SAN FRANCISCO — Many U.S. women don’t know most of the warning signs of a stroke, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2014 Scientific Sessions.

The study is also published in the American Heart Association journal, Stroke.

In a phone survey of 1,205 U.S. women:

-More than half (51 percent) of the women identified sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face, arms or legs as a warning sign of a stroke.

-Less than half (44 percent) identified difficulty speaking or garbled speech as a warning sign.

Less than a fourth identified other signs of a stroke, including:

-sudden severe headache (23 percent);

-unexplained dizziness (20 percent); and

-sudden vision loss (18 percent).

Hispanic women were less likely than others to know most of the warning signs of a stroke – 25 percent did not know any, compared to 18 percent for whites and 19 percent for blacks. .

Despite not knowing the warning signs, 84 percent of the women knew the importance of calling 9-1-1 if they thought they were having a stroke.

“This lack of recognition of stroke signs and symptoms could be a significant barrier to reducing death and disability related to stroke in the United States,” said Lori Mosca, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., principal investigator of the study. “This is critically important because delays in getting care costs lives and hinders functional recovery.”

Stroke affects more women than men, is the fourth-leading overall cause of death in the United States — the third leading cause of death for women — and is a primary cause of long-term disability among survivors. The risk is greatest among minority racial groups, including blacks and Hispanics.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association conducted the survey in 2012 as part of a study of heart and stroke awareness among women. Respondents were English-speaking women in the United States, 25 years or older at the time of the study. More than half were white, 17 percent were black, 17 percent were Hispanic and 12 percent were other races/ethnicities.

The association’s national campaign to increase stroke awareness urges people to spot and respond to stroke with the acronym F.A.S.T.

• Face drooping.

• Arm weakness.

• Speech difficulty.

• Time to call 9-1-1.

“It’s so important to recognize a stroke and get quick treatment,” said Mosca, a professor of medicine and director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York. “Public awareness campaigns such as F.A.S.T., along with education from healthcare providers, can help raise that awareness.”

Co-authors are Heidi Mochari-Greenberger, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., and Amytis Towfighi, M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The study was funded in part by a National Institutes of Health career award to Dr. Mosca.

Antibiotics can be lifesaving, but poor prescribing practices put hospital patients at risk for preventable allergic reactions, super-resistant infections, and deadly diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile.  These practices also drive antibiotic resistance, further endangering the future of these miracle drugs and the patients who need them.  For some hospital patients, it is already too late.  We must change prescribing practices now.

According to a new CDC Vital Signs report:

• About one-third of the time, prescribing practices to treat urinary tract infections and prescriptions for the critical and common drug vancomycin included a potential error. This means that many patients are given drugs without proper testing or evaluation, or were given drugs for too long.

• Clinicians in some hospitals prescribed three times as many antibiotics as clinicians in other hospitals, even though patients were receiving care in similar areas of each hospital. This difference suggests the need to improve prescribing practices. 

• A 30 percent reduction in the antibiotics most likely to cause C. difficile infections can reduce these deadly infections by more than 25 percent.

To help hospitals develop antibiotic prescribing improvement programs (also called “antibiotic stewardship” programs), CDC has developed an accompanying checklist and  Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs.

(HealthDay News) -- More than 2.7 million Americans are currently infected with liver-damaging hepatitis C, federal officials say, and one expert believes that number could be even higher.

To read more of the HealthDay News article, click here.

(HealthDay News) -- Think you know who has the flu? Think again: a new study finds that three-quarters of people infected with seasonal flu and swine flu in recent years showed no symptoms.

To read more of the HealthDay News article, click here.

On Monday, March 10, a Drexel University student tragically died from serogroup B meningococcal disease. CDC’s laboratory analysis shows that the strain in Princeton University’s serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak matches the strain in the Drexel University case by “genetic fingerprinting.” This information suggests that the outbreak strain may still be present in the Princeton University community and we need to be vigilant for additional cases.

As with all cases of meningococcal disease, the local health department quickly and thoroughly investigated who has been in close contact with the Drexel University student prior to illness onset. Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent additional cases of meningococcal disease was recommended and administered to those who had or may have had close contact. To date, no related cases among Drexel University students have been reported.

The public health investigation of the Drexel University student revealed that the student had been in close contact with students from Princeton University about a week before becoming ill. Princeton University has been experiencing a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak.

A high percentage of Princeton University undergraduates and eligible graduate students received 2 doses of the investigational serogroup B vaccine as part of a recent vaccination effort at Princeton University. There are currently no serogroup B vaccines licensed (approved) in the United States. Those who have received the investigational vaccine have likely protected themselves from getting sick (there have been no new cases among Princeton University students since the vaccination campaign began on December 9, 2013). Available data show most adolescents that get 2 doses of this vaccine are protected from getting meningococcal disease. However, vaccinated individuals may still be able to carry the bacteria in their throats, which could infect others through close contact.

The local health department and Drexel University are taking all the recommended steps to prevent additional cases. Because Drexel University is not experiencing an outbreak of serogroup B meningococcal disease, members of that community are not considered to be at increased risk.  The investigational serogroup B vaccine is not currently available to the Drexel University community. 

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and determine next steps while local health authorities remain vigilant to recognizing and promptly treating any new cases. At this time, CDC does not recommend limiting social interactions or canceling travel plans as a preventive measure for meningococcal disease.

