|
|
Teen STDs; Depression Test; Shorter Lives
Tuesday, March 11
In tonight's Medical Watch -- the trend stops now ... children will not live longer than their parents. Checking the blood to determine mood. And a startling statistic about sexually transmitted diseases.
Teen STDs
One in four American teenage girls has an STD. A new study finds 3 million young people are infected with the virus that causes cervical cancer, genital warts, herpes, and chlamydia. The Centers for Disease control says the highest rates for STDs are among African American girls ages 14 to 19 ... 50 percent have had at least one. Twenty percent of white and Mexican American teenagers have had an STD.
Depression Test
A simple test may be able to diagnose depression. University of Illinois at Chicago researchers say they may have found a a way to test for a brain protein associated with depression. Not only would the test help find the mental health concern, it will also help determine whether a specific anti-depressant will be successful in treatment. The researchers are now expanding their study.
Shorter Lives
Extending lives is not likely in the next generation. For the first time in 200 years, life expectancy for for children today is expected to be shorter than their parents. The problem: parents don't enforce good health habits, kids rarely eat balanced meals and children are getting fatter. The New England Journal of Medicine reports obesity alone could shorten lifespans by five years. The advice: enjoy at least one nutritious family meal a day and promote physical activity.
Copyright © 2008, WGN-TV
|
|
|
|
|
E-mail story
Print