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, Apr 6 1992 Date: Mon, 6 Apr 92 05:43:33 EDT Message-ID: 04-06 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update April 6, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network MORE GRADS CHOSE PRIMARY CARE: More medical graduates are choosing primary care over specialties, according to 1992 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Primary care was chosen by 58% of new doctors, reversing a 10-year trend. In 1989, only 26.3% of graduates entered primary care. Experts say 50% is desirable to control medical costs through more early care. DOCTORS WANT `TO BE OF SERVICE': More new doctors are choosing primary care over specialties "to be of service," says Dr. Jordan Cohen, State University of New York at Stony Brook. Primary care includes family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. This year, 9,444 of the 16,263 graduates chose primary care. Family practice was the choice of 1,678; pediatrics, 1,695."There is ground to make up," say Cohen. STUDY CITES EFFECTS OF DRUGS: Drugs and alcohol are partly responsible for the increase in the number of children entering the child welfare system, concludes a new study. The study, sponsored by the Child Welfare League, found that half of the 60% increase was due to drug and alcohol-related problems, such as being born to an abuser, being abused by an alcoholic parent or drug use among children. VITAMIN RESEARCH SPURS DEBATE: The National Nutritional Foods Association is encouraging people to heed the findings presented in an article in the April 6 issue of Time magazine. The article, entitled "The Real Power of Vitamins," cites research showing that vitamins may aid in cancer and heart disease prevention. The NNFA hopes the findings will spur Congress to modify restrictions on nutrient claims. MICH. BATTLE ENDANGERS PROGRAMS: Until the resolution of other budget matters, Michigan legislators have refused to approve the spending of federal funds for indigent health care. The failure to resolve the issue before a legislative recess has drawn criticism from many hospitals and clinics, which are temporarily maintaining the programs at a cost of $100,000 daily. TREATMENT FOR DMD STUDIED: Injections of health muscle cells may prove an effective treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic defect marked by insufficient muscle protein. A study, reported in the April 2 issue of Nature, found that three of eight patients produced needed protein after one month of therapy. Researchers stress that more study is needed and a treatment may still be several years away. SHOW HELPS PARENTS DISCUSS SEX: An upcoming episode of the public television's "3-2-1 Contact" is aimed at parents who need help discussing sexuality with their kids. The show will air Wednesday, May 13. Its producers, the Children's Television Workshop, are offering a parent's guide for $2.25, in English and Spanish. Call 1-900-407-2000 or send a check or money order to Parents' Guide, Box 40, Vernon, N.J. 07462. DEVICE MAY HELP DEAF CHILDREN: A device that turns sounds into digital signals and sends them to nerves in the ear may aid deaf children learning to speak. The American Journal of Otology reports that, compared to hearing or tactile aids, the implants improved comprehension significantly and speech slightly. Most deaf children can learn to talk, but because of a lack of skilled teaching only 10% in the USA do. CITY TO REQUIRE ALCOHOL WARNING: Washington, D.C., bars and liquor stores will soon have to post signs warning pregnant women of the risks involved in drinking alcohol. The signs are scheduled to be installed by May in each of city's 1,365 establishments that sell alcohol. INDIANA TO INVESTIGATE HOSPITAL: Indiana plans to hold a series of public hearings on an internal report that criticizes the staff at Central State Hospital. In the past 11 months, three patients have died, most recently Linda Heine, who, according to the report, died in a bath tub while employees were either sleeping or playing cards. No dates were set. 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