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 Fri, Mar 6 1992 Date: Fri, 6 Mar 92 05:54:04 EST Message-ID: 03-06 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 6-8, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network PAIN OFTEN NEEDLESSLY ENDURED: Doctors and nurses who don't take advantage of pain relief medications cause half of the 23 million people who have surgery every year to suffer pain needlessly, says a report released Thursday by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Safe and effective drugs and techniques are available for dealing with pain, says Ada Jacox of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. (For more, see special Pain package.) STATE CHILD-CARE SPENDING CITED: Massachusetts spent the most on child care and child development in 1990, and Idaho the least, according to a study from the Children's Defense Fund. Massachusetts spent $152.04 per child, compared to 24 cents per child in Idaho, reported the survey, which counted money states spend to help low-income families through programs similar to Head Start, which was not included. STUDY COMPARES STATE CHILD CARE: Eleven states spent 24 times as much money on prisons and corrections than on child care and child development programs in 1990, reports a study from the Children's Defense Fund. The study also found that eleven states spent over 100 times as much on higher education than on child care. States with the lowest spending were in the Midwest and West. STATE COURT TO HEAR CRACK CASE: The Florida Supreme Court Friday will hear the case of a woman convicted of dealing crack cocaine to a minor because she used the substance while pregnant. Nationwide, mothers in 19 sates have been charged with similar crimes. The Florida woman, whose case is the first to reach a state supreme court, is the only one to be convicted. HOSPITAL GRANTS PROPOSED: Federal grants would be provided to trauma-care centers treating undocumented immigrants under a measure sponsored by Rep. Ron Coleman, D-Texas, and Rep. Bill Lowery, R-Calif. The measure has been adopted as part of a bill from Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., that would provide grants to hospitals treating victims of drug and gang violence. ENCEPHALITIS WARNING ISSUED: Polk City, Fla., hospitals may soon see patients with symptoms of encephalitits, county health officials warn. An outbreak of the disease, which is marked by headaches and fever, is possible because of a breed of mosquito carrying the disease. The mosquitoes were found in a tire dump outside the city. ALCOHOL CONCERNS ADDRESSED: The Department of Health and Human Services would be authorized to make grants to combat Fetal Alcohol Syndrome among Native Americans under a measure before Congress. Nearly one in 99 American Indians are born with FAS, says Rep. Ben Lighthorse Campbell, D-Colo., sponsor of the measure, which would provide for community training, education and substance abuse programs. SCHOOL MAY OFFER AIDS TESTS: Lee County schools in Florida may become the first schools in the nation to offer tests for the AIDS virus. Under a proposal prepared by a committee of service groups, health officials and educators, voluntary tests would be available to seniors at school health fairs this spring. Outside health agencies would conduct the tests, which would not use public money. MOVIE PORTRAYAL OF MS MAY ALARM: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is hoping suffers of multiple sclerosis will not be alarmed by Sunday's CBS movie "In Sickness and In Health," about a character afflicted with multiple sclerosis who ends up in a nursing home. Many with MS can expect to lead active lives, the society says. To learn more, call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: 800-624-8236. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON PAIN: EXCESS PAIN SLOWS HEALING: Half of those having surgery yearly suffer needless pain, says a report reviewing the nation's pain control practices. Inadequate pain relief slows healing, raises the risk of pneumonia and makes for longer hospital stays, says Dr. Daniel Carr, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. The reports urges doctors and nurses to discuss pain management with patients prior to surgery. CHANGE IN SYSTEM RECOMMENDED: The report from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research also calls for doctors to prescribe round-the-clock pain relief for the first 36 hours following surgery or provide patient-administered drug pumps. Medication is currently prescribed when needed, which is often at times inconvenient for hospital staff. Patients also often believe they must stoically endure pain. PANEL ADDRESSES ADDICTION FEARS: Addressing fears about prescribing too much pain relief, the panel said that it's uncommon for people to become addicted to pain medication. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research plans a series of reports covering new practice guidelines such as the treatment of enlarged prostates, depression, cancer pain and lower back pain. (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