Medical Management News

Current Flu Vaccine Outdated, Study Finds

A study conducted at the University of Minnesota indicates that the most widely used flu vaccine in the United States is only 59 percent effective in healthy adults. According to researchers, there is an immediate necessity for a new generation of flu shots to avoid a possible pandemic. For details, visit:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/26/world-needs-to-update-its-flu-vaccines-study-says/

Are Vitamin Benefits for Real?

Recently published studies indicate that dietary supplements and vitamins may not provide health benefits, as many originally thought. In fact, the data indicates that taking vitamins is actually a financial waste for individuals who do not have a specific deficiency or reoccurring illness. For more information, go to:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204644504576650980601014152.html

U.S. Lung Cancer Rates Decline

A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the rates of new lung cancer cases in the U.S. dropped among men in 35 states and among women in 6 states between 1999 and 2008. Among women, lung cancer incidence decreased nationwide between 2006 and 2008, after increasing steadily for decades.

The decrease in lung cancer cases corresponds closely with smoking patterns across the nation, according to a CDC press statement. In the West, where smoking prevalence is lower among men and women than in other regions, lung cancer incidence is decreasing faster. Studies show declines in lung cancer rates can be seen as soon as five years after smoking rates decline.

The CDC’s report’s bottom line message: “States that make greater investments in effective tobacco control strategies see larger reductions in smoking; and the longer they invest, the greater the savings in smoking-related health care costs.” Such strategies include higher tobacco prices, hard–hitting media campaigns, 100 percent smoke-free policies, and easily accessible quitting treatments and services for those who want to quit.

To read the full report, visit www.cdc.gov/mmwr. For information about CDC′s cancer prevention and control program, visit www.cdc.gov/cancer; and to learn more about CDC′s tobacco control efforts, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco.