TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Most Parents Can Accurately Assess Their Teens' Substance Use
Many teenagers may think they're getting away with drinking, smoking, or other drug use -- but a new study suggests that their parents might not be quite so in the dark about it. Findings from a novel study out of the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions show that most parents can accurately estimate their child's alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. According to lead researcher Neil B. McGillicuddy, Ph.D., "It seems that, despite a few exceptions, many parents do know the extent of their teenager's substance use. Parents can use this knowledge to help themselves cope with teenage substance use and the resulting stress on the family, as well as to begin conversations with their teen about making changes."
Read the full article at:
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/8919
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Mental and Physical Benefits of Breastfeeding Found for Most Fragile Newborns
Mental and Physical Benefits of Breastfeeding Found for Most Fragile Newborns
Researchers have been discovering more and more benefits of breastfeeding, and here's one more: premature infants with extremely low birth weight were found to have improved mental development and fewer rehospitalizations when breast-fed shortly after birth. "These findings strongly suggest that, whenever possible, preterm infants should routinely be given breast milk during their stay in the intensive care unit," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institutes of Health organization that conducted the study. About 40,000 premature infants with extremely low birth weight are born in the United States each year.
Read the full article at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm
Researchers have been discovering more and more benefits of breastfeeding, and here's one more: premature infants with extremely low birth weight were found to have improved mental development and fewer rehospitalizations when breast-fed shortly after birth. "These findings strongly suggest that, whenever possible, preterm infants should routinely be given breast milk during their stay in the intensive care unit," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institutes of Health organization that conducted the study. About 40,000 premature infants with extremely low birth weight are born in the United States each year.
Read the full article at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm
New Study Looks at Bicycle Injury Toll beyond Emergency-Department Visits
BICYCLE SAFETY
New Study Looks at Bicycle Injury Toll beyond Emergency-Department Visits
The fact that bicycle-related injuries are one of the most common causes of childhood emergency-department visits is widely known -- but a new study looks deeper and finds cause for even more concern. Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that about 10,700 children are admitted to the hospital for bicycle-related injuries each year, resulting in almost $200 million in hospital inpatient costs. The study appears in the October issue of Injury Prevention.
Read the full article at:
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/applications/
controller.cfm?page=204&id=431&type=new
New Study Looks at Bicycle Injury Toll beyond Emergency-Department Visits
The fact that bicycle-related injuries are one of the most common causes of childhood emergency-department visits is widely known -- but a new study looks deeper and finds cause for even more concern. Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that about 10,700 children are admitted to the hospital for bicycle-related injuries each year, resulting in almost $200 million in hospital inpatient costs. The study appears in the October issue of Injury Prevention.
Read the full article at:
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/applications/
controller.cfm?page=204&id=431&type=new
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Report: Obese Children Miss More School Days
A Report out of Philadelphia — Obese elementary schoolchildren miss a couple more school days on average than their normal-weight classmates, according to a study that says being fat is a better predictor for absenteeism than any other factor.
Researchers said their results suggest that childhood obesity, in addition to serious medical issues, can lead to a plethora of additional problems down the road.
Click on the URL below for the rest of this story:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292937,00.html
Researchers said their results suggest that childhood obesity, in addition to serious medical issues, can lead to a plethora of additional problems down the road.
Click on the URL below for the rest of this story:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292937,00.html
New Public Fire & Life Safety Educator Level II Class Available - Expenses will be paid
ANNOUNCEMENT:
A NEW PUBLIC FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR, LEVEL II CLASS is NOW AVAILABLE. The FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY GRANT awarded to VFLSC this year will pay expenses for 50 PFLSE, Level I certified educators to become certified to Level II!!
Please go to this web page to obtain more information and to apply:
http://www.vflsc.org/PFLSE2-register.htm
and feel free to visit the VFLSC online at: www.vflsc.org
Also, please help spread the word ! We will be contacting all 1035, Level I certified folks to let them know.
A NEW PUBLIC FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR, LEVEL II CLASS is NOW AVAILABLE. The FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY GRANT awarded to VFLSC this year will pay expenses for 50 PFLSE, Level I certified educators to become certified to Level II!!
Please go to this web page to obtain more information and to apply:
http://www.vflsc.org/PFLSE2-register.htm
and feel free to visit the VFLSC online at: www.vflsc.org
Also, please help spread the word ! We will be contacting all 1035, Level I certified folks to let them know.
