http://www.hbns.org A resource for the news media and public to find the best and most recent evidence-based scientific research to help people make decisions about their health and health care. Health Behavior News Service Washington, DC 2009 http://www.cfah.org/ 15 01/19/2010, Cochrane Library, Everyone who has ever seen a toothpaste commercial knows that fluoride is the ingredient that helps fight tooth decay, but a new review has determined exactly how much fluoride is best in toothpastes for children. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22216 01/19/2010, Cochrane Library, Addressing tobacco use without judging the user appears to help people quit, especially if a primary care physician uses a form of supportive counseling called “motivational interviewing,” according to a new review of studies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22210 01/19/2010, Cochrane Library, Having a baby by Caesarean section is becoming increasingly common, despite the higher risks associated with the surgery compared to a vaginal birth. One important concern is the risk of infection, which is between five and 20 times greater for women who undergo scheduled or emergency Caesarean section. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22212 01/19/2010, Cochrane Library, The use of braces to correct excessive curvature of the spine, or scoliosis, in adolescents is still an area of controversy — and is likely to remain that way until there is better evidence, concludes a new review of published research. Although some evidence points toward a benefit from using braces, research has failed to prove definitively that they work. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22211 01/19/2010, Cochrane Library, When treating the pain and inflammation of swimmer's ear, antibiotic drops are the most effective — and safest – therapy, finds a new review of studies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22213 01/19/2010, Cochrane Library, Coping with chronic non-cancer pain is a way of life for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many older adults, in particular, hesitate to take opioids — a kind of narcotic — for fear of addiction. However, a new review finds that taking opioids long term is associated with clinically significant pain relief in some patients with a very small risk of addition. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22209 01/19/2009, Cochrane Library, Can showing patients ultrasounds and X-rays of their bodies to point out existing health damage make patients change their risky behavior? http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22215 01/17/2010, Cochrane Library, A new evidence review suggests that using a pump to deliver insulin continuously — instead of taking three or more daily injections — might result in better control of blood sugar for people with type 1 diabetes. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22214 01/07/2010, Health Services Research, Medicare recipients with diabetes who have a gap in their Part D prescription drug benefits—known as the “doughnut hole” — have higher out-of-pocket drug costs and are less likely to stick to their medications than those who have supplemental drug benefits, a new study confirms. Surprisingly, generic-only drug plans to cover the gap only modestly improve the situation. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22166 01/05/2010, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, About three-quarters of U.S. children received recommended vaccinations in 2008, up from about half in 2000, reports a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22122 01/05/2010, Journal of Adolescent Health, Only about 8 percent of high school students get enough sleep on an average school night, a large new study finds. The others are living with borderline-to-serious sleep deficits that could lead to daytime drowsiness, depression, headaches and poor performance at school. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22165 01/05/2010, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Young women with a weight problem often say the weight started creeping up when they had their first child and they found they had less time to exercise. However, when researchers added up all factors, they found that the fact that a woman is married and has a baby has more influence on weight gain than being physically active. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22121 12/31/2010, Journal of Health Promotion, A new study shines a light on depression in the workplace, suggesting that psychological stress at the office — or wherever people earn their paychecks — can make it more difficult for depressed workers to perform their jobs and be productive. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22120 12/16/2010, Milbank Quarterly, Cancer patients in both the United States and the United Kingdom face challenges in gaining access to expensive treatments, according to research published in the December issue of The Milbank Quarterly. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22114 12/15/2009, Health Promotion Practice, Although growing numbers of people check their symptoms with “Dr. Google” or seek other medical advice online, many still lack the access and skills to take advantage of the Web's wealth of health information. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22119 12/15/2009, Health Promotion Practice, Teaching children how to recognize when family members are experiencing a stroke and to call 911 might be a good way to save stroke victims from becoming disabled permanently, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22118 12/4/2009, Ethnicity&Disease, Although there is high awareness of the need for seasonal influenza vaccines, a new study of Hispanics in one California county shows low rates of actual vaccination, especially among men. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22117 12/1/2009, Health Education&Behavior, A small study of middle-aged women finds that “guilt-ridden dieters,” impulsive eaters and those too busy to focus on food are the most likely to show signs of obesity. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22115 12/1/2009, Health Education&Behavior, It seems like a no-brainer, and it is: Take the junk food out of school vending machines and cafeterias, and kids will eat less junk food, according to a new study that took place in Connecticut. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22116 12/1/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Receiving prompt treatment for common health problems like diabetes, pneumonia and high blood pressure can save patients trips to the hospital and thousands of dollars in medical care costs. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22112 12/1/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Being tall and overweight, or just being tall, might be a marker in children for an increased risk of being overweight or obese in later years. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22113 11/16/2009, General Hospital Psychiatry, Chronic pain patients with a history of depression are three times more likely to receive long-term prescriptions for opioid medications like Vicodin compared to pain patients who do not suffer from depression, according to new research. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22109 11/16/2009, General Hospital Psychiatry, A large new study confirms that people with severe mental disorders — such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders — are 25 percent to 40 percent more prone to die from heart disease than people without mental illness are. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22111 11/11/2009, Health Services Research, In a new survey of physicians who treat breast cancer patients, only one-third said they had good access to trained medical interpreters or telephone language-interpretation systems when they needed it. Poor access to interpreters can compromise physician-patient communication that is critically important in cancer care. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2135 11/10/2009, Psychosomatics, Depression occurs in as many as one-third of patients after a stroke, and women are at somewhat higher risk, according to a large new review of studies. Post-stroke depression is associated with greater disability, reduced quality of life and an increased risk of death. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22108 11/9/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, Plainer cigarette packages, perceived as boring or unattractive, would make smoking much less appealing to teens, according to a new Australian study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22107 11/5/2009, American Journal of Public Health, Chemical pesticides are among the tools farmers often use in managing insects dedicated to dining on our nation's harvest. Pesticides, unfortunately, are not without risk to those who labor in the fields and orchards, planting, tending and harvesting crops. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2137 11/4/2009, American Journal of Public Health, Being warm enough at home might lead to better health, according to a new review appearing online in the American Journal of Public Health. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2140 11/2/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, The Internet has become a popular socializing tool for adolescents and a new study shows those with chronic health conditions might rely on it more heavily than their peers do. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2139 10/30/2009, American Journal of Health Promotion, Grocery shoppers in a new study report that a one to 100-point food rating system would help them choose what goes into their carts. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2138 10/22/2009, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, What's the secret of success of people who lose lots of weight and keep it off for many years? A new study suggests predictable factors like exercise and control over eating play a role, but so do factors in the home like fewer TVs and more exercise equipment. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2136 10/15/2009, Health Services Research, For the more than four million uninsured adults in the United States nearing retirement age, a serious illness often spells financial disaster, according to a recent study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2115 10/15/2009, Cochrane Library, Treating hypertension in adults 60 years old and older can help them live longer, healthier lives, according to an updated review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2134 10/15/2009, Cochrane Library, Parents and physicians alike want to know the best options for pain relief for children, especially following painful surgical procedures. A new review from Sweden finds that diclofenac - a medication that works for some adults - also relieves acute pain in children. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2133 10/13/2009, Cochrane Library, Millions of people suffer peripheral pain and other troubling sensations accompanying diseases as varied as diabetes, AIDS, shingles and arthritis. Cancer patients also often suffer these so-called peripheral neuropathies because of their therapies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2131 10/13/2009, Cochrane Library, Older women who receive rehabilitation services after hip surgery from a variety of health care professionals as inpatients are slightly more likely to do better than those who receive usual hospital care are, a new review shows. The authors suggest that such multidisciplinary rehabilitation also might help if applied in patient or caregiver homes. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2132 10/08/2009, Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, Child abuse has had a known association with increased risk for virtually all types of psychological and psychiatric problems — but a new evidence review suggests that it raises the risk of physical illness just as much. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2130 10/6/2009, Cochrance Library, It can happen in an instant: a father grabs his daughter's arm before she runs out into traffic, and the sudden pull produces sharp pain and loss of movement in her arm. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2126 10/6/2009, Cochrance Library, A new review shows that diuretics - drugs often recommended as a first-line treatment for high blood pressure - are also effective when added as a second agent to other blood-pressure lowering drugs. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2129 10/6/2009, Cochrance Library, Brushing removable dentures with a paste product might be the best way to keep them clean, better than soaking in effervescent or enzyme cleaning solutions, suggests a new review of what little dental literature exists on the topic. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2124 10/6/2009, Cochrance Library, Although most people with bulimia and binge eating disorders wait many years before seeking help, a new review shows that psychological treatment can make a large difference - and that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective talk therapy for these disorders. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2117 10/6/2009, Cochrance Library, Hooked on your cell phone and cigarettes? Fortunately, your mobile device could help you kick the nicotine habit, according to a new review from New Zealand. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2120 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, An updated Cochrane review finds that stroke patients who participate in a post-stroke walking program walk faster, longer and more independently than non-exercisers. