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Extensive use of illicit alcohol worldwide according to new report

The consumption of illicit or noncommercial alcohol is widespread in many countries worldwide and contributes significantly to the global burden of disease, according to a new report released today by the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP).

19 Nov 2008

Party drinking or drinking problem?

From sexual antics with co-workers to acts of violence and embarrassing text messages, alcohol fuels a number of "bad behaviors" at workplace and family holiday parties, according to a new study commissioned by Caron Treatment Centers, one of the nation's leading non-profit addiction treatment centers.

19 Nov 2008

Ten years after tobacco master settlement agreement, much work to be done to combat tobacco use

November 23, 2008 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the tobacco industry and 46 states. Despite a commitment by the states to use proceeds from the settlement to combat tobacco use, states have unfortunately devoted the funds to other priorities at the same time the tobacco industry has increased spending on marketing and promotions. The tragic result is that after five years of decline, youth smoking rates have stalled since 2003.

19 Nov 2008

Falling home ownership, equity, affect college enrollment

Sagging college enrollments may be the next symptom of the sub-prime mortgage mess, according to a University of Michigan economist.

18 Nov 2008

Proposition 8 sparks distress among same-sex couples

Amendments that restrict civil marriage rights of same-sex couples - such as Proposition 8 that recently passed in California - have led to higher levels of stress and anxiety among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults, as well as among their families of origin, according to several new studies to be published by the American Psychological Association.

18 Nov 2008

International health research boosted by NIH grant to create bioethics master's degrees at Indiana and Moi Universities

A new partnership between the Indiana University and Kenya's Moi University will develop master's degrees at both universities that focus on ethical issues in international health research.

18 Nov 2008

New handbook helps prevent the tragedy of campus violence

A guide to help colleges and universities prevent the tragedy of campus violence has been released by a team of leading experts.

18 Nov 2008

Ginkgo's benefits for cognitive decline treatment supported by scientific research

A vast body of research supports numerous health benefits for ginkgo extracts, particularly for treating various symptoms and conditions associated with declining cognitive performance and poor circulation, says the American Botanical Council, an independent nonprofit research and education organization.

18 Nov 2008

Football helmet faceshields can protect against kick to the face

Researchers have determined that the two most popular brands of football helmet faceshields can withstand a hit equivalent to a kick in the face and provide that protection without disrupting players' vision.

18 Nov 2008

Money worries bring on marital stress

Many couples are finding what happens in the nation's boardrooms also affects what happens - or doesn't happen - in the bedroom.

17 Nov 2008

Tobacco companies trying to market new smokeless, spitless tobacco products to young adults

New research at West Virginia University is examining whether a smokeless, spitless tobacco product aimed at young adults is catching on.

17 Nov 2008

Expert calls on government to increase recommended daily vitamin D intake

Today, the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) asked Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, why he is suing a local tanning salon owner for claiming that tanning provides vitamin D, when Vitamin D experts at the University of California Riverside are saying the same thing?

17 Nov 2008

Large analysis of granite countertops finds no health risks

The most comprehensive scientific study of health threats from granite countertops did not find a single stone slab that poses a health risk. Quantities of radon and radiation emitted by stones included in the analysis all fell well below average background levels commonly found in the United States.

17 Nov 2008

Community-based physical activity interventions found to be cost-effective

Community-based physical activity interventions designed to promote more active lifestyles among adults are cost-effective in reducing heart disease, stroke, colorectal and breast cancers, and type 2 diabetes, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

16 Nov 2008

How household bleach kills bacteria

Despite the fact that household bleach is commonly used as a disinfectant, exactly how it works to fight bacteria remained an open question.

16 Nov 2008

Second pregnancy for Thomas Beatie

With the world abuzz of the news of his second pregnancy, Thomas Beatie tells the definitive story of his first pregnancy this Tuesday on Discovery Health.

13 Nov 2008

Prime Ministers and Presidents must be more open about their health status

Anyone who runs for Prime Minister or President should have an independent health examination to ensure their ability to govern, argues a doctor on bmj.com today.

12 Nov 2008

Overhaul of sperm donation services needed to increase supply

A radical overhaul of sperm donation services is needed to address the critical shortage of sperm donors in the UK, say two fertility experts in an editorial on bmj.com.

12 Nov 2008

Freshwater pollution costs U.S. at least $4.3 billion a year

Pollution by phosphorous and nitrogen isn't just bad for lakes, streams and other bodies of fresh water.

12 Nov 2008

Arsenic-free water provides hope to millions of people in South East Asia

A EU-India consortium led by Queen's University Belfast has led to the development of technology which could provide safe drinking water for over 70 million people in South East Asia. The joint collaboration has resulted in the world's first low-cost technology to provide arsenic-free water to people in India and surrounding countries.

12 Nov 2008