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Sep 10, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- SURVEY SAYS AMERICA'S STRESSED
In a nationwide survey, 36 percent of Americans admit stress is a problem in their lives. The survey also shows 16 percent of U.S. residents have contemplated suicide, and 13 percent use mood-enhancing drugs. For 5 percent, stress is such a problem, they say they do not know how to cope. Nearly half of those surveyed -- 45 percent -- say they live in a household where anger or overwrought emotions are a problem. Younger people appear worse off than older ones, with 11 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds saying they cannot manage their stress and 21 percent admitting to having thought about killing themselves. On the positive side, despite the war in Iraq and poor economy at home, 80 percent of Americans say they often feel calm, serene or peaceful, and 88 percent of those surveyed said they were happy on the day of the interview. The telephone survey of 1,015 adults was conducted Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 by Sedona Training Associates in Sedona, Ariz., and Opinion Research Corp. International of Princeton, N.J.
PROCEDURE FAILS TO PREVENT PRETERM BIRTH
Doctors say a procedure to stitch close the cervix is not effective in preventing preterm delivery or miscarriage. The study, published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, analyzed 2,175 women at moderate risk of preterm birth or second-trimester pregnancy loss. One in eight of all births in the United States is premature, or less than 37 weeks gestation. Premature births are a leading cause of newborn death. The researchers found the procedure, called cervical cerclage, did not significantly reduce a pregnant woman's risk of preterm delivery or miscarriage.
EXPERTS RECOMMEND WORKING OUT AT WORK
A Purdue University fitness expert says if Americans want to shape up, a good place to start is in the workplace. The advice comes from Roger Seehafer, a health and kinesiology professor who works with companies to implement programs such as exercise and fitness, nutrition, weight management, smoking cessation and stress management. Studies show promoting wellness and disease prevention in work settings can increase employee well-being and provide companies a return on their investment, he says. Seehafer, a member of the Purdue Gerontology Program and the Living Well After 50 Coalition, says companies can average a $3 return for every dollar spent on wellness programs by keeping employees healthy and on the job.
ANTI-DEMENTIA DRUG, VITAMIN E SLOW ALZHEIMER'S
A study suggests taking vitamin E and donepezil, a drug used to treat mild to moderate dementia, may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Ohio State University found after one year of treatment, patients with Alzheimer's improved their performance on tests of cognitive ability more than did those who did not receive the treatment. "There were notable cognitive differences even after three years of combined therapy," said David Beversdorf, assistant professor of neurology. "It slowed down the cognitive decline that characterizes the disease."
(Editors: For more information about STRESS, call 928-282-3522. For BIRTH, Alice Kirkman at 202-484-3321 or communications@acog.org. For WORK, Roger Seehafer at 765-494-3159 or seehafer@purdue.edu. For ALZHEIMERS, David Beversdorf at 614-293-8531 or Beversdorf-1@medctr.osu.edu)
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
