Even Modest Walking Linked to Lower Risk of Diabetes

A new study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, examined number of steps walked on average and diabetes risk, and found that people who walked the most were 29 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who walked the least. This study builds on research linking even limited physical activity to lower diabetes risk, and helps to quantify the effect with number of steps taken on average. The association held when accounting for age, smoking status and other diabetes risk factors, but not BMI. Read more on diabetes.

Fewer Women Got Mammograms After New Guidelines Released

Preventive mammography rates in women in their 40s have dropped nearly 6 percent nationwide since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended against routine mammograms for women in this age group, according a Mayo Clinic analysis. The study was presented at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting this week. Read more NewPublicHealth coverage from the AcademyHealth meeting.

Sixteen Percent of U.S. Population Addicted to Cigarettes, Alcohol or Drugs

Forty million Americans ages 12 and older have an addiction involving nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, according to a five-year national study released this week by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. The study authors say only about 1 in 10 people who need treatment for addiction involving alcohol or other drugs receive it. Read more on substance abuse.

Former NFL Players, Families File Law Suit over Brain Injuries

The Associated Press is reporting that many former players or their families have filed a master lawsuit against the National Football League, accusing the league of withholding information that linked head injuries during practice and games to permanent brain injuries. Read more on sports-related head injuries.

GAO Report on School Bullying Finds Insufficient Legal Protections for Victims

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on school bullying finds that 20-28% of youths reported being bullied in school, but that federal and some state laws provide only limited protection against bullying since they don’t identify specific groups, such as race or gender. The report recommends that federal agencies investigate legal options for victims of bullying, provide more information on state-level protections and determine whether current protections are adequate. Read more on violence.

CDC Survey Finds Some Improvements, Some Concerns in Youth Health Risk Behaviors

A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that U.S. high school students have shown significant progress over twenty years in improving many health risk behaviors particularly related to motor vehicle safety, but still engage in some dangerous practices such as cyber bullying, marijuana use and texting and emailing while driving.

Improved behaviors in the report include:

• From 1991 to 2011, the percentage of high school students who never or rarely wore a seatbelt declined from 26 to 8.
• From 1991 to 2011, the percentage of students who rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol during the past 30 days declined from 40 to 24.
• The percentage of high school students who had driven a car during the past 30 days when they had been drinking alcohol decreased from 17 in 1997 to 8 in 2011.

Concerning behaviors identified in the survey include:

• One in three high school students had texted or e-mailed while driving a car or other vehicle in the thirty days before the survey.
• Current cigarette use did not change significantly between 2009 (19 percent) and 2011 (18 percent).
• Marijuana use increased from 21 percent to 23 percent, although there has been an overall decrease in current marijuana use (from 27 percent in 1999 to 23 percent in 2011).
• Current marijuana use among high school students was more common than current cigarette use (23 percent compared to 18 percent).

Read more on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HHS Report Finds Some Children’s Vaccines May Have Been Improperly Stored

The Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report "Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program: Vulnerabilities in Vaccine Management." this week that found that some vaccines stored by health care providers as part of the government’s Vaccines for Children program may have been stored at the wrong temperature, which could make them less effective. In some clinics and offices, expired and unexpired vaccines had been stored together.

In a statement responding to the report, the CDC said that most of the expired vaccines were seasonal flu shots that would not have been administered and that, “While the safety and health of our nation’s children has not been compromised by the issues identified by the OIG, the findings are important and underscore that we must do better at ensuring that all vaccines are stored properly at all times, including removing expired vaccine from units where viable vaccines are stored.” Read more on vaccines.

Growing Number of Boomers Abuse Drugs

Data from national surveys reviewed by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that the number of 50 to 59-year-old adults reporting past-month abuse of illicit drugs — including the nonmedical use of prescription drugs — more than doubled from 2002 to 2010. The number increased from 907,000 in 2002 to 2,375,000 in 2010, or from 2.7 to 5.8 percent of this population.

The NIDA researchers say younger baby boomers were more likely than previous generations to have used illicit drugs in their youth, but abusing these drugs may be particularly harmful in older adults. "As people get older, it is more difficult for their bodies to absorb and break down medications and drugs," says Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the NIDA. "Abusing these substances can worsen age-related health conditions, cause injuries and lead to addiction.” Read more on substance abuse.

Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea Across Countries Prompts WHO Action Plan

Millions of people with gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease, may be at risk of running out of treatment options, according to an action plan released this week by the World Health Organization (WHO). Several countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, are reporting cases of resistance to cephalosporin antibiotics — the last treatment option against gonorrhea.

According to the WHO, every year an estimated 106 million people are infected with gonorrhea. The action plan calls for increased vigilance on the correct use of antibiotics, more research into alternative treatment regimens for gonorrhea, increased monitoring and reporting of resistant strains, and better prevention, diagnosis and control of the infections. Read more on sexual health.

