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 Thu, Mar 12 1992 Date: Thu, 12 Mar 92 05:46:03 EST Message-ID: 03-12 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 12, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network BLOOD-TESTING WARNING ISSUED: Devices used to draw blood to test for such diseases as hepatitis B may actually spread the virus if used improperly, suggests a study in New England Journal of Medicine. Failing to change the disposable platform on the devices led to a recent hepatitis outbreak in California. Likewise, nondisposable devices can transmit disease if not properly disinfected. STROKES HIT BLACKS HARDER: Young and middle-aged blacks are much more likely than whites to suffer certain kinds of dangerous strokes, reports a study in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. A subarachnoid hemorrhage, often fatal, involves a ruptured blood vessel on the brain's surface. It occurs among blacks at a rate of 12 per 100,000 people, compared to 6 per 100,000 for whites. (For more, see special Stroke package.) PROTEINS MAY AID TRANSPLANTS: Proteins that help fish adjust to water temperature may extend the time during which human organs can be transplanted, according to Boris Rubinsky, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Current methods allow up to eight hours for a transplant to take place. With the proteins, up to 24 hours is possible. TB CONFERENCE TO BE HELD: Strategies for fighting new, drug resistant strains of tuberculosis will be discussed at an intensive one-day conference sponsored by the American Lung Association of Michigan and Michigan Department of Public Health. The conference will be held Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the Ann Arbor Hilton beginning at 8 a.m. OFFICIAL PLEDGES FOOD SAFETY: The recently appointed head of the Food Safety and Inspection Service, Russell Cross, pledged Wednesday to revive the agency's credibility. The agency has been accused of lax regulation in the poultry and meat industry. Speaking to members of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Cross said that the elimination of bacterial contamination will be a high priority. MORE FOOD REGULATION URGED: More federal regulation is needed for genetically engineered food products, said Andrew Kimbrell, an attorney and policy director for the Foundation on Economic Trends. Kimbrell, speaking to members of the American Veterinary Medical Association Wednesday, cited the diet supplement, L-tryptophan, which studies have shown killed nearly 30 people. It has since been recalled. TATTOOS SHOULD BE IGNORED: Chest tattoos instructing emergency physicians not to resuscitate patients should be ignored, suggests an article in Thursday's issue of The Western Journal of Medicine. The tattoos are too amibiguous and can compromise the integrity of emergency personnel, says Kenneth V. Iserson, M.D., M.B.A. of the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. S.D. COMPENSATION BILL SIGNED: South Dakota Gov. George Mickelson signed a bill Wednesday that allows for a cut in premiums for small companies having no workers' compensation claims for three years. Under the law, the state will be able to review workers' compensation medical bills to determine if the claims are excessive. LOW-FAT HOT DOG INTRODUCED: Carrageenan, a seaweed-like substance, will be used in a new low-fat hot dog from Vienna Sausage Manufacturing Co. Deli-Lite, which will be introduced in May, uses carrageenan to bind beef, water and flavorings. Low-fat hot dogs claimed 30% of sales last year. Hormel's Light & Lean, ConAgra's Healthy Choice, and Oscar Meyer's low fat hot dog are among low-fat products currently on the market. KIDS' COOKBOOK OFFERED: To encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables, "Fun With Fruits & Vegetables: KidsCookbook," is available free from Dole. Write: P.O. Box 7101, Dept. KCBK, San Francisco, Calif. 94120-7107. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON STROKE: STROKE DISPARITY FOUND: Blacks under age 75 are twice as likely as whites to suffer an intracerebral hemorrhage, a burst blood vessel within the brain. This and ruptured vessels on the brain's surface account for nearly half of all deaths within 30 days from strokes. Research has shown that blacks are more prone than whites to death or disability from strokes and are one-third more likely to have high blood pressure. FURTHER STUDIES TO BE DONE: The study, conducted by Dr. Joseph P. Broderick, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, reviewed 1988 records of all Cincinnati-area patients who suffered strokes. The findings suggest further evidence for a racial disparity in high blood pressure and strokes - something to be further studied, says Broderick. A third of the nearly 500,000 strokes suffered annualy are fatal. (End of package.) Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. 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