Governor's Healthy Students Summit
The General Assembly has designated the third week in September, 2007 and in each succeeding year, as Healthy Virginians/Healthy Students Week. In observance of the first Healthy Students Week, the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources extended an invitation to local school divisions and health districts to participate in the Governor’s Healthy Students Summit on September 20. The purpose of the Summit was to foster local collaboration between school divisions and health districts to develop action plans to address childhood obesity.
Some of the things learned by Summit participants included: (1)Recent collaborations between public education & public health for the prevention of childhood obesity in various Virginia localities; (2) How Local Wellness Policies can serve as an important tool to guide the development of childhood obesity prevention efforts at the local level; and (3) How the Governor's Scorecard for Nutrition & Physical Activity can serve as a significant motivator for the development of childhood obesity prevention efforts at the local level.
Materials from the summit are posted on the Secretary of Health and Human Resource's website and can be viewed at http://www.hhr.virginia.gov/initiatives/HealthyStudentsSummit/
Some of the things learned by Summit participants included: (1)Recent collaborations between public education & public health for the prevention of childhood obesity in various Virginia localities; (2) How Local Wellness Policies can serve as an important tool to guide the development of childhood obesity prevention efforts at the local level; and (3) How the Governor's Scorecard for Nutrition & Physical Activity can serve as a significant motivator for the development of childhood obesity prevention efforts at the local level.
Materials from the summit are posted on the Secretary of Health and Human Resource's website and can be viewed at http://www.hhr.virginia.gov/initiatives/HealthyStudentsSummit/
CPSC Delivers the ABC's of Toy Safety
A recent press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Toy Safety is below. Some good information to share....
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As gift-givers shop for that perfect toy this holiday season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is emphasizing the importance of shopping safely. Knowing your ABC’s of toy safety will make for happy holidays: (A) awareness, and knowing the (B) benefits, for (C) consumers – (Awareness Benefits Consumers).
Awareness is not only knowing there is a CPSC and what the agency does to protect consumers but also being aware of what poses the greatest risks. The leading causes of toy-related fatalities include choking and aspiration of toy parts.
The increased scrutiny of toys and the CPSC has led to B, or benefits, to consumers. CPSC has increased the agency’s inspections of toys and is taking the action needed to remove violative products from the marketplace. More companies are testing their products and reporting possible safety problems.
The Chinese government has signed new agreements to conduct pre-export inspections to prevent lead painted toys and other unsafe toys from being exported to the U.S.
“CPSC recalled 61 toys involving more than 25 million product units in 2007, underscoring CPSC’s daily commitment to keeping consumers safe 365 days a year,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord. “Toys today are undergoing more inspection and more intense scrutiny than ever before.”
Finally C, consumers should stay informed and be aware of recalls by signing up to receive direct e-mail notification of recalls at www.cpsc.gov. CPSC has launched a “Drive to 1 Million” to sign up at least 1 million consumers to receive this direct notification.
Consumers can also be more aware by shopping with CPSC's Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:
•Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
•Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
•Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
•Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
•Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
To choose appropriate toys for children:
•Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
•Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
•For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Once the gifts are open:
•Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
•Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
•Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As gift-givers shop for that perfect toy this holiday season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is emphasizing the importance of shopping safely. Knowing your ABC’s of toy safety will make for happy holidays: (A) awareness, and knowing the (B) benefits, for (C) consumers – (Awareness Benefits Consumers).
Awareness is not only knowing there is a CPSC and what the agency does to protect consumers but also being aware of what poses the greatest risks. The leading causes of toy-related fatalities include choking and aspiration of toy parts.
The increased scrutiny of toys and the CPSC has led to B, or benefits, to consumers. CPSC has increased the agency’s inspections of toys and is taking the action needed to remove violative products from the marketplace. More companies are testing their products and reporting possible safety problems.
The Chinese government has signed new agreements to conduct pre-export inspections to prevent lead painted toys and other unsafe toys from being exported to the U.S.
“CPSC recalled 61 toys involving more than 25 million product units in 2007, underscoring CPSC’s daily commitment to keeping consumers safe 365 days a year,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord. “Toys today are undergoing more inspection and more intense scrutiny than ever before.”
Finally C, consumers should stay informed and be aware of recalls by signing up to receive direct e-mail notification of recalls at www.cpsc.gov. CPSC has launched a “Drive to 1 Million” to sign up at least 1 million consumers to receive this direct notification.
Consumers can also be more aware by shopping with CPSC's Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:
•Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
•Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
•Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
•Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
•Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.
To choose appropriate toys for children:
•Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
•Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
•For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Once the gifts are open:
•Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
•Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
•Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.
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