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2121 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, Grappling with the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is nothing new for postmenopausal women. More fuel to the fire: evidence that HRT could play a role in incontinence. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2127 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, Although most people with bulimia and binge eating disorders wait many years before seeking help, a new review shows that psychological treatment can make a large difference. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2117 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review shows that diuretics -- inexpensive drugs often recommended as a first-line treatment for high blood pressure -- are also effective when added as a second agent to other blood-pressure lowering drugs. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2129 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, Cooling a person’s body within six hours of cardiac arrest with successful CPR might improve survival and lessen brain damage, according to a new Cochrane review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2119 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, Should you take opioid drugs for hip and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis? Probably not, suggests a new review of the best research on the subject. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2118 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, Many skin cancer patients fare just as well when surgeons remove about one inch of normal-looking tissue around the lesion instead of a larger safety margin, according to a new systematic review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2125 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, Brushing removable dentures with a paste product might be the best way to keep them clean, better than soaking in effervescent or enzyme cleaning solutions, suggests a new review of what little dental literature exists on the topic. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2124 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, A new research review finds that a combination drug and the common antibiotic doxycycline allow travelers to fend off malaria with the fewest side effects in areas where the parasite is resistant to a widely accepted preventive treatment. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2122 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, When kidney stones become stuck in the urinary tract, the pain can be excruciating and debilitating. A relatively new ultrasound probe procedure has the highest success rate for breaking down kidney stones in the lower "funnel" area of the kidney. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2128 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, When teenagers receive health education and information about contraception, the number of them having unintended pregnancies decreases, finds a new review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2123 10/06/2009, Cochrane Library, It can happen in an instant: a father grabs his daughter's arm before she runs out into traffic, and the sudden pull produces sharp pain and loss of movement in her arm. Pulled elbow or "nursemaid’s elbow" is a common injury among children. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2126 09/18/2009, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, A new study finds that adults who legally were able to purchase alcohol before the age of 21 in their states are more likely than others are to be alcoholics or drug addicts. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2113 09/17/2009, American Journal of Public Health, Widowers take care: Older men who have recently lost their wives are more likely than still-married peers to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2114 09/15/2009, Health Education & Behavior, People who struggle with poor reading and math skills experience problems understanding instructions from health care providers and adhering to treatment, according to a new research review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2107 09/10/2009, General Hospital Psychiatry, On TV, Sex and the City makes regular Cosmo-drinking sessions seem like a glamorous, harmless pastime. In reality, though, excessive alcohol use can relate to overeating and depression in young women, according to the results of a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2112 09/09/09, The Milbank Quarterly, Having problems with your health plan? If you speak up about it — or move on to another plan — you are a very unusual consumer, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2109 09/08/2009, Ethnicity & Disease, More than 40 percent of Mexican-Americans in California have never had either of the most common screening tests for colorectal cancer, compared with 22 percent of non-Latino white Californians, which could be due to language barriers between patients and physicians, suggests a new study from San Diego State University. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2111 09/08/2009, Ethnicity & Disease, In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, their race can affect how severe the disease will become, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2110 09/01/2009, American Journal of Health Promotion, Many people think twice before adding a dash of salt to their food, but don't realize that the majority of dietary sodium comes from packaged foods and eating out, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2108 09/01/2009, Health Services Research, Mistrust among patients, providers and insurers could harm patients' health and raise overall health care costs, reports a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2103 09/01/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, More than one in 10 people who binge drinks gets behind the wheel of a car during or just after their binge. Of those who binge and drive afterward, more than half had consumed their liquor in a bar, restaurant or club. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2105 08/31/2009, American Journal of Health Promotion, Drinkers aren't just bending their elbows: according to a new study, the more alcohol people drink, the more likely they might be to exercise. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2106 08/20/2009, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, A new U.S. study has found that doctors, like the majority of people who responded, prefer whites to blacks subconsciously, which potentially can affect their ability to provide equal health care to their minority patients. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2104 08/17/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, Teens who exercise vigorously have a better quality of sleep than their couch-potato peers, according to a new Swiss study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2100 08/17/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, A new program that urges middle-school students to figure out their values regarding sex appears to reduce the likelihood that they will engage in early sexual activity, a study finds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2101 08/13/2099, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Milestones such as marriage and motherhood - or retirement and widowhood - can affect the amount of exercise women get, according to a large new study from Australia. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2102 08/10/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, Stress about school and life keeps 68 percent of students awake at night - 20 percent of them at least once a week. Stress affects the quality of their sleep far more than alcohol, caffeine or late-night electronics use, a new study shows. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2098 08/10/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, What if a teenager with acne who is taking Accutane - a drug linked to birth defects - gives some to her friend, who is pregnant but does not yet realize it? Unfortunately, this is a realistic scenario. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2099 08/04/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, More than two-thirds of all emergency department visits for childhood poisoning involve prescription and over-the-counter medications, more than twice the rate of poisonings from consumer products, reports a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2096 08/04/2009, General Hospital Psychiatry, Feelings of depression could be one reason patients fail to follow their doctors' orders on exercising and eventually become less physically active, a new research review finds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2097 07/28/2009, Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, Taking time for leisure activities apart from the demands of work and other responsibilities helps people function better physically and mentally. In fact, the more time spent doing different types of enjoyable activities, the better a person's health tends to be, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2094 07/28/2009, Health Services Research, While most health care professionals tout the importance of regular prenatal care throughout pregnancy, many women still do not get the care they need. Could providing financial incentives to patients or health care providers help improve compliance and - ultimately - outcomes? http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2095 07/27/2009, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, A stable, long-term marriage can be good for your health, but divorce or widowhood leave a lasting scar on the health of middle-aged and older people, according to a new study. Remarriage seems to reduce but not erase the damage done by losing a marriage, and those who remain single after a marriage ends show consistently worse health than those who remarried. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2036 07/27/2009, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, It would make sense that teenage mothers have a lot of psychological stress in their lives, but a new study shows that the distress comes before the pregnancy, not because of it. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2093 07/27/2009, Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education and Action, African-American adolescents have some of the highest rates of HIV infection in the United States, and efforts to educate them about preventing the disease must include the help of their adolescent peers, new research suggests. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2092 07/21/2009, Cochrane Library, Say a deadly campus shooting occurs. It might seem sensible to offer everyone on campus psychological support to prevent psychological repercussions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2089 07/21/2009, Cochrane Library, There is no evidence that giving infants a combination vaccine for diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), pertussis (P), hepatitis B (HBV), and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) protects them as effectively as separate vaccines, according to the results of a new Cochrane review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2090 07/21/2009, Cochrane Library, An updated Cochrane review finds that progressive resistance muscle training improves strength in older adults and enhances their ability to do daily tasks such as walking, climbing steps or getting out of a chair. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2091 07/15/2009, Health Education & Behavior, Prohibiting tobacco use at home could reduce adolescent smoking rates, but the practice might be less common in black families than in white ones, a new study found. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1904 07/14/2009, Cochrane Library, The start of anesthesia can be distressing for children. Although antianxiety drugs can help keep kids calm, side effects exist. Non-drug methods offer alternatives, but a new review of studies finds that no single method shows a clear advantage in keeping the child calm and cooperative. The most commonly used tactic - having the parent present while the child receives anesthesia medications - does not appear to have any benefit. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2088 07/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Lifestyle choices are pieces of the cancer prevention puzzle, but exactly which steps to take remain unclear, even to scientists. Still, more and more individuals are incorporating small changes into their daily routine - such as drinking green tea - in hopes of keeping cancer risk at bay. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2086 07/14/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review of existing research says there is little evidence to support mandatory hearing-loss prevention programs at the workplace. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2087 07/9/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review of data confirms that erythropoietin - a drug to treat anemia in many cancer patients - might be harmful. The review found that patients with head and neck cancers who received erythropoietin in combination with radiation had poorer outcomes than those who received radiation treatment alone. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2083 07/9/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review of existing research confirms that a weight-loss drug raises blood pressure, posing a risk to obese patients who hope to reduce hypertension by shedding pounds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2085 07/9/2009, Cochrane Library, Popular over-the-counter creams, heat gels and other rub-on or spray-on remedies for sports injuries and arthritis aches are unproven and a waste of money, said the author of a new systematic review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2084 07/7/2009, Cochrane Library, Blame it on peer pressure. When college students think that other undergrads drink a lot of alcohol, they drink more themselves. However, a new systematic review suggests that when college students learn they are mistaken about the actual normal drinking habits of their peers, they sometimes imbibe less often. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2040 07/7/2009, Cochrane Library, With the recall of the cold remedy Zicam nasal spray for possibly causing some people to lose their sense of smell and the prior failures of vitamin C and echinacea to prove effective in trials, viruses seem to be winning the war on colds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2037 07/7/2009, Cochrane Library, The common cold is the most pervasive recurring illness on earth. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2038 07/7/2009, Cochrane Library, Reducing children's exposure to a variety of allergens, rather than targeting a single "trigger," might be a better way to avoid asthma, according to a new review of studies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2039 06/30/2009, American Journal of Public Health, New research suggests that casino workers face a higher risk of heart disease and lung cancer because they work in buildings filled with tobacco smoke. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2035 06/29/2009, Journal of Adolsecents, New research shines a light on the phenomenon of "cyber bullying," suggesting that nearly 1 in 10 children are bullied through electronic means such as text messages, and girls are more likely to be victims than boys are. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1902 06/18/2009, Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, Results from a small study of postmenopausal women suggest that obesity might relate to a reduced volume of gray matter in the brain. However, whether the results have relevance in a woman’s day-to-day life is unclear. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1905 06/16/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, The tobacco industry knows exactly what makes social smokers tick. Now, researchers want to use that once-secret information to help them quit. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1901 06/9/2009, Ethnicity & Disease, Income appears to play a crucial role in how often diabetes patients on insulin check their daily blood glucose levels, and low-income minorities check less often than others, a new research study finds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1902 06/2/2009, Health Services Research, Reducing the number of beds available in public psychiatric hospitals is associated with increased suicide rates - and community-based mental health care is often not funded at a level sufficient to help. A new study finds that for every bed lost for 100,000 people in the population, 45 additional suicides would occur per year. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1900 05/28/2009, Health Services Research, In a sign of the challenges facing seniors on Medicare, a new study finds that older Americans are more likely to make poor choices when faced with a wide array of drug-coverage plans. Making matters worse, many are confident they made the right decisions. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1899 06/26/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, By the time they reach ninth grade, most adolescents abandon the physical activities they enjoyed in seventh grade; and the more vigorous the activity, the more likely they are to drop it. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1897 05/26/2009, Medical Care, Although teen depression poses a widespread problem for which proven treatments exist, few depressed teens receive any care. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1895 05/26/2009, Cochrane Library, The key to reducing the leading cause of pediatric emergency room visits could be to educate young patients and their parents about how to manage asthma, according to an updated review of studies. Moreover, such programs could lead to fewer hospitalizations for children. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1898 05/21/2009, General Hospital Psychiatry, A new study of nearly 14,000 U.S. women reveals that those who are in physically abusive relationships are at higher risk for HIV infection. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1896 05/18/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, Being overweight - or simply believing they are overweight - might predispose some U.S. teens to suicide attempts, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1887 05/14/2009, Cochrane Library, There are many ways to deal with the pain of giving birth, but women and their obstetricians can always benefit from having another choice. A Cochrane review has concluded that women in labor should have the option of using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - a non-drug method of pain management. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1893 05/14/2009, Cochrane Library, A new Cochrane Library review confirms that years-long use of a drug called rituximab extends the lifespan of people with one of the milder forms of lymphoma. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1894 05/12/2009, Cochrane Library, Although many have touted strategies from travel avoidance to Tamiflu to halt the spread of H1N1 flu or swine flu, a large body of evidence from the Cochrane Library suggests that concentrating on children’s hygiene might be the best way to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1892 05/07/2009, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, A push for widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) has become a central part of the national health care debate, but a new study shows that the technology is not equally available to American patients. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1890 05/07/2009, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Even when a lack of health insurance is not an issue, many Chinese immigrant parents still face others barriers in getting necessary health care for their sick children, finds a new small study conducted in metropolitan Washington, D.C., where 42 percent of the area's immigrant families are from Asia. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1891 05/05/209, Cochrane Library, New antidepressants might be no more effective than the best existing drugs, according to two new systematic reviews that compared 12 commonly used medications. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1889 04/30/2009, American Journal of Health Promotion, Obese workers with type 2 diabetes report less productivity on the job than their normal-weight co-workers, according to a new study of 7,338 working adults. