Epidemiology News and Research

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1 in 10 adults develop asthma at their workplace

According to Australian researchers as many as 1 in 10 Australians who develop asthma as an adult can blame it on their workplace.

7 Jun 2006

Black women have fewer breast cancers than white women, but their mortality is worse

For decades, researchers have tried to understand why breast cancer in younger black women is such a significant public health problem.

7 Jun 2006

Maternal vitamin D levels and infant bone density

Can bones remember? According to new research presented at the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis in Toronto, Canada they can.

6 Jun 2006

Hydrophobic statins not associated with increased breast cancer risk

A report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who took statins--the widely used cholesterol lowering drugs--do not face an increased breast cancer risk as had been suggested by some previous studies.

6 Jun 2006

Minister upholds Hazardous Products Act by announcing Board of Review for baby walkers

Tony Clement, Canadian Minister of Health, today named the three Board of Review members who will inquire into the April 2004 decision to ban the sale, importation, and advertisement of baby walkers.

5 Jun 2006

Exercise shown to have an anti-cancer effect

According to Australian researchers exercise appears to slow down the growth of cancer cells because it increases a protein that blocks cell growth and induces cell death.

30 May 2006

Alcohol may actually be good for the heart in men

The latest news on drinking alcohol suggests that men who have a tipple every day have a lower risk of heart disease than those who drink less frequently.

29 May 2006

On the diabetes front the news is not good

According to newly published study more than 73 million Americans, one-third of the adult population either already have diabetes and don't even know they have it or are well on the way to getting it.

29 May 2006

MRI cost-effective for some women at high-risk of breast cancer

A computer model simulation suggests that adding breast MRI screening may be cost-effective for women of certain ages who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.

23 May 2006

Pollution increases risks in people with diabetes, heart failure and other diseases

People with diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of death when they are exposed to particulate air pollution, or soot, for one or more years.

23 May 2006

Little evidence multivitamins prevent chronic diseases

There is little scientific evidence to suggest that taking a multivitamin supplement helps Americans ward off chronic diseases, including most cancers and cardiovascular disease.

23 May 2006

NIH panel says little benefit to be gained by taking multivitamin supplements

According to a National Institutes of Health panel there is little evidence to support that taking multivitamin supplements is of any benefit to healthy adults.

21 May 2006

Wake-up call - the cost of caffeine in pregnancy

The link between the caffeine intake of expectant mothers and low birth-weight babies is being explored in a groundbreaking study which will, for the first time, link caffeine intake with individual variations in metabolism - or breakdown - of caffeine.

17 May 2006

Panel calls for expanded oversight of vitamin and mineral supplements

An independent panel convened this week by the NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research and the Office of Dietary Supplements assessed the available evidence on the safety and effectiveness of multivitamin/minerals (MVMs).

17 May 2006

BMI standards for younger adults may not be appropriate for people in their 80s and 90s

If you're more than 80 years old, carrying a few extra pounds might not be such a bad idea. In fact, it may be beneficial.

16 May 2006

Life course social roles and women's health in mid-life

Holding down a job and being a mum in a steady relationship helps keep women healthy and in good shape over the long term, suggests research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

16 May 2006

Juggle that career mum, you'll be healthier in the long run!

Despite what working women may feel on a bad day, the very act of having to juggle career, motherhood and being a partner may actually be keeping them healthy.

15 May 2006

14 million Americans are visually impaired

A National Eye Institute (NEI) study has found that although 94 percent of Americans aged 12 and older have good vision, the remaining six percent, or 14 million, are visually impaired.

12 May 2006

Cancer-causing chemicals associated with tobacco smoke found in the urine of nearly half the babies of smoking parents

When mum or dad puffs on a cigarette, their infants may inhale the resulting second-hand smoke. Now, scientists have detected cancer-causing chemicals associated with tobacco smoke in the urine of nearly half the babies of smoking parents.

12 May 2006

Europe-wide study into the role of genetics and the environment in the development asthma

Previous investigations have fallen short of proving cause-effect due to the complexity of human genetics and varying lifestyles. But the EU-funded GABRIEL study has pooled the very best in the field from all over Europe and can draw on the latest genomic and environmental data and approaches.

11 May 2006