Study Links Poverty, Chronic Health Problems In Children
Access to health care and health literacy may play a part in the increased risk, says the study's lead researcher Dr. Christian Pulcini. In other public health news, the FDA is focusing on young adults in the LGBT community with its latest anti-smoking campaign; after years of pain and distress one woman finds her cure for debilitating migraines; and a study touts the impact of states' social services and public health programs.
CBS News:
More U.S. Kids Have Chronic Health Problems, Study Finds
The number of American kids suffering from asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is on the increase, with poor children being hit the hardest, researchers report. Children living in extreme poverty who had asthma and ADHD were nearly twice as likely to have at least one other chronic medical condition. These conditions included developmental delays, autism, depression, anxiety, behavioral or conduct issues, speech and language problems, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. (Reinberg, 5/2)
The Associated Press:
FDA Effort Aims To Curb Smoking In LGBT Community
The Food and Drug Administration's latest anti-smoking campaign takes aim at young adults in the LGBT community, who officials say are nearly twice as likely to use tobacco as their peers. The $35.7 million effort targets the estimated 40 percent of 2 million LGBT young adults in the U.S. who occasionally smoke. Dubbed "This Free Life," the campaign will begin running print, digital and outdoor advertising in 12 markets this week. The ads use the slogan "Freedom to be, Tobacco-Free," and are aimed at adults ages 18 to 24. (5/2)
The Washington Post:
Migraines Were Destroying My Life. Here’s What Finally Cured Me.
My normal headache seemed to have matured into a migraine the way a baby crocodile grows into a human-snatching beast. From that day on I no longer had regular headaches. I now suffered from migraines. Migraines affect more than 29 million Americans and are more common among women than men. According to the Office of Women’s Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, most sufferers are between the ages of 15 and 55, have a family history of migraines or disabling headaches, and often have such symptoms as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. (Gokun Silver, 5/2)
USA Today:
Social Service Shortfalls Hinder Health, Boost Medical Spending
States that spend more money on social services and public health programs relative to medical care have much healthier residents than states that don’t, a study out today by a prominent public health researcher found. The study comes as the Obama administration prepares to fund its own research to support the idea that higher social service spending can improve health and lower health care costs. (O'Donnell, 5/2)