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1905 04/23/2009, Cochrane Library, Sometimes less is more: Lower doses of an Alzheimer's drug delivered via skin patches improve cognition with fewer serious side effects than higher doses, researchers have found in an updated review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1884 04/23/2009, Cochrane Library, A new Cochrane review finds that two commonly used topical treatments work best together to treat chronic psoriasis, but are not a cure. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1883 04/22/2009, Health Services Research, A new analysis suggests that universal health insurance might not save many adult lives - or any - if the United States actually puts it into place. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1879 04/21/2009, Psychosomatics, Most parents who have lost a premature baby still hold the baby in a central place in their lives two to six years after the baby's death, physicians report in a new small study. According to lead author Stefan Büchi, M.D., how they share this grief and suffering depends on the emotional exchange and communication between the partners. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1882 04/16/2009, Journal of Preventive Medicine, People who live in city neighborhoods close to stores, transit stops, sidewalks, bicycle and low-cost recreational facilities are twice as likely to get enough exercise as people who have no access to these amenities - and this holds true worldwide. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1880 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, People suffering from chronic asthma might have a new treatment option that allows them to manage their condition with a single prescribed inhaler that contains two medicines, according to a new review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1876 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, For people with urinary incontinence who have run out of options, an electrical device might help, according to a new Cochrane Library review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1877 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Exercise programs that lend strength, flexibility and balance might be one of the best ways to prevent falls among people age 65 and older, according to a Cochrane review of more than 100 studies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1871 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, The right mix of Portuguese instrumentals calms Philadelphia researcher Joke Bradt. That's what she'd want to hear during a serious medical procedure - that or classical music. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1872 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, A new Cochrane review did not find serious side effects relating to the use of homeopathic medicine in patients having orthodox cancer care. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1869 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, An analysis of three recent studies finds that heterosexual African men reduced their risk of HIV infection by half after undergoing circumcision. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1878 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Family members grappling with the decision to allow a feeding tube for a relative with advanced dementia will find little comfort from a new review of evidence. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1868 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Women who walk, sit, kneel or otherwise avoid lying in bed during early labor can shorten the first stage of labor by about an hour, according to a new Cochrane evidence review. Women who labored out of bed during the early stages were also 17 percent less likely to seek pain relief through epidural analgesia, the review found. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1874 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, An increasing number of studies show that elevated serum cholesterol levels might be part of the cause of Alzheimer disease, but a new review of studies says that, even so, the most successful class of cholesterol-lowering medicines will not stave off the condition. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1875 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Surgeons once recommended weight-loss surgery only for severely obese patients who failed to drop pounds with conventional weight-loss methods, but a new review finds that bariatric surgery helps the moderately obese lose more weight, too. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1873 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Up to 80 percent of patients who have surgery complain of nausea and vomiting afterwards, but stimulating an acupoint in their wrists can help reduce these symptoms, finds a new evidence review. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1867 04/14/2009, Cochrane Library, Your insurance company would like you to stop smoking, lose weight and get off the couch - for your health and its financial well-being. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1870 03/28/2009, Health Services Research, People with diabetes who feel they have better control over life events are more likely to take good care of themselves and to believe they have the condition under control, but these factors do not translate to improved blood sugar levels, according to a new study of 1,034 adults. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1864 03/28/2009, Health Services Research, A new study finds that Florida urologists who own outpatient surgery clinics perform more kidney-stone surgeries than their colleagues do, raising questions about whether some of the physicians are more concerned about profits than they are about patients. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1863 03/24/2009, American Journal of Epidemiology , Socioeconomic status alone might not be as reliable a predictor of body mass index (BMI) in U.S. residents as previously thought, according to a new study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1865 03/24/2009, American Journal of Public Health, Does the neighborhood where you live play a role in whether you become a smoker? According to a new study, certain neighborhood traits might in fact have some influence. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1866 03/18/2009, Ethnicity and Disease, The prevalence of diabetes is at least twice as high in some ethnic groups as it is in whites, even among people with similar body mass index (BMI) numbers, a large new study finds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1853 03/17/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, A new study that looks at the fruit and vegetable consumption of nearly 200,000 people in developing countries finds that the prevalence of inadequate diet is "remarkably high" across the globe. