Health Headlines - June 4

Heat Deaths Among Minorities Linked to Lack of Central AC

A lack of central air conditioning may explain why heat-related deaths are more likely in black urban households than in white households in the United States, according to a new study.

Finding Right Target Still Tough With Gene Therapy

For many at the cutting edge of gene therapy, the problem is, literally, how to get it there.

Simple Model Predicts Prostate Cancer Type

U.S. researchers say they've developed a simple model to help doctors predict the presence of high-risk prostate cancer in individual patients.

Higher Taxes Help Smokers Kick the Habit

How can the government help Americans stop smoking? New research suggests that higher tobacco taxes will do the trick, and stricter no-smoking rules in the workplace aren't a bad idea either.

Survey: Much Chronic Pain Goes Untreated

Twenty percent of Americans who suffer chronic pain have never seen a doctor about their discomfort and only 5 percent have consulted a pain specialist, according to a study that also identified racial disparities in access to pain care.

Don't Take Lyme Disease Lightly

The mention of West Nile virus can send some people into an unwarranted panic.

Microbe 'Biofilms' Cause Ear Infection

Middle ear infections, the bane of babies and young children everywhere, are caused by drug-resistant bacterial conglomerations called "biofilms," a new study confirms.

W.Va. Sends Out SOS for Obesity Problem

West Virginia, a state with one of the worst obesity problems in the country, has called in the big guns for help. For the first time ever, federal disease investigators in Atlanta are studying obesity, just as they would investigate the rapid spread of an infectious disease.

Basil Suspected in Cyclospora Outbreak

Contaminated fresh basil is suspected as the most likely cause of an outbreak of the parasitic illness cyclospora that has sickened 300 Floridians, state health officials said Friday.

Undercooked Turkey Blamed in S.C. Outbreak

Undercooked turkey at a Camden restaurant is most likely the cause of one of the worst food-borne illness outbreaks in South Carolina in recent years, the state health department said Friday.

Obesity Research Shows 3 Crucial Periods

Evidence is growing that people's weight at three periods of childhood may be critical in setting them up to be fat in adulthood, scientists said Thursday.

Study: Parents Can Help Babies Get Rhythm

Gently bounce a baby while you sing, and you'll usually get squeals of glee. But it's not just fun: Feeling the beat helps wire babies' brains to hear rhythm. So says new research that tested moms and babies doing what comes naturally — dancing around together.

Water Plant Strike Sparks Cholera Outbreak

A strike at a water-purification facility in eastern Congo has caused an outbreak of cholera, resulting in hundreds of infections that have killed at least four people, a health official said.

Food Fact:
Vegetable-hopping.

With just a few easy tricks, you can bring more veggies into your day. Try these no-hassle ideas: Top broiled chicken or fish with salsa; buy ready-to-eat, pre-washed salad greens; keep your kitchen well-stocked with vegetables that won't spoil quickly -- onions, green onions, garlic, potatoes, winter squash, carrots -- and which can be prepared quickly in a microwave or vegetable steamer.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Ice it down.

Running can place a great deal of stress on the knees; here's a tip for do-it-yourself massage packs. Simply fill small paper cups up with water and place in the freezer. Gently massage the area with the frozen cups for 15 - 20 minutes. Your knees will thank you for it!

FAQ of the day:
Does fat cause cancer?

Fat by itself does not cause cancer. Certain animal fats may promote some cancers, but fats that come from natural plant sources and seafood do not. It's also true that a high-fat, high-calorie diet can increase risk by promoting excessive weight gain, but your husband needs to add pounds to get back to a healthy weight. His dietician is advising him to eat fat because it's the most concentrated source of calories. Help him focus on foods with health-supportive fats, such as nuts, avocadoes, olives, peanuts and peanut butter. You may also want to use a little extra olive and canola oil in cooking and on salads. Dried fruits are another high-nutrition concentrated source of calories, with the bonus of cancer-fighting phytochemicals.