on patients and costly for the entire health care system, a new study finds.

"White-Noise" Therapy Alone Not Enough to Curb Tinnitus

12/09/2010, Cochrane Library, Tinnitus - what many think of as "ringing in the ears" - is the perception of sound without any real acoustic stimulation. Sound masking therapy, a common component of tinnitus treatment, is of uncertain benefit when used on its own, a new evidence review finds.

Dialysis Center Choice Makes Difference in Death Risk

12/09/2010, Health Services Research, A large study found that patients in certain large chain facilities are significantly more likely to die than those treated elsewhere. Mortality was also higher in for-profit than non-profit dialysis centers.

Stem Cell Treatment Is Effective for Certain Cases of Acute Leukemia

12/09/2010, Health Technology Assessment, Some adults and children with acute leukemia could benefit from certain transplants of blood stem cells, but the benefits are not equal across all cases of leukemia, according to a new review of 15 studies.

Ginseng Might Boost Brain Power, but Evidence Is Weak

12/07/2010, Cochrane Library, Many people believe that the popular herb ginseng can improve thinking ability and prevent or even treat dementia. However, a comprehensive review of research failed to find convincing evidence of these benefits.

Limiting Salt Lowers Blood Pressure and Health Risks in Diabetes

12/07/2010, Cochrane Library, For patients living with diabetes, reducing the amount of salt in their daily diet is key to warding off serious threats to their health, a new review of studies finds.

Depressed Smokers Less Likely to Stay Tobacco Free

12/07/2010, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Depressed smokers want to quit the nicotine habit just as much as non-depressed smokers, but a new study suggests that depression can put a kink in their success.

Heat Injury Rates on the Rise

12/07/2010, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Outdoor exercise and physical activity increase the risk for heat-related injuries, including dangerous heat stroke. Heat injuries are on the rise for all age groups, and football-playing boys are among the most vulnerable.

Kids Who Are Sick Have Fewer Friends, Study Finds

12/07/2010, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, A new study reveals that sick teens are more isolated than other kids, but they do not necessarily realize it and often think their friendships are stronger than they actually are.

Teens Get More Ear Infections When Someone Smokes at Home

12/07/2010, Journal of Adolescent Health, In households with secondhand smoke, teens are 1.67 times more prone to have recurrent ear infections.

Childhood Sexual, Physical Abuse Linked to Drinking Problems in Women

11/16/2010, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Women who suffered sexual or physical abuse as children are more likely to abuse alcohol than are others, according to a new study of 3,680 women.

School Vending Machine Choices Affect Overall Diet for Children

11/16/2010, Journal of Adolescent Health, Vending machines in public schools influence the diets of school children and can affect overall dietary intake and health, depending on what foods they contain.

Instruments Can Assist Birth, But With Risks to Mother, Child

11/09/2010, Cochrane Library, Forceps might be a better instrument than a vacuum cup for assisting a successful birth, but new mothers might experience more trauma and complications after a forceps delivery, according to a new review of studies.

Childhood, Teenage Abuse Raises Diabetes Risk in Women

11/09/2010, Journal of Preventive Medicine, A new study of nearly 70,000 women found a clear association between abuse in childhood and adolescence and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adult women.

Unaffordable Housing Might Lead to Poor Health

11/09/2010, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, People who cannot afford their housing are more likely to suffer from poor health, according to a new study, which also found that renters consider themselves less healthy than homeowners.

Nursing Homes Can Reap Financial Gain From Good Report Cards

10/29/2010, Health Services Research, Nursing homes that improve their quality of care - and thereby score high on public report cards - might see financial gains.

Programs Help More Blacks Get Needed Colorectal Cancer Screening

10/29/2010, American Journal of Health Promotion, African-Americans are less likely than whites to be screened for colorectal cancer, and the disparity almost certainly contributes to higher mortality. A new review of studies identifies effective strategies for improving the situation, but suggests that work remains to be done.

Specialized Interventions Help Latinos Quit Smoking

10/29/2010, American Journal of Health Promotion, Latinos who live the United States are more likely to quit smoking when they take part in an intervention program, finds a systematic review of studies conducted by Monica Webb Hooper, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Miami.