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1861 03/17/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Several bursts of exercise that last five minutes or more might be better for preventing childhood obesity than are intermittent physical activity sessions lasting four minutes or less throughout the day. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1859 03/13/2009, The Milbank Quarterly, Two of the nation's top public-health specialists are issuing a call to arms in a new journal article, urging the food industry not to follow the same playbook as cigarette companies did starting in the 1950s. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1860 03/03/2009, Annals of Behavioral Medicince, Go ahead. Nag, nag, nag. It might do some good after all. The more smokers worry about health risks, the more they will contemplate quitting, according to a new study in the latest issue of the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1855 03/03/2009, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Teens with type 1 diabetes are responsible for taking insulin, monitoring blood sugar levels and keeping doctor visits. Now, a new study suggests that feelings such as anger or sadness could interfere with teens' diabetes management. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1855 02/26/2009, American Journal of Public Health, Although one might expect awareness of racism to be a barrier, it seemed to have the opposite effect in a study on African-Americans and HIV testing. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1855 02/26/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, How big is a serving of spaghetti or a cup of cranberry juice? A new study suggests people with lower literacy levels might have a more difficult time sizing up the foods they eat. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1854 02/24/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, A new study finds that - despite being responsible enough to have a job at such a young age - fifth-graders who work are more likely to exhibit bad health behaviors than their unemployed 10-year-old peers. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1852 02/23/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, Armed with the findings of a new study, Taiwanese researchers suggest parents and educators pay more attention to children's online habits because Internet-addicted teens seem more prone to aggression. However, Americans who study violence are not ready to make any conclusions about a possible link. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1851 02/20/2009, Journal of Adolescent Health, Discouraging unhealthy dieting - and reminding teens that dangerous diet practices could lead to added pounds - could prevent obesity and other weight-related problems in youth, according to recent recommendations based on a large-scale study of teens. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1850 2/17/2009, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Raising a child with a disability can cause more daily stress and long-range health problems than parenting a child without disabilities, according to a new study that looked at a clinical measure of stress along with parents’ survey responses. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1849 2/10/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, In 2006, a team of researchers set out to examine what sorts of walking programs and incentives might induce sedentary people over age 50 to put on their sneakers. They found that small cash payments might just provide that extra push. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1848 2/10/2009, Cochrane Library, Street lighting can help prevent car crashes, injuries and fatalities, and might be a relatively low-cost way to reduce the burden of traffic accidents in low- and middle-income countries, according to a new review of studies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1847 2/5/2009, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Putting food on the table, struggling with unemployment and meeting the relentless needs of young children all contribute to household stress. Now, a new study finds that these pressures also increase the possibility that a mother will be obese. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1845 2/5/2009, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, A new study shows that more than half of low-income U.S. fathers have no health insurance, and even those with jobs do not always have access to affordable coverage. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1846 2/3/2009, Cochrane Library, Faced with a shortage of beds and costly patient care, some hospitals are turning to programs that provide acute care for patients at home. However, there is not yet enough information to know whether these "hospital at home" programs improve health and reduce costs for patients discharged early from the hospital, according to a new research review. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1844 2/3/2009, Cochrane Library, Did your daughter work up a sweat playing basketball in gym class today or did she spend half the class hanging out on the bleachers? Most likely, physical education is not even part of her daily schedule. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1843 1/27/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review finds no definitive connection between diet and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the lining of the joints. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1841 1/27/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, For drinkers concerned that their alcohol use might be spiraling out of control, a personalized self-help program can curb dangerous drinking habits in just a single session, a new review finds. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1842 1/22/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review shows that ankle and foot splints can help stroke patients regain the ability to walk and keep their balance, although splints - also called orthotics - offer less improvement for other activities, like climbing stairs. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1839 1/22/2009, Cochrane Library, Addressing the psychological, social and behavioral aspects of fatigue during active cancer treatment is "a promising type of intervention," according to a new systematic review. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1840 1/21/2009, General Hospital Psychiatry, Migraine headaches can precede the onset of mental disorders, according to a growing body of knowledge that includes a new study in the January-February 2009 issue of General Hospital Psychiatry. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1830 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, Confirming suspicions that studies with low-key results often get neglected, a review finds that research is more likely to end up in print if it has a certain 'wow' factor. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1835 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to keep the White House a "smoke-free zone" when he takes office on January 20, despite his admitted struggles with tobacco relapse. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1834 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, Worrying about a bad hair day or idly wishing for a more-perfect profile: we've all been there. However, people suffering from body dysmorphic disorder go far beyond that, obsessing over exaggerated or even imaginary physical defects, to the point where it affects their ability to work, attend school or have ordinary social contacts. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1838 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review of studies spread over five continents finds that overweight or obese children and teens can lose weight with lifestyle changes - sometimes coupled with medication. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1832 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, A new Cochrane review finds that following a low glycemic index diet helps people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to improve their blood glucose (blood sugar) control significantly. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1831 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, Two new systematic reviews have found that acupuncture therapy can provide patients who suffer from tension and migraine headache an alternative treatment for their pain. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1833 1/20/2009, Cochrane Library, A new review confirms that the addition of radiation therapy to lumpectomy in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive early form of breast cancer, substantially decreases the risk of recurrence of either DCIS or invasive breast cancer in the affected breast. http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1837 01/06/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Socially disadvantaged mothers who receive home visits from trained community visitors are less likely to deliver low birth weight babies than other mothers in similar circumstances, a new study finds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1821 01/06/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Workplace programs that encourage employees to set exercise goals pay off, finds a new study that looked at physical activity levels of Home Depot employees who participated in the "Move to Improve" program. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1828 01/06/2009, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, If videogames like "Madden NFL" did not exist, 12-year-old Tom might go outside and toss around a real football - and he’d have a better chance of sprinting for a touchdown without getting winded. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1822 12/31/2008, American Journal of Health Promotion, Group exercise programs, treadmill training and horseback riding can be healthy choices for children with developmental disabilities, a new review of studies concludes. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1829 12/24/2009, Medical Care, Public reports on the quality of care delivered by health plans might motivate patients to choose better providers - if they are not constrained by issues of cost and accessibility to doctors, according to a review of recent studies. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1819 12/11/2008, American Journal of Public Health , Remember the cool girls, huddled together in high school restrooms, puffing their cigarettes? Well, here’s consolation for the nerds in the crowd: Those teen smokers are more likely to experience obesity as adults, according to a new study from Finland. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1826 12/9/2008, Archives of Internal Medicine, A new study suggests that spikes of anxiety can cause the blood pressure of some people to rise when a doctor is examining them, a phenomenon known as the "white coat effect." http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1824 12/09/2008, American Journal of Public Health, Older adults who participate regularly in physical activity programs in their community can see noticeable improvement in upper- and lower-body strength, a new study finds. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1823 12/02/2008, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Imagine turning the tech era's most annoying invention - voice-response telephone systems *#45;into something good. Researchers say they did exactly that in a new study on the use of interactive-voice response counseling to offer nutrition tips to families with obese children. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1815 12/01/2008, Journal of Adolescent Health, Although national health guidelines call for physicians to discuss topics such as substance use, safety and nutrition with adolescents, new research suggests that these talks do not occur as often as they should. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1811 12/01/2008, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Low bone mass, or osteoporosis, is a known consequence of alcoholism, especially in older alcoholics. However, a new study shows that younger male alcoholics are also at increased risk for osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis, no matter what the cause, are at an increased risk for fractures and poor fracture healing. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1812 11/25/2008, Archives of Internal Medicine, A new study provides limited evidence that physicians could make fewer mistakes on the job by abandoning paper-based medicine in favor of electronic health records http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1818 11/20/2008, Journal of Adolescent Health, Overweight teens who weigh themselves at least once a week are more likely to engage in other healthy weight control measures than teens who step on the scale less frequently, according to a new small study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1814 11/18/2008, Journal of Adolescent Health, Although some teenagers and young adults become infertile following cancer treatment, physicians are hesitant to discuss options to preserve fertility with patients, according to a new Florida study. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1813 11/11/08, General Hospital Psychiatry, New research suggests that patients with chronic pain are more prone than others are to consider suicide. The increased risk remained even when study authors took the possible influence of mental illness into account. http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1806