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, May 7 1992 Date: Thu, 7 May 92 05:31:39 EDT Message-ID: 05-07 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update May 7, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network YOUNG LEFTIES INJURED MORE: Left-handed kids are 1.7 times more likely than right-handed kids to be accidentally injured and need emergency care, a study says. Dr. Charles Graham, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, presented the findings Wednesday at a Ambulatory Pediatric Association meeting in Baltimore. The study of 761 kids showed that accidental injuries were twice as common among male lefties. LEFTIES SEEN AS CLUMSY: Parents are more likely to view their left-handed children as clumsy, a study reveals. Lefties were also more likely to have been previously hospitalized for accidental injuries than right-handed kids, says Dr. Charles Graham, University of Arkansas, Little Rock. The cause is uncertain, says Graham, but it may involve the brain's wiring or the way society is designed for right-handers. BIRTH CONTROL ADDED TO GUIDE: The Bush administration drew criticism last month when it deleted a chapter on birth control from the best-selling guide "Taking Care of Your Child" before sending it to 275,000 federal employees. Office of Personnel Management officials have agreed to allow it to be sent out, under a separate cover, Marilyn Quintal of the health program said Wednesday. NEW PILL INSTRUCTIONS WANTED: The Food and Drug Administration is asking the makers of birth control pills to simplify and standardize written instructions to eliminate some of the 250,000 pregnancies linked to misuse each year. Instructions vary from brand to brand, and doctors often fail to give advice, say experts. The new instruction should be simpler and have guidelines on what to do about missed pills, say the FDA. LIPS NEED CANCER PROTECTION: Lips with sunscreen may be protected from skin cancer, says the non-profit organization The Skin Cancer Foundation. The most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, occur most commonly on the lower lip. Early signs include dry, burning and consistently rough lips. The foundation recommends factor 15 sunscreen designed for the lips. NEW ALLERGY NETWORK TO START: A new national pollen and mold counting network beginning next month should be more useful to the 15% to 20% of Americans bothered by seasonal pollens and molds, experts say. The system, developed by the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, will include counts reported to newspapers, TV and radio stations, using a standardized system of numbers for pollen and mold levels. CANCER REDUCTION TIPS OFFERED: A daily diet with 30% or less of calories from fat will lower the risk of developing cancer, says the National Cancer Institute. The institute also recommends eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, increasing fiber consumption, although no more than 35 grams daily. Other recommendations: Drink alcohol in moderation, avoid obesity and minimize grilled or charred foods. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD EXERCISE: Pregnant women should exercise three times a week with their doctors' approval, says the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The guidelines advise women to limit strenuous exercise to 15 minutes, avoiding hot, humid conditions and bouncing motions. Pulse rates should be kept under 140 beats per minutes. Any more may pose risks to the fetus, experts suspect. AHA OFFERS WALKING TIPS: To walk for exercise, the American Heart Association advises a brisk walk, three times weekly, going 30 to 60 minutes each times. consistent walking burns calories and fat, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and helps control weight. A 200-pound person waking briskly each day for one and a half miles will lose nearly 14 pounds a year, without diet changes, says the association. STUDY SHOWS INFLUENCE OF AIDS: To reduce the risk of AIDS, 16% of sexually active, single, divorced or widowed women became monogamous during the late 1980s, a study says. The study, by the National Center for Health Statistics, used 1988 interviews with 8,450 women ages 15 to 44 years. Nearly 11% restricted sex to men they knew well, while 9% had sex less frequently. Approximately 5% stopped having sex. BLOOD PRESSURE AWARENESS DROPS: The number of people knowing their blood pressure fell by 5% between 1989 and 1990, reports a recent Gallop poll. Of those who knew they suffered from hypertension, only 11% were under a doctor's care. A recent Harris survey showed the number of people having regular blood pressure check ups fell by 3% since 1985. Other health concerns have taken the spotlight, experts say. HEART DISEASE HITS WOMEN ALSO: Coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease, is the leading cause of death of American women, claiming 247,000 lives yearly, says the American Heart Association. By contrast, 90,000 women die of strokes, 41,600 of lung cancer and 40,500 of breast cancer. One in nine women aged 45-65 has some form of cardiovascular disease. The level rises to one in three over 65. 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