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Stroke warning signs need more urgent attention

Patients who suffer stroke-like attacks can have mortality rates 20 per cent higher than the general population, new research finds, leading to calls for better stroke prevention strategies for those who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

10 Nov 2011

Younger anxious adults tend to immediately avoid anti-smoking videos

Younger adults who generally feel anxious tend to immediately avoid anti-smoking videos that describe how cigarettes can lead to death, disease and harm to others, before considering the message, according to a new University of Georgia study.

10 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Romney's critical missing information on Medicare; anti-smoking messages too graphic

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney conveniently left out key facts when he ripped a new health care cost-control measure - the Independent Payment Advisory Board. . The Affordable Care Act also specifically limits the board's powers. It cannot ration care, reduce benefits, raise premiums or other cost-sharing such as copays. As part of that, it cannot raise Medicare's eligibility age, as Romney himself has proposed.

10 Nov 2011

Judge blocks FDA rule on new cigarette pack warning images

Federal Judge Richard Leon says the regulation ordering cigarette makers to put graphic images on the packages may "unconstitutionally compel speech."

9 Nov 2011

Study examines psychological factors related to diabetes management

Genetics play a critical role in developing diabetes. So do eating properly, exercising and not smoking. According to a new study by an Ithaca College psychology professor and her two colleagues, people with diabetes who see themselves as responsible for their disease onset blame themselves for making poor lifestyle choices and are significantly less likely to monitor their glucose levels, properly inject themselves and make lifestyle choices that would benefit their condition.

9 Nov 2011

Strong clean indoor air laws associated with voluntary smokefree home rules

Second hand smoke exposure among nonsmokers has declined over time as clean indoor air laws have been adopted. However, there has been concern that such laws might encourage smokers to smoke more in their homes or other private venues. Children living in a home with an adult smoker are up to twice as likely to take up smoking themselves.

9 Nov 2011

More than 3 million Americans quit smoking every year

The United States is winning the war against smoking. More than 3 million Americans quit smoking every year and fewer are adopting the unhealthy and expensive habit.

9 Nov 2011

Financial strain may induce alcohol use and smoking among older adults

During financial hard times, some older adults may turn to alcohol or cigarettes as a way to cope, according to a study in the November issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

9 Nov 2011

Cigarette package warnings stopped citing free speech

A federal judge has obstructed a U.S. rule requiring tobacco companies to display graphic images on cigarette packs citing free speech.

8 Nov 2011

Medics fail to give patients crucial information about link between obesity and cancer

People who work in health care are failing to give patients crucial information about the link between obesity and cancer according to new research presented today at the National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference (NCRI) in Liverpool.

8 Nov 2011

ACS's initiative can help smokers to kick their habit

Thousands of smokers will quit on Thursday, November 17th, with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. But many will be puffing away by Christmas and will need to quit several times before quitting for good.

8 Nov 2011

GAPPS research into causes of preterm births and development of solutions

Thirteen million babies are born prematurely every year, but new funding announced today will allow for pioneering research into the causes of preterm births and the development of solutions so they can be prevented.

8 Nov 2011

A person's stroke risk profile may help identify future cognitive problems

A new study shows a person's stroke risk profile, which includes high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, may also be helpful in predicting whether a person will develop memory and thinking problems later in the life.

8 Nov 2011

Smoking primes the brain for cocaine addiction: Study

The study comes from the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Maryland that is the first of its kind to show how nicotine can change the brain in a way that enhances the behavioral effects of cocaine. It could help explain why so many drug-using teenagers tend to start with cigarettes and alcohol before moving on to more illegal substances.

7 Nov 2011

Experts share latest buzz on allergies to alcohol and tobacco

While the health benefits of drinking wine in moderation continue to make news, for some with allergies even a glass a day may be difficult to swallow. At the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Boston, Nov. 3-8, allergists share the latest buzz on allergies to alcohol and tobacco.

7 Nov 2011

RA patients with low levels of inflammation less likely to develop cardiovascular disease

According to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have low levels of inflammatory disease activity have lower risk for heart complications and stroke.

7 Nov 2011

Link between deprivation and bowel cancer deaths in men

Deprived men are more likely to die from bowel cancer than men from the most affluent section of society, new research presented at the NCRI Cancer Conference in Liverpool this week shows.

7 Nov 2011

Exposure to air pollution may increase risk of RA

Exposure to some types of air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide — one of the six most common pollutants in the United States — is associated with a somewhat increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

7 Nov 2011

Potential predictors of spinal damage progression in people with spondyloarthritis

The presence of syndesmophytes (bony growths in the spine), acute phase reactants (proteins that are released into the blood in response to inflammation), and smoking status can all serve as predictors for the progression of structural damage in the spine in people with spondyloarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

7 Nov 2011

New study shows that worksite health promotion may improve health benefits

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.

5 Nov 2011