Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Tue, Aug 11 1992 Date: Tue, 11 Aug 92 04:32:26 EDT Message-ID: 08-11 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update August 11, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network HOUSE OKS MORE STUDY OF PILL: The House on Monday passed a bill requiring the federal government to do more to investigate and warn the public about the long-term health risks of an anti-miscarriage pill that was banned more than 20 years ago. About 10 million Americans are believed to have been exposed to DES - short for diethylstilbestrol. (For more, see special DES package below.) GENE DEFECT CAUSES SUDDEN DEATH: Studies of gene defects have brought researchers closer to estimating the risk of sudden death from one inherited heart disease.By studying two families with the disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, geneticists have found that different defects in the gene linked to the disease can cause higher risks. DEFECT CAN KILL HEALTHY PEOPLE: In Circulation, out Tuesday, researchers say that two families studied had similar heart exams, but different defects in the same gene. The family with the more dangerous defect suffered enlarged hearts younger and had a higher proportion of affected adults and sudden deaths. This type of heart enlargement is one of the most frequent causes of sudden cardiac death in young people. DRUG FEES ENDORSED: New prescription drugs could receive faster approval by the Food and Drug Administration, but companies would have to pay for it. That's what FDA Commissioner David Kessler told a House subcommittee Monday. Proposed legislation would require companies to pay the FDA $150,000 dollars for each drug application they submit, along with two lesser fees. STATES SUPPORT LIVING WILLS: Only four states have no provisions spelling out patients' health-care wishes if they are incapacitated. The number of states with living-will laws has increased steadily since the first one in 1976. The Annenberg Washington Program reports 40 states had living-will laws in 1986; 47 now have them. FREE DIET INFO FOR KIDS: The International Food Information Council and The American Dietetic Association is offering free advice to help kids eat well. To get a copy of "10 Tips to Healthy Eating for Kids," send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Kids Tips, PO Box 1144, Rockville, Maryland, 20850. RADAR GUNS PROBED: Police officers told Congress Monday they fear radar guns used to catch speeders may cause cancer, and they want federal health agencies to determine if the link exists. The Senate Environmental Affairs Subcommittee is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study radar guns and cancer. FLORIDA LIFTS BUNGEE BAN: Florida lifted its ban on bungee jumping Monday but imposed safety rules, including the requirement of an explicit warning with pictures of a rope breaking and a person sitting in a wheelchair. Jumps are also limited to 100 feet, and landing areas must be covered with an air bag. Also mandated: Inspection similar to amusement rides. SENATORS TO UNVEIL HEALTH BILL: U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Dave Durenberger R-Minn., will announce their bipartisan health care bill at an informal briefing Tuesday. The Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives Act will allow states to establish cooperatives that purchase and manage large blocks of insurance for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON DES: DES LINKED TO CANCER, INFERTILITY: DES was banned by the Food and Drug Administration in 1971 after being linked to vaginal cancer in the daughters of women who used the widely prescribed drug. Later research tied DES to high rates of breast cancer among mothers who took the drug. Their daughters also developed a wider array of health problems, including malformed reproductive tracts, infertility, cervical cancer and miscarriages. DES AFFLICTS MILLIONS: About 10 million Americans are believed to have been exposed to DES. Most DES health-related problems aren't apparent until 20 or 30 years after exposure, says Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y. Slaughter's bill requires the National Institutes of Health to expand DES research and authorizes spending $2 million over the next three years to increase public warnings about DES dangers. BUSH SUPPORTS DES BILL: Proposed funds will be spent on a new national education and outreach program that would include training health professionals on how to detect DES-related problems. The measure, which is supported by the Bush administration, is being moved in the Senate by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Floor action there is expected in the fall, Slaughter's office said Monday. (End of package.) Health Editor: Michele Coleman. (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