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, Apr 2 1992 Date: Thu, 2 Apr 92 05:44:59 EST Message-ID: 04-02 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update April 2, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network GENITAL HERPES TESTING URGED: One in 10 pregnant women in a new study were at risk of contracting genital herpes from their husbands, but half of those were unaware of the risk, reports Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers recommend testing for couples early in pregnancy. No test is now widely available for genital herpes, which can cause brain damage and seizures in infected babies. FDA CHIEF ADDRESSES CRITICISM: Congressional investigators Wednesday asked Food and Drug Administration chief David Kessler to respond to criticism that the agency moves too slowly. Investigators cited a 20-year-old FDA review of every over-the-counter drug that is only half complete. Kessler said the review has already eliminated hundreds of ineffective ingredients and should be 90% done by 1994's end. EXPERTS DISCUSS WEIGHT LOSS: The keys to losing weight and keeping it off are a healthy diet and exercise, says a panel of experts that met this week at the National Institutes of Health. "The bottom line is lifestyle," says John Foreyt, director of the Nutrition Research Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. For many this is a lifelong challenge, says Dr. Suzanne W. Fletcher, conference chairman. CHANGE LIFESTYLE, ACCEPT WEIGHT: Evidence shows even a little weight loss has "enormous health consequences," says Dr. Suzanne W. Fletcher, chairman of a weight loss conference at the National Institutes of Health. However, society should lessen its emphasis on ideal weight, says Fletcher. Most experts at the conference agreed people should eat a low fat diet, increase physical activity, then accept their weight. CANCER RECURRENCE ASSESSED: The recurrence risk of breast cancer may be twice as high for women who have tumors removed during the first half of a menstrual cycle, compared to the second half, suggests research presented to an American Cancer Society seminar at St. Petersburg, Fla. Another study suggest that the recurrence risk is increased 60% for women who are 25% over ideal weight at the time of cancer diagnosis. COMMITTEE SETS GOALS FOR IHS: A Senate committee Wednesday charged the Indian Health Service with the goal of lowering death and disease rates for Native Americans in 50 categories by the year 200. Death rates from alcoholism for Native Americans are seven times the national average. Tuberculosis death rates are nearly five times the national average. CHILD ABUSE ACT INTRODUCED: Legislation funding a national network of local child abuse treatment centers was introduced in Congress Wednesday. The National Children's Advocacy Act of 1992, coming at the outset of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, would authorize $10 million yearly for five years to train workers at regionally based centers. WEIGHT LINKED TO ARTHRITIS RISK: Those overweight and middle-aged or older should lose weight to prevent knee osteoarthritis, new research suggests. The study, appearing in the April 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that women who lost 11 pounds over a 10 year period cut the risk by more than half. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, afflicts nearly 15.8 million Americans after age 45. POT'S POPULARITY WANES: Marijuana doesn't have the appeal it used to, says The National Institute on Drug Abuse. Only 51% of people ages 18 to 25 admitted to using marijuana in 1991, down from 56% in 1988. In 1982, 64% said they had used the drug; In 1977, 60% ROSE-COLORED REALITY: People with normal vision can have a different building block in a certain gene that makes them see the color red with subtle differences, reports Thursday's Nature. British researchers say this distinction is direct genetic evidence for normal variation in sense perception, placing "people in (different) worlds." Also being checked out - if women can see hues that men cannot. RED NOSE DAY IS FRIDAY: Friday is Red Nose Day USA, marked nationwide to raise funds to fight Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. For the event, sponsored by TNT Freightways, United Video and Kiwanis International, people will wear red noses to raise awareness and concern. To obtain more information, call 800-221-7437. PRUNES USED IN SHORTENING: Americans are increasingly aware that they derive too many of their calories from fat - 38% instead of the recommended 30% or less - and snack-food makers are intensely interested in natural and synthetic fat substitutes. Such as prune puree, which manufacturers suggest as a shortening substitute. "It's the search for the oily grail," says industry consultant Martin Glicksman. 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