Health Notes:
| Printable version | | |
A look at the latest medical studies and trends
Seniors with depression develop internal fat
A new study found older people who are depressed are more likely to develop fat that collects around internal organs, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease. The connection goes beyond obesity and suggests some biological link between a person's mental state and fat that collects around the internal organs, scientists said. The study's authors say this is just another reason for people to seek treatment for depression and take their symptoms seriously.
Measles deaths drop worldwide
The World Health Organizations and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported measles deaths worldwide declined dramatically to about 200,000 a year. From 2000-2007, annual measles deaths dropped 74%, largely because of vaccination campaigns. Measles has long been a leading cause of death of young children globally and still kills more than 500 a day. But health officials estimate 11 million deaths were avoided in the decline.
Cancer rates down, lung cancer still high
New cancer diagnoses and death rates for U.S. men and women have fallen for the first time, according to a new report from leading cancer and medical research organizations. Lung, colorectal and prostate cancers incidence and mortality fell for men and breast and colorectal cancers incidence and mortality fell for women. Overall incidence rates for all cancers dropped 0.8% per year from 1999-2005 for men and women combined. However, lung cancer incidence and mortality increased in 18 states, most in the Midwest or South. Some individual cancers showed increases in death rates across the country from 1996 to 2005, including esophageal cancer in men, pancreatic cancer for women and liver cancer for both sexes.