Just Two to Three Head CTs May Increase Brain Tumor Risk in Kids

Two or three computed tomography (CT) head scans in kids can triple the risk of brain cancer later in life, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The study, which spanned twenty years, also found that the accumulated radiation in five to 10 scans during childhood may increase the likelihood of a child developing leukemia.

Recommendations include keeping radiation doses as low as possible and using alternatives to CT scans such as MRI and ultrasound, when possible.

The risk is about 1 in 10,000 according to the researchers, which may help physicians weigh the risk and benefit in each case. The study comes at a time when concern over sports-related head injuries may be increasing the number of head CT scans for kids. Read more on sports-related head injuries.

The National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy is about to celebrate its first anniversary. The Strategy offers a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. A cornerstone of the National Prevention Strategy is that it recognizes that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care, but also from the conditions we face where we live, learn work and play such as clean water and air, safe worksites and healthy foods. The strategy was developed by the National Prevention Council, which is composed of 17 federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and others.

As the Strategy is rolled out, NewPublicHealth will be speaking with Cabinet Secretaries, Agency directors and their designees to the Prevention Council about the initiatives being introduced to work with all Americans toward the goal of long and healthy lives.

This week, NewPublicHealth spoke with R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy about their focus on prevention, shortly after the Office released the 2012 National Drug Control Strategy. Listen to the short podcast, and read the full interview below.

>>Follow the full National Prevention Strategy series on NewPublicHealth.org.

NewPublicHealth:What is the scope of the problem of drug abuse in the United States and who does it affect?

Gil Kerlikowske: Well, we know that it affects everyone. I’ve spent three years in this job and traveled all over the country, actually all over the world. I cannot find anyone who has not been impacted by drugs. A family member, a friend, a spouse, a co-worker, a neighbor. So the scope is significant and the cost is significant; $193 billion is the most recent estimate and that was from a Department of Justice report.

NPH: Thinking about the scope of that problem, why is prevention such a critical goal for the ONDCP?

A NewPublicHealth Q&A with Jack B. Stein

The National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy is about to celebrate its first anniversary. The Strategy offers a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. A cornerstone of the National Prevention Strategy is that it recognizes that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care, but also from the conditions we face where we live, learn work and play such as clean water and air, safe worksites and healthy foods. The strategy was developed by the National Prevention Council, which is composed of 17 federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and others.

The Strategy outlines four strategic directions that, together, are fundamental to improving the nation’s health:

• Building Healthy and Safe Community Environments
• Expanding Quality Preventive Services in Both Clinical and Community Settings
• Empowering People to Make Healthy Choices
• Eliminating Health Disparities

As the Strategy is rolled out, NewPublicHealth will be speaking with Cabinet Secretaries, Agency directors and their designees to the Prevention Council about the initiatives being introduced to work with all Americans toward the goal of long and healthy lives.

This week, NewPublicHealth spoke with Jack B. Stein, PhD, Chief of the Prevention Branch in the Office of National Drug Control Policy's Office of Demand Reduction.

NewPublicHealth: What is the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) role in implementing the National Prevention Strategy?

Jack Stein: Our agency is one of the 17 principal agencies on the National Prevention Council, and so we’ve had the opportunity to help shape the development of the National Prevention Strategy and participate in its implementation. We were particularly excited that there is a specific priority area in the strategy that focuses on substance abuse prevention and that the recommendations parallel those contained in the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. In fact, we highlighted prevention in the 2011 update of our Strategy. I think this was a great way to shine a spotlight on the important role prevention plays in creating safer and healthier communities.

NPH: What specific initiatives does ONDCP support in the National Prevention Strategy?

Birth Rates for U.S. Teenagers Reach Historic Lows for All Age and Ethnic Groups

The U.S. teen birth rate declined 9 percent from 2009 to 2010, reaching a historic low at 34.3 births per 1,000 women age 15 through 19. The rate dropped 44 percent from 1991 through 2010. Teen birth rates by age and race and Hispanic origin were lower in 2010 than ever reported in the United States, and fewer babies were born to teenagers in 2010 than in any year since 1946. Read more on sexual health.

Online Tool Estimates Youth Exposure to Alcohol Ads on the Radio

A new online tool from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health determines the extent of exposure to radio alcohol advertisements among young people ages 12 to 20 in 75 different media markets. The free tool is the first service to provide parents, health departments and other key audiences with customizable information on youth exposure to radio alcohol advertising. Read more on alcohol and public health.

Non-cancerous Brain Tumors Linked to Frequent High-dosage Dental X-rays

A new study published in the journal Cancer suggests that risk of meningioma, a potentially debilitating type of non-cancerous brain tumor, was associated with receiving frequent dental X-rays before X-ray dosages were lowered.

