Fewer U.S. High School Students Having Sex, Using Drugs
The 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) paints a promising picture about the drug and sexual behaviors U.S. high school students report, but the findings leave room for concern – especially among groups of young people who report multiple health risks. “The health of our youth reflects the Nation’s wellbeing,” said CDC Director Robert […]
Youth Tobacco Use Drops During 2011-2017
Fewer U.S. middle and high school students are using tobacco products – but too many still do, according to a new survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products. In 2017, 3.6 million middle and high school students say they […]
Home Canning and Botulism
It’s summertime and time to harvest the delicious produce you’ve been growing. You may be thinking about home canning as a way to preserve your garden goodies. But beware! If home canning is not done the proper way, your canned vegetables and fruits could cause botulism. What is botulism? Botulism is a rare but potentially deadly […]
Avoid Dengue by Preventing Mosquito Bites
Each year, an estimated 400 million people are infected with dengue virus. About 100 million get sick. Outbreaks have occurred in Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Africa. Signs and Symptoms of Dengue Most people infected have mild or no symptoms. About 1 in 4 people infected with […]
‘Supersized Alcopops’ Pose Unique Danger to Youth
College students seriously underestimate the effects of drinking a new class of beverages being marketed across the country, according to a new George Mason University study. “Supersized alcopops” – sweet, colorful and fizzy drinks that have been shown to appeal to youth – now contain almost as much alcohol as a six-pack of beer in […]
Teenage Girls Are More Impacted By Sleepiness Than Teen Boys.
Preliminary results of a recent study show that teen girls reported a higher degree of interference of daytime sleepiness on multiple aspects of their school and personal activities than boys. The study examined whether teen boys and girls report similar negative impact of sleep disturbances on their daytime functioning. “What was most surprising is the […]
Tennesseans Drop Off More Than 10 Tons of Pills During Spring Take Back Event
Tennessee collected an impressive 20,590 pounds of prescription drugs during the DEA’s 15th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 28. For Count It! Lock It! Drop It! those statistics continue to indicate that its efforts are paying off. CLD is a community program for prescription drug misuse that works to raise awareness about […]
Perception That Antibiotics Are Harmless is Widespread
A new study of decision-making about the use of antibiotics in medicine has found that the mistaken belief that antibiotics are harmless is widespread, especially among patients. Clinicians and patients alike are influenced by the general notion of “why not take a risk” (“WNTAR”), a belief that there is potential benefit and very little risk […]
Mobile App for Autism Screening Yields Useful Data
A Duke study of an iPhone app to screen young children for signs of autism has found that the app is easy to use, welcomed by caregivers and good at producing reliable scientific data. The study, described June 1 in an open access journal npj Digital Medicine, points the way to broader, easier access to screening […]
1 in 3 Swimming-Related Disease Outbreaks Occur at Hotels
A third of treated recreational waterborne disease outbreaks during 2000 through 2014 occurred in hotel pools or hot tubs, according to a report published today in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), Pseudomonas, and Legionella caused most of the outbreaks in swimming venues in the United States during this time period. Crypto is a parasite tough enough […]
Woulda’, Coulda’, Shoulda’: The Haunting Regret of Failing Our Ideal Selves
Forsaken dreams. Romantic interests not pursued. Securing a job near home rather than an adventurous position overseas. Our most enduring regrets are the ones that stem from our failure to live up to our ideal selves, according to new Cornell University research. Psychologist Tom Gilovich and former Cornell graduate student Shai Davidai have found people […]
Are Your Children Overdoing It? Too Many Extracurricular Activities Can Do More Harm Than Good
The growing demand for children to get involved in organized activities outside of school is placing unprecedented strain upon families. A new study, published in Taylor & Francis journal Sport, Education and Society, reveals just how significant a role extracurricular activities, such as music lessons and sports clubs, play in family life. Attempting to understand […]
Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Increasing in the US
Illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016. Nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered or introduced into the United States during this time. These findings are in the latest Vital Signs report by the Centers […]
TDH, Partners Kick Off Safe Stars to Promote Youth Sports Safety
The Tennessee Department of Health and the Program for Injury Prevention in Youth Sports at The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt joined professional and collegiate sports officials and other community partners at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville today to kick off the Safe Stars initiative. Safe Stars is a new effort to recognize Tennessee […]
Mosquitoes Will Bite When Thirsty, Too.
When it’s hot and dry, mosquitoes like nothing more than the refreshing taste of you. Biologists with the University of Cincinnati discovered that female mosquitoes bite not only to get the protein they need to lay eggs but also to quench their thirst during a drought. Now researchers are trying to find out just how […]
Know Your Risks for Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis C is a deadly but treatable disease. That’s why the Tennessee Department of Health is sharing a reminder about the importance of getting tested. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, a perfect time to learn your status and risks for infection. “There are three types of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Each […]
