July 3rd, 2009, 6:00 am by Courtney Perkes
 In these unsettling economic times, new research from USC indicates that men take more risks when they’re stressed, which can result in more gambling, smoking, unsafe sex and drug use.
Women, however, become more cautious when feeling stressed and play it safe.
The study involved having participants inflate a balloon for 5 cents a pump. They could cash out at any time, but balloons would explode at random times, and all winnings would be lost. Men in the stress group inflated their balloons 30 percent more than the women in the stress group.
“Some risk taking was necessary to make gains, but excessive risk was associated with diminishing returns. If you always clicked and never cashed out, you would lose every time,” said Nichole Lighthall, lead author of the paper.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, men are more likely than women to smoke, drink, put off health check ups and engage in risky behavior. The Mayo Clinic reports that 25 percent of Americans say most of their stress comes from work.
Introducing addictive chemicals into the brain also increases risk taking, said Dr. Daniel Headrick, an addiction medicine specialist and CEO of Pacific Coast Recovery Center at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach.
“Your impulse control physiology in your brain changes and your judgment center changes,” Headrick said. “You start doing pretty crazy things. Once you start pumping a drug into your brain, it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman; you’re going to take a lot more risks.”
Headrick said stress relief measures including proper diet, exercise, sleep, prayer and meditation are important for everyone during times of stress or depression. He said when it comes to addiction, men are more likely to experiment with drugs, but both sexes have the same likelihood of developing addiction.
“It comes down to more of a genetic thing,” Headrick said.
Recent posts:
Posted in: Coping • Economy • Research • addiction • drinking • risky behavior • Smoking | 3 Comments »
July 2nd, 2009, 6:00 am by Courtney Perkes
 Adults living in 23 states grew fatter in the latest year and two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese.
That’s from a new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health on obesity rates.
For the fifth year in a row, Mississippi had the highest obesity rate of 32.5 percent of adults. Colorado had the lowest rate at 18.9 percent. California was ranked 41 with 23.6 percent adult obesity rate. But for childhood obesity rates, California ranked 28 with a rate of 30.5 percent.
In Orange County, 16.3 percent of children are overweight but another 13.7 percent are at risk of becoming overweight, according to the nonprofit Orange County Health Needs Assessment survey. Additionally, 10 percent of OC teens are estimated to be overweight. That’s in comparison to 12 percent of teens in San Diego, 9 percent of teens in San Francisco and 16 percent of teens in Los Angeles.
From that report: If we are to have any impact in preventing the physical decline of future generations it must start as early as possible; the expectation that we live healthy lives through good nutrition and physical activity must be woven throughout the fabric of our daily lives and reflected in our own lifestyle choices, at home, school and in the work place.
Why do you think Americans are getting fatter?
Related posts:
Posted in: obesity • obesity • state rankings | 6 Comments »
July 1st, 2009, 6:00 am by Courtney Perkes
 The federal government has released a list of 100 health priorities that should receive funding for research on what medical interventions work best. Several of the topics mentioned have generated some of the strongest opinions on this blog — how to prevent unwanted pregnancies and treating obesity in children.
The Institute of Medicine developed the list to direct how to spend $1.1 billion in stimulus funds studying what competing medical interventions work best.
Among the identified priorities, researchers recommend studying the following:
- School programs that work to reduce obesity through cafeteria meals, restrictions on vending machines and exercise programs.
- Novel approaches to preventing unwanted pregnancies (over the counter access to birth control pills or free contraception at pharmacies)
- Detecting drug-resistant staph infections or MRSA
- Treatments for prostate cancer
- Effectiveness of genetic testing for breast, ovarian, lung and other cancers
Here’s an excerpt from the report: Despite spending more on care than any other industrialized nation — $2.4 trillion in 2008 — the United States lags behind other countries on many measures of health, such as infant mortality and chronic disease burden. Comparative effectiveness research weighs the benefits and harms of various ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, or monitor clinical conditions to determine which work best for particular types of patients and in different settings and circumstances.
See these related blog posts:
Posted in: Research • Institute of Medicine • Research • stimulus | 2 Comments »
June 30th, 2009, 6:00 am by Jennifer Muir
  Traditional restaurants and cafes aren’t the only dining establishments inspected by the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Gas station convenience markets also are routinely inspected if they serve up hot coffee, fountain drinks and unpackaged snacks such as warm hot dogs.
In a review of health department closures during the past 60 days, three gas stations were cited for health violations. Here’s a look at what they were:
- La Palma Chevron, 7990 Valley View Street in Buena Park: Cited May 6 for unsanitary conditions, including grime and/or dust in the ice chute of the soda machine, the lid of the coffee urn and the area surrounding coffee nozzles. The next day, the health department revoked the gas station’s permit to sell non-packaged food because there was not sufficient hot water. The following day, on May 8, the problems were corrected and the gas station’s permits were reinstated.
