Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Mon, Feb 24 1992 Date: Mon, 24 Feb 92 06:25:44 EST Message-ID: DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update Feb. 24, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network SMOKERS' BONES HEAL SLOWER: Smokers' bones heal more slowly than non-smokers', Dr. George Cierny III, Emory University, told the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Washington this weekend. A three-year study of 29 adults with a bone-destroying infection found non-smokers' bones took 10 months to regenerate two inches, compared to 15 months for smokers'. Cited: Smoking reduces oxygen flow. SOME TERMS EXEMPT FROM RULES: Although the Food and Drug Administration defined terms such as "low-fat" and "light" as part of its food label proposals, "health" and other terms were not. The regulations are aimed at making labels more accessible to consumers. The undefined terms, says the FDA's Chris Lecos, are exempt if they appeared as part of a name before Oct. 25, 1989 and are "not false and misleading." FDA LABEL PROPOSALS CRITICIZED: The Food and Drug Administration's proposed food label regulations should include definitions of terms such as "healthy," critics charge. "Healthy" appears in more than 130 product names, says Philadelphia dietitian Joan Horbiak, who adds that some soups labeled "healthy" have more sodium than low-sodium soups. Companies maintain the accuracy of the word. NON-HODGKINS'S LYMPHOMA RISING: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will afflict 41,000 Americans this year, killing 19,400, according to the American Cancer Society. The ilnness occurs in part of the body's disease-fighting system. Fatalities have risen 53% for men and 59% for women over the last 30 years. Despite the rise, lymphoma - in all forms - is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among men and seventh among women. CHOLERA CASES CONFIRMED: California health officials have confirmed eight cases of cholera, including one fatality, among passengers aboard a flight that originated in Argentina earlier this month. As of Friday, 52 passengers and five crew members from the flight reported some form of gastrointestinal illness to officials. No previous cases in California have been linked to the epidemic in South America. RADIATION RELEASES REPORTED: Since opening in 1949, the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory has released radiation into the atmosphere at least 115 times, according to a government report out Monday. Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, will question energy officials Tuesday at a hearing about possible health risks posed by the plant to workers and nearby residents. VA DECISION APPLAUDED: The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Friday that it would abandon a pilot program that would have allowed non-veterans in areas where health care is scarce to use VA facilities. The decision to halt the Rural Health Care Initiative was applauded by veterans groups. This is "victory for veterans and for good public policy," American Legion officials said. CALIF. TO OFFER NORPLANT: Norplant, a new contraceptive implant, will be available to low-income women in California, state Health Director Molly Joel Coye, M.D., M.P.H., announced Friday. Using $5 million included in the current state budget, Norplant will be made available to clients of Medi-Cal and the Office of Family Planning. Women will be informed of Norplants' effectiveness, risks and advantages. HEPATITIS A CASES UP IN IND.: Indiana had an unusually high number of cases of hepatitis A during January, the state Health Department reports. During January, 48 cases were reported, compared to eight cases in January 1991 and 18 in January 1990. OHIO CONSIDERS HIV BILL: Ohio Health Department efforts to stop the spread of AIDS may be endangered by approximately 20,000 Ohio residents who may unknowingly be infected with HIV, an official says. Lack of AIDS awareness and the complex method for obtaining test consent were cited as reasons for the high numbers. The Legislature is considering a bill that would shorten the consent procedure. ALA. PARAMEDIC RULE CONSIDERED: A rule under consideration by the Alabama state licensing panel would allow paramedics to work in hospital emergency rooms. The state nurses association opposes the plan, claiming it is a cost-cutting measure. The lack of nurses in rural areas prompted the rule, hospitals say. MARCH OF DIMES PLANS WALK: The March of Dimes 22nd Annual WalkAmerica will be held nationwide April 25-26. The event will raise money to support the March of Dimes work to prevent birth defects and infant death. To participate, call 800-525-9255. Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. 08:0002240000D0224 INSU- R K Candidates-fumble-health-care......... A D0224 This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM