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 Wed, Jun 10 1992 Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 05:20:05 EDT Message-ID: 06-10 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update June 10, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network AMA TO TAKE ON MURDER: The American Medical Association wants to attack murder as a public health problem, not just a crime. The AMA plans to launch an attack against violence similar to its campaigns against smoking and auto accidents. "Murders will continue to increase until we start treating it like a health problem," says George Lundberg, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (For more, see special Murder package below.) COCAINE DAMAGE NOT PERMANENT: Some brain damage caused by cocaine, which was thought to be permanent, is at least partly reversible, suggests a new study by Dr. B. Leonard Holman of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Cocaine reduces blood flow to the brain. Studies of 10 addicts showed that after a period of abstinence, some blood flow in the brain returned. GEHRIG'S DISEASE PROGRESS MADE: A brain chemical that can kill motor neurons, which control voluntary muscles, may be the culprit that debilitates patients with lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig's disease. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions believe the chemical, an amino acid called glutamate, normally carries messages between brain cells but can be deadly in greater concentrations. EGGS COMMON CAUSE OF SALMONELLA: Salmonella linked to tainted raw eggs has become the most commonly reported type of salmonella in the USA, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. State health departments reported 66 outbreaks around the country in 1991, underscoring the necessity to adequately cook eggs. Symptoms, include diarrhea, fever and vomiting. PET OWNERS ARE IN BETTER HEALTH: Researchers have found that pet owners are usually in better health. Blood pressure and heart rate drop in the presence of a friendly dog. Pet owners tend to visit the doctor less often, even those with a great deal of stress. Having a pet is better than having a family member or close friend around for support after major surgery, research shows. HUGS HELP KIDS SUCCEED: The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology conducted a 36-year study which found that children who receive hugs and physical attention have a greater chance at succeeding in friendships, marriages and careers. Only 30% of children with unaffectionate parents did well socially, while 70% with affectionate parents succeeded in relationships. HOLLAND PUSHED ON HEALTH CARE: New York Senator Joseph Holland, R-New City, received a warning Tuesday from about 125 Rockland County residents about his stand on health care. They warned of election-year retribution if he does not support a bill to establish universal health insurance in the state. "If you don't take care of us, we'll take care of you in November," one resident yelled at Holland. POSITION ON BILL QUESTIONED: Residents of New York's Rockland County Tuesday demanded to know the position of state Sen. Joseph Holland, R-New City, on a bill establishing universal health-care in the state. Holland delayed for a few minutes before saying that he supported the idea, but not the bill. Holland argued that the bill would take money out of the Medicaid program but would not cover long-term care. S. DAKOTA HOSPITALS MAY CLOSE: Eight rural hospitals in South Dakota - located in Britton, Burke, Clear Lake, De Smet, Faulkton, Gettysburg, Hoven and Lemmon -are in danger of closing within the next five years, according to a study by the state Health Department. The reason for most of the closures would be because of finances. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON MURDER: MURDER IS 10TH LEADING KILLER: The Amercian Medical Association plans to treat murder as a public health problem. Murder is the USA's 10th leading killer. It is the leading cause of death among black teen-agers. "If this were due to a virus, the American people and its leaders would be shouting for a cure," says former surgeon general C. Everett Koop. AMA RUNS ARTICLES ON VIOLENCE: The AMA opened its attack on murder by publishing 69 articles on violence in its 10 journals. Many of them focused on young black males, who are more likely to be murdered than die in a car crash. The studies "paint a grotesque picture of a society steeped in violence, especially by firearms," says George Lundberg, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. GUN CONTROL IS URGED: Researchers proposed various solutions to reduce the violence. Koop and Lundberg urged that all gun owners be licensed. "It's the first step toward turning the epidemic around," says Lundberg. Adds Koop: "Whether it happens depends on the political will in the country and the guts of some people to stand up and be counted." STRAIN IS PUT ON HOSPITALS: Violence is putting a great strain on hospitals. Dr. Claude Organ Jr., editor of the AMA's Archives of Surgery and chief surgeon at an inner-city hospital in Oakland, says more money must be spent on inner city trauma care units. "We spend untold amounts on defense but, when it comes to inner-city problems, we're told we must be cost effective." (End of package.) Health Editor: Ed Kelleher. (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