- Joes Arco AM PM, 1000 W. Valencia Drive in Fullerton: Health inspectors on June 9 followed up on a consumer complaint about rat droppings near the soda machine and coffee area and found droppings throughout the facility, including near those machines, as well as above and below the ice machine. The department revoked the convenience store’s permit until the following day, when a reinspection found that the droppings had been removed.
- Seal Beach Chevron, 4000 Lampson Ave. in Seal Beach: Cited for operating without a valid permit on May 20. After a health inspection nine days later, the permit was reinstated.
Click here to find out what health inspectors look for.
Posted in: Food • Restaurant inspections • Food | 30 Comments »
June 29th, 2009, 6:00 am by Jennifer Muir
Twenty-five Orange County youth died from drowning from 2005 to 2007, according to an analysis of emergency room and hospital discharge data by the county’s Health Care Agency.
The report found that drowning continues to be the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 years old, both in California and Orange County, the report says. Health department analysts looked at data for children ages 0 to 17 collected by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. They found that a total of 204 youth in Orange County had been brought to the emergency room from 2005-2007 after being immersed under water.
Here’s a look at the rate of immersion incidents by city in California. Continue reading to find out more about the most common age and ethnicity of the victims, and where most of the drownings occur.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: County programs • drowning | 10 Comments »
June 26th, 2009, 6:00 am by Jennifer Muir
 Orange County ranks fifth among California’s 58 counties in cumulative AIDS cases reported through 2008, with 283 AIDS cases in 2008, according to the county’s Health Care Agency.
That’s an increase of 17 percent from 2007. The agency also estimates about 1,600 more are living with HIV and are not aware of it.
HCA released the data this week in conjunction with National HIV Testing Day, which is Saturday. The day serves as a reminder about where residents can find free and low-cost testing in Orange County. Test results can remain confidential or anonymous.
Here’s where to get tested:
- Orange County Health Care Agency: 17th Street Clinic, (714) 834-8787: walk-ins only - Mon., Wed., and Thurs. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tue. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and REACH mobile testing throughout the County, (866) 337-3224.
- The Center Orange County: (714) 534-0862: call for times and locations.
- AIDS Services Foundation: (949) 809-8775: walk-ins only - Tue., Wed., and Thurs. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Laguna Beach Community Clinic: Tue., Wed., Thurs., and Sat. - call for hours, (949) 494-0761 (there is a charge for services, call for details).
- For more testing sites and information call the AIDS Hotline at (800) 367-2437 or go online: www.AIDShotline.org
Here’s more from the HCA’s release:
HIV testing is a routine part of general healthcare and is a critical step in reducing HIV infections. Knowing your HIV status empowers you to help prevent the spread of the disease. “Once you know your status you can take steps to protect your health, the health of your partners, and the health of your community” said Martin Salas, Co-Chair of the HIV Prevention Planning Committee.
Make a difference today! Get tested for HIV; tell a friend to get tested for HIV; and consider joining the HIV Prevention Planning Committee to make your voice heard! For more information on the Prevention Planning Committee or HIV services in Orange County, contact the Health Care Agency at (714) 834-8711. Make HIV testing a part of your routine healthcare, Take the Test, Take Control!
 Updated at 3:15 p.m. to reflect that National HIV Testing day is Saturday, not today.
Posted in: County programs | 3 Comments »
June 25th, 2009, 6:00 am by Jennifer Muir
 The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat Kowalke Organics alfalfa sprouts after a sample of the product tested positive for salmonella.
The sprouts were being sold primarily in grocery stores across Southern California, including Gelson’s and Whole Foods.
Mike’s Produce, Inc., which is doing business as Kowalke Family Sprouts of Culver City, is voluntarily recalling the following products with sell-by dates from June 18 to June 30.
- Kowalke Organics Alfalfa Sprouts - 4 oz., 8 oz., 1 pound and 5 pound packages.
- Kowalke Organics Dinner Salad - 6 oz. package
- Kowalke Organics Onion Mix - 4 oz. package
Here’s more from the state health department’s press release:
“No illnesses have been reported from these products to date.
“Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Consumers who have eaten this product and are experiencing the above symptoms should consult their health care provider.
“CDPH continues to advise consumers about the risk of consuming raw sprouts. Sprouts have been linked to previous foodborne outbreaks. Conditions required for sprout growing are ideal for rapid bacterial growth. Additionally, green leaf sprouts, such as alfalfa sprouts, are usually eaten raw with no additional treatment, such as cooking to eliminate bacteria that can cause disease. Consumers who wish to reduce their risk of foodborne illness may want to consider avoiding sprouts.
“Consumers who purchased these products should immediately discard them or return them to the point of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Kowalke Family Sprouts at (310) 636-1924.”
Posted in: Warnings • recall • sprouts | Post a Comment »
|
|
