Headlines in Health

Some of us experienced sweaty palms and rapid heartbeats as we watched the Winter Olympics this past February, and grieved when we heard about the accidental death of a young athlete. But how many of us thought about the healthy, young athletes who collapse and die during sporting events every year due to tachycardia (excessively rapid heartbeat) or other heart conditions?

Mental disorders are fairly common in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans age 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year, which amounts to one out of every four adults.

February is American Heart Month. Did you know that heart disease is the number-one cause of death in the United States today? About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event.

In December 2009, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued new guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected adults and adolescents. The DHHS guidelines, constructed by a panel of top HIV researchers, clinicians and community activists, are regularly updated based on new results from clinical trials and other studies. When they vote to revise guidelines or add new recommendations, panelists may designate their recommendation as “strong,” moderate” or “optional,” depending on how they interpret the strength of the data. Typically, two thirds of the panel must vote together in order to approve a new recommendation.

Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. Last month, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) published the results of an international research study researching infection rates in ICUs around the world.