Behavioral Feedback Boosts Online Weight Program

10/28/2010,

Review Favors Newer Type of Radiation for Prostate Cancer

10/27/2010,

More People Get Health Screenings When Deductibles Are Waived

10/15/2010,

Childhood Asthma Reduces Smoking in Teenage Boys

10/07/2010,

Kids With Chronic Illness, Disability More Apt to Be Bullied

10/07/2010,

Mass. Smoking Ban Might Be Linked to Fewer Fatal Heart Attacks

10/07/2010,

Review: Ibuprofen Offers Relief for Many With Migraine Headaches

10/05/2010,

Telehealth Care Can Keep People With Severe Asthma Out of the Hospital

10/05/2010,

Emotional and Physical Wellness Might Be Linked to Longer Life

10/05/2010,

Public Awareness Campaign Lowers Male Suicides in German City

09/30/2010,

US Teen Births Drop, Still Highest in Developed World

09/29/2010,

In Cyber Bullying, Depression Hits Victims Hardest

09/21/2010,

South Asians in US at Higher Diabetes Risk Than Other Asian Immigrants

09/21/2010,

Healthy, Educated Employees More Likely to Pick High-Deductible Plan

09/16/2010,

Early Alcohol, Tobacco Use Might Delay Puberty in Girls

09/14/2010,

Alternative Birthing Rooms Safe for Mom, Baby

09/07/2010,

Helping Kids Cope With Chemo

09/07/2010,

More Seniors Get Flu Shot After Personalized Reminders, Provider Urging

09/07/2010,

Non-hormone Treatments Can Relieve Hot Flashes in Women With Breast Cancer

09/07/2010,

Desk Jobs Could Derail Health, Review Suggests

09/07/2010,

For Obese Teens, Weight Problems Persist Into Young Adulthood

09/07/2010,

Canada, US Immigrants Have Less Health Care Access Than Natives

09/02/2010,

Hooked on Headphones? Personal Listening Devices Can Harm Hearing

08/31/2010,

Fluoride in Water Prevents Adult Tooth Loss

08/24/2010,

More Walking, Cycling Linked to Healthier Weights Worldwide

08/24/2010,

Unequal Health Care Increases Colorectal Cancer Mortality in Blacks

08/19/2010,

Low-Cost Program Encourages Latina Moms to Seek Postpartum Care

08/19/2010,

Team Approach to Foot Care Lowers Risk of Amputation in Diabetes

08/19/2010,

Prescription Restrictions Cut Costs, But How Does Health Fare?

08/17/2010,

Allergy Shots Are Helpful for Some Asthmatics, Risky for Others

08/07/2010,

For Parents of Uninsured Kids, a Little Help Goes a Long Way

08/07/2010,

Hmong-American Women Far Less Likely to Get Pap Test

08/05/2010,

Americans Cut Risk of Heart Disease Death in Half, Prevention Is Key

08/03/2010,

Dorms With Dining Halls Might Add to Freshman Weight Gain

08/03/2010,

Early Puberty Tied to Obesity in Girls

07/26/2010,

Schizophrenia Patients Suffer More Hospital Injuries

07/23/2010,

Patient-centered Care Can Lower Risk of Death in Heart Attack

07/22/2010,

Colleges Not Meeting Guidelines to Limit Alcohol Access

07/20/2010,

Hormonal Contraceptives Have Mixed Success Among Overweight Women

07/08/2010,

Parkinson's Patients More Likely to Stick With Certain -Add-on' Drugs

07/08/2010,

OTC Constipation Treatment Beats Prescription Med in Review

07/06/2010,

Surgery Is Good Teachable Moment to Help Smokers Quit

07/06/2010,

Tai Chi and Qigong Show Significant Health Benefits

06/30/2010,

Older Americans Watch More TV, But Enjoy It Less

06/29/2010,

Sedentary Behavior Puts White Women at Greatest Risk for Obesity

06/29/2010,

Severe Obesity Becoming More Common in Sixth-Graders

06/29/2010,

Large Gap in Diabetes, Obesity Screening Among U.S. Health Clinics

06/22/2010,

Advance Directives Evolve to Ensure Better End-of-Life Planning

06/17/2010,

Exercise Preserves Freedom of Movement After Breast Cancer Surgery

06/15/2010,

Low Back Pain Is No Reason to Stay in Bed

06/15/2010,

Synthetic Sutures Might Be Less Painful for Stitches Following Birth

06/15/2010,

Another Exercise Benefit: You Won't Fall as Much

06/08/2010,

Quitting Smoking Before Pregnancy Could Save Babies' Lives

06/08/2010,

Latinas Delay Seeking Care, Even if Insured and Ill

06/03/2010,

Relationships Can Lower Substance Use in Young People

06/01/2010,

Consider Teen Activity Options When Choosing Where to Live

05/27/2010,

Prevention Program Linked to Fewer Air Force Suicides

05/25/2010,

Blacks, Hispanics Less Likely Eligible for Medicare Prescription Help

05/20/2010,

Out-of-Pocket Costs Put Arthritis Drugs Out of Reach for Some

05/20/2010,

Mental Stress Doesn't Distract Young Drivers at the Wheel

05/18/2010,

Smoking Hits New Low for White California Kids

05/18/2010,

Aggressive Approach to Childhood Cancer Worth Risks, Review Finds

05/11/2010,

Dental Treatment Might Lower Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetes

05/11/2010,

Drug-Releasing Stents No Better at Warding Off Death After Angioplasty

05/11/2010,

Iron Supplements Effectively Treat Kids' Breath-Holding Spells

05/11/2010,

Kiosk Offers Smokers a Bilingual Decision Aid for Quitting

05/10/2010,

Prescription Costs More Likely to Deter Hispanics in Study

05/10/2010,

Deaths Would Drop With More Preventive Services

05/04/2010,

Seeking Health Info? Print Media Readers Make Healthier Choices

05/04/2010,

Employment and Insurance: No Guarantee for Better Health

04/30/2010,

WIC Program Has Moderate Effect on Birth Outcomes

04/28/2010, A new study that looked at the effect of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to determine the effect on various birth outcomes found that the overall effects were only moderate.

Corner Shops Could Bring Healthier Food to Inner Cities

04/27/2010,

Parents Can Help Overweight Kids With Body Image

04/20/2010,

Chiropractic Treatment Offers Some Relief for Early Low Back Pain

04/13/2010,

Exercise-based Rehab for Heart Failure Can Improve Quality of Life

04/13/2010,

Self-Monitoring Lowers Risks for Patients on Anti-Clotting Drug

04/13/2010,

Tainted Produce More Likely for Low-Income Shoppers

04/06/2010,

Teens With Diabetes Might Need Help in Transition to Adulthood

04/06/2010,

Stigma Keeps Some Latinos From Depression Treatment

03/26/2010,

Trends: From Anxiety to Depression and Back Again

03/25/2010,

Study: HPV May Not Act Like Other STDs

03/23/2010,

Acetaminophen Alone Works Well for Postpartum Pain

03/16/2010,

Common Cold Symptoms Not Washed Away by Nose Irrigation

03/16/2010,

Health Care Delivery Fixes Somewhat Helpful in Heart Disease

03/16/2010,

Smokers Who Quit Gradually or Cold Turkey Have Similar Success

03/16/2010,

Teen Girls Look to Peers to Gauge Weight Goals

03/15/2010,

Most Teens Don't Stop to Think About Tattoo-Removal Risks

03/03/2010,

Cigarette Ads Fuel Teens' Desire to Start Smoking

03/02/2010,

Sleep-deprived College Students: Asleep at the Wheel

03/02/2010,

Drinking 100-Percent Juice Might Not Lead to Teen Overweight

02/26/2010,

School STD Programs Have Limited Influence on Teens' Sexual Behaviors

02/23/2010,

Fed When Hungry, Premature Babies Go Home Sooner

02/16/2010,

Is Your Back Pain Caused by Herniated Disc? Single Test Can't Tell

02/16/2010,

More Flexibility at Work Boosts Employee Health

02/16/2010,

Zinc Supplements to Prevent Middle Ear Infections: Evidence Is Weak

02/16/2010,

Breast Cancer Rates Decline Most for Affluent White Women

02/10/2010,

Spanish-Language Ads Get Message Across for Smoking Quit Lines

02/10/2010,

Latino and White Children Might Receive Different Pain Treatment

02/04/2010,

Blacks Less Likely to Survive Cancer Than Whites in Large N.J. Study

02/02/2010,

Most African-American Adults Skip Sun Protection, Study Suggests

02/02/2010,

Sexual Orientation Affects Risk of Bullying in Teens

01/28/2010,

Report: Too Few Minority Doctors After Decades of Discrimination

01/27/2010,

Alcohol Increases Women's Risk of Intimate Partner Violence

01/27/2010,

Best Fluoride Levels Determined for Children's Toothpastes - Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Motivating, Not Judging, Might Help Smokers Quit, Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Routine Antibiotic Use Reduces Mothers' Infection Risk From C-Section, Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Scoliosis in Teenagers: To Brace or Not to Brace Is Still a Question, Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Treating Swimmer's Ear Just Got Simpler, Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Used as Prescribed, Opioids Relieve Chronic Pain With Little Addiction Risk, Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Would Medical Images Spur You to Change Risky Health Behaviors? - Embargoed for January 19, 2010, 7:01 p.m. EDT

01/19/2010,

Insulin Pumps Might Have Slight Advantage Over Shots in Type 1 Diabetes

01/17/2010,

Medicare "Doughnut Hole" Causes Seniors to Skip Diabetes Meds

01/07/2010,

Childhood Vaccination Gaps Narrowing in U.S.

01/05/2010,

Most High School Students Are Sleep Deprived

01/05/2010,

Women With Partner, Baby Gain More Weight Than Single Women

01/05/2010,