Researchers from the Yale University School of Public Health analyzed data from 1,433 patients who were diagnosed with the tumor as well as a control group of 1,350 individuals with similar characteristics who did not have the tumor. The study found that over a lifetime, individuals who developed meningioma were more than twice as likely as those in the control group to report having received "bitewing exams" (which use X-ray film held in place by a tab between the teeth) on a yearly or more frequent basis.

Federal Appeals Court Backs FDA Use of Tobacco Graphic Warning Labels; Final Decision Still Pending

The Boston Globe and other news outlets are reporting that a federal appeals court ruled on Monday that the government’s planned graphic warning labels on cigarette packages were legal and didn't violate the free speech rights of tobacco companies. That backs a previous ruling by a lower court in Kentucky. However, the most recent ruling was in opposition to the ruling of a federal district court in Washington, D.C., which concluded last month that the labels were unconstitutional. The Justice Department is appealing that ruling. Read more on cigarette graphic warning labels.

AAP Releases Report on Synthetic Marijuana

Public health officials have recently reported a growing concern over synthetic versions of marijuana that are sold in gas stations and convenience stores in some communities, and can result in emergency room treatment for users, mainly teenagers. A new report in Pediatrics details signs and symptoms of intoxication caused by the substances so that pediatricians and other health care professionals can recognize them.

The drugs produce euphoric and psychoactive effects similar to those associated with marijuana. However, additional effects may be may be particularly dangerous, according to the report, including restlessness and agitation, excessive sweating associated with shock catatonia, inability to speak, or unusual aggression. Read up on the latest news in substance abuse.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently launched an easy-to-read website on drug abuse designed for adults with a low reading literacy level (eighth grade or below). The site provides plain language information on drug abuse prevention and treatment and has a simple design with large text size, videos and other features that make it easy to read and use.

NewPublicHealth spoke with Cathrine Sasek, PhD, Science Education Coordinator of the National Institute on Drug Abuse about the new site.

NewPublicHealth: Why is it so important to create materials specifically for low literacy populations?

Cathrine Sasek: We know that drug abuse and drug addiction span all segments of the population, yet the information that’s available on the science of addiction, which includes information on treatment and prevention, is not geared for people with low literacy. So this means that there is a segment of the population that doesn’t have good access to really good scientific information on the problem of drug abuse.

Nearly 800,000 Deaths Prevented by Declines in Smoking

A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds that twentieth-century tobacco control programs and policies were responsible for preventing more than 795,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. The study authors say that if all cigarette smoking in this country had ended following the release of the first Surgeon General's report on smoking and health in 1964, a total of 2.5 million people would have been spared from lung cancer-related deaths in the 36 years following that report. Read up on the latest tobacco news.

Emergency Room Costs Linked to Binge Drinking Can Cost Colleges over $500,000 per Year

According to four Harvard School of Public Health national surveys, 44 percent of all college students binge drink, and nearly 600,000 suffered injuries in 2001, many of them associated with alcohol-induced blackouts. A new study, released today by Health Affairs, calculates that at a university with 40,000 or more students, blackout-associated emergency room costs range from $469,000 to $546,000 per year. This study is the first to look at emergency room costs associated with college students' alcohol-related blackouts. Read more on substance abuse.

Federal Panel Recommends Less Frequent Pap Smears to Detect Cervical Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations on yearly Pap smears to detect cervical cancer for the first time since 2003. The group, health experts convened by the Federal government, now says a yearly Pap smear is not necessary for women aged 21 to 65, and that women younger than 21 don't need the test at all because the evidence shows that it does not does not lower cervical-cancer rates or deaths in that age group.

FDA Approves First Flu Vaccine to Protect Against Four Strains of Flu Virus

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FluMist Quadrivalent, a vaccine to prevent seasonal flu in people ages 2 through 49. The new vaccine is the first flu shot to contain four strains of the influenza virus: two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains. Previous vaccines have contained two A strains and one B strain. According to the FDA, adding the second strain of the B virus increases the likelihood of adequate protection against circulating influenza B strains. Read more flu news.

Teens Who Watch Movies With Alcohol More Likely To Binge Drink

A survey of teenagers in six European countries, published in Pediatrics, found that the more exposure teens had to alcohol use in movies, the more likely they were to binge drink, even after controlling for other factors such as age and affluence. The study authors say alcohol should be considered in movie ratings. Read more on substance abuse.

Strategies Help Reduce Cost of Healthy Snacks for After-School Programs

Nutritious snacks don’t have to bust budgets, according to a new study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. The new study, published in Preventing Chronic Disease, looked at the cost of foods served in YMCA after-school programs in four cities and offered strategies for lowering costs:

• Serve water instead of juice
• Do not serve sugar-sweetened beverages
• Serve low-priced vegetables such as carrots or celery
• Avoid food with trans fats

Read more on school health.