MARIJUANA COULD CAUSE TUBAL PREGNANCIES
Marijuana use may increase the risk of ectopic or tubal pregnancies, finds researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. The researchers studied CB1, a "cannabinoid" receptor that binds the main active chemical for marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC. The study, published in Nature Medicine, says it is not known whether drugs that block or, in the case of marijuana, over-stimulate the CB1 receptor can cause ectopic pregnancy in humans. However, "our results raise caution for women of reproductive ages regarding the chronic use of marijuana for recreation or pain alleviation," the researchers conclude.
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN ASSISTED LIVING
The first large study of the mental health of U.S. residents in assisted living has found a higher rate than expected of mental health problems. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, reports two thirds of 2100 assisted living residents studied exhibited mental health problem indicators. Half suffered from dementia and a quarter exhibited indicators of depression. "These findings -- the rate of mental health problems in the assisted living population is as high as the rate of mental health problems in nursing home patients, is rather surprising," says study co-author Dr. Malaz Boustani, of the Indiana University School of Medicine.
ALL CHILDREN NEED VISION TESTS
Dr. Pamela F. Gallin, a pediatrician with the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian recommends a yearly vision test for children. The author of "The Savvy Mom's Guide to Medical Care" says it is important for children to have an annual vision screening because young children often do not know if they can't see adequately. If a child wears glasses, Gallin says, the prescription should be current. For children who wear glasses, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends one-piece wrap-around polycarbonate sports frames for all contact sports, including soccer, field hockey and basketball. Galin says that all children wearing glasses need sports frames for gym.
GUN DEATH SAME IN SMALL TOWNS, CITIES
U.S. residents who live in small towns are statistically as likely to die from gunfire as people in major cities, a University of Pennsylvania study finds. "The difference is who does the shooting," says lead author Charles C. Branas, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Branas finds the risk of being murdered with a gun in large cities and the risk of committing suicide with a gun in rural areas were almost identical. After adjusting for income, education, employment rates, and other factors, the most rural counties had over 1.5 times the rate of gun suicides compared to the most urban counties. However, at the same time, urban areas experienced almost twice the gun homicide rate of the most rural counties, says the study in the American Journal of Public Health.
(EDITORS: For more information on MARIJUANA, contact Clinton Colmenares at (615) 322-4747 or [email protected]. For MENTAL HEALTH, Cindy Fox Aisen at (317) 274-7722 at [email protected]. For VISION, Jan Sileo at (212) 821-0560 or [email protected]. FOR GUNFIRE, Karen Kreeger at (215) 349-5658 or [email protected])
