Health Care

A survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed Thursday that nearly a quarter of Americans participated in binge drinking in the past month. The survey also indicates that 8.4 percent have used an illegal drug over the last thirty days.

The survey indicates that 8.8 percent of Americans aged 12-17 binge drink, and that 6.4 percent of Americans of all ages have used marijuana in the past month.

The SAMHSA survey found that Vermont had the highest number of reported underage drinking in the past month, with 36.6 percent of people aged 12-20. Utah reported the lowest amount of under-aged drinking, with 14.2 percent. more >>

Survey findings presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Paris on Wednesday showed that Alzheimer’s is the second-most feared disease after cancer.

The telephone survey consisted of 2,678 adults aged 18 and older across the United States and Europe and was conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and Alzheimer Europe.

Participants were asked to identify the sickness they had the most concern for out of a list of several diseases including cancer, heart disease and stroke. more >>

A charitable organization in Britain has caused a stir after it announced last week that it would be holding a contest in which winners are provided with thousands of dollars' worth of fertility treatment.

To Hatch, a charity started in 2010 that offers advice to those affected by infertility, will be selling tickets starting July 30.

In several draws to be held, winners will be awarded more than $40,000 in fertility treatments. more >>

New research from the Harvard School of Public Health indicates that second-hand smoke exposure in children aged 11 and younger can increase the probability of developing mental and behavioral disorders by as much as 50 percent.

The research suggests that children exposed to second-hand smoke were twice as likely to develop defects including learning disabilities and ADD or ADHD than children who lived in smoke-free homes.

Data produced by a 2007 national health survey examined the responses of more than 55,000 legal guardians who smoked and lived in households with children aged 11 and under. more >>

A new study published on July 4th in the Archives of General Psychiatry stated that environmental factors, such as the type of medications women take when they are pregnant, can attribute to autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Scientists still do not have all the definitive answers on everything that causes autism, but new reports show that the disorder can start in a mother’s womb.

This study depicted that mothers who took antidepressants particularly during the first three months of pregnancy had a much higher chance to give birth to an autistic child (6.7 percent). more >>

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Health Minister of India, has today rebuked suggestions that he said homosexuality was a disease. Azad claims he was misquoted by media after reports emerged suggesting that he had said being gay was a disease.

Among Azad’s minced words were statements in Hindu about “men who have sex with men” and the word “unnatural”.

Azad has tried to clear up his blunders by claiming he was referring to HIV as a disease, not homosexuality. The topic of HIV in Azad’s speech came about as he addressed the issue of free trade negotiations that could prevent India from producing affordable generic drugs. more >>