Tag Archives: public-health

Artificial light, Biological clock disruptions, increase breast cancer risk, study finds — ScienceDaily

“Exposure to artificial light leads to a significantly higher risk for developing breast cancer,” said Chunla He, a biostatistics graduate student in the UGA College of Public Health. “To decrease the use of artificial light, people should avoid working at night and implement earlier bed times.” Her research, published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, examined key studies that included risk factors for developing breast cancer. “A large body of related research about circadian rhythms and breast cancer exists,” He said. “However, these studies are inconsistent and have a variety of limitations.” Under the mentorship of Sara Wagner Robb, assistant professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, He turned to previous studies to see what the research revealed. …

Incomplete HPV vaccination may offer some protection

Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health and School of Medicine conducted a cross-sectional study of 235 women age 21 to 30 undergoing routine cervical cytology testing. HPV status and demographic and behavioral characteristics were self-reported and verified with electronic medical records. “Although data clearly indicate better immune responses and vaccine efficacy against both genital warts and cervical dysplasia when vaccination occurs before age 14, this study suggests that HPV vaccination may be effective in reducing abnormal Pap test results even after sexual debut,” explained co-author Rebecca Perkins, MD, MSc, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine and a gynecologist at Boston Medical Center. At the time of the study, 41 percent had received at least one HPV vaccination; 97 percent of women were vaccinated after sexual debut. …

Mysterious respiratory illness kills 2, leaves 5 others hospitalized in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – & A mysterious respiratory illness has left five people hospitalized and two dead in southeast Alabama, state health officials said Tuesday. Seven people have been admitted to hospitals with a fever, cough and shortness of breath in recent weeks, Alabama Department of Public Health spokeswoman Mary McIntyre said in a statement. Two of the seven have died. The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control Respiratory Laboratory are analyzing lab tests from all seven patients. McIntyre says officials hope to have preliminary results on the samples back by Wednesday or Thursday morning. The illness was first reported late last week and the last of the seven patients was hospitalized Monday, McIntyre said. It wasn't immediately clear which municipalities the illnesses were concentrated in. “We're only aware of the Southeast, but we don't know -- we haven't received reports from anywhere else,” McIntyre said. “That's why we're trying to get the information out.” McIntyre said it's unclear what's causing the illness but some of the seven patients also had the flu. Authorities are urging hospital staff to wear masks when caring for patients who appear to be suffering from respiratory illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control referred all questions to Alabama health officials.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/mysterious-illness-kills-2-in-southeast-alabama/