We recognize that when cases of meningococcal disease occur, there is increased concern about the potential spread of disease and desire to take appropriate steps to prevent additional cases. There is no evidence that family members and the community are at increased risk of getting meningococcal disease from casual contact with Princeton University students, faculty, or staff. Although transmission is from person-to-person, this organism is not highly contagious and requires sharing respiratory and oral secretions to spread. Those at highest risk for disease are people who have had close, prolonged, or face-to-face contact with someone who has meningococcal disease.

Students at both Universities should be especially vigilant to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent treatment if suspected. Symptoms may include sudden onset of a high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, or a rash. Handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes are also good practices to follow.

WASHINGTON – Easy-to-fix household leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year across the United States, equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes. In the race against water waste, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is urging people to fix household water leaks during the sixth annual Fix a Leak Week, March 17 through 23, 2014.

Water leaking from dripping faucets, showerheads and worn toilet flappers in one average American home can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. These types of leaks are often easily correctable, in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

“A household can waste thousands of gallons from leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, which is especially bad news if your community is suffering from a drought,” said Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “Three simple steps—checking for leaks, twisting and tightening pipe connections, and replacing fixtures where needed can help people conserve water and save money on their utility bills.”

Finding and fixing leaks is simple to do in three easy steps:

Check for leaks: Look for dripping faucets, showerheads and fixture connections. Check toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back of the toilet and wait 10 minutes before flushing to see if color shows up in the bowl. If there is color, the toilet flapper likely needs to be replaced, which is an easy repair to make. Check irrigation systems and spigots too.

Twist and tighten pipe connections: If your showerhead is dripping, make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem. It may just need a twist to tighten or some pipe tape to secure it.

Replace the fixture if necessary: If you’re in the mood for an upgrade, look for WaterSense-labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Chasing Leaks,” partners of EPA’s WaterSense program are sponsoring running races, hands-on demonstrations, student contests, and other community events to raise awareness about the need to fix leaking plumbing and irrigation fixtures.

The following are just a few of the events WaterSense partners are holding across the country to raise awareness during Fix a Leak Week:

New Jersey American Water is encouraging children to inspect their homes for leaks through a “Pint-Sized Plumbers” photo contest, and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is sponsoring a water conservation student art and essay contest.

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association is holding its third annual “One for Water” four-mile race and family festival in Peoria, Arizona. The association’s mascot Leaky Loo McFlapper and Ewing Irrigation Products’ mascot Rowdy Rooter will serve as larger-than-life reminders that running toilets and leaky sprinklers are only funny when they are costumes.

The Water Use Efficiency Team and Recreation & Parks Department in Santa Rosa, California teamed up with the Sonoma-Marin Water Savings Partnership to kick off Fix a Leak Week at the third annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K race.

The City of Charlottesville, Virginia, is partnering with other local agencies to host the Fix a Leak Family 5K featuring a running toilet, leak detection kits, and hands-on demonstrations.

The Metropolitan North Georgia Planning District hosted a “Water Drop Dash” 5K race and water festival featuring water conservation education and activities along the Chattahoochee River.

Visit the Fix a Leak Week 2014 Event Map on the WaterSense Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EPAWatersense/app_137541772984354 to see if there is an event in your community. To learn more about finding and fixing leaks, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

Pep-rallies, the marching band, cheers and chants, and savory, indulgent foods sold at the concession stand are all beloved features of the American high school sports tradition.

In contrast to the nutrition requirements on breakfast and lunches sold in school cafeterias, foods sold at concession stands do not follow the standard nutrition guidelines because they are typically sold for fundraising purposes.  Is there something that can be done to improve the healthful features of concession stand food, and preserve the profits they generate?

In this study published in the Journal of Public Health, Dr. Helena Laroche, an assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Iowa, and her research team along  with researchers from the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs (B.E.N. Center) identified two successful strategies for improving the nutritional quality of foods sold at concession stands: 1) offer 5-10 healthy food options 2) modify the ingredients of popular items to contain less saturated and trans fats.

  Revenue and sales data from the concessions at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, IA were collected for two fall sports seasons one year apart.  In the first season, no changes were made to the foods sold.  In the second season, 8 new healthier foods were sold in addition to the standard foods offered.  These foods included carrots, apples, a grilled chicken sandwich, and string cheese.   Furthermore, the regular nacho cheese sauce was replaced with a no trans-fat variety and the popcorn was prepared with canola oil that has less saturated fat and no trans-fat compared to the coconut oil bars previously used. 

 Overall, the healthier items accounted for 9.2% of total sales, a clear indication of demand for these items.  Sales of these items did increase from game to game suggesting increasing interest in these foods.  Income also increased by 4% when the healthier items were sold.  Sales of the modified nacho’s and popcorn increased by 8% despite the relatively healthier nature of the foods.

Finally, student satisfaction of the foods sold was not affected when the healthier foods were offered and parental satisfaction increased. 

These results reveal the opportunities available for concession stand operators to improve the nutritional quality of what they sell, while maintaining customer satisfaction and profit.   The researchers recommend adding 5-10 new healthful items to the concessions menu—“Adding variety, 5-10 new healthful items, will make it easier for customers to find something that they like. Try adding items such as, granola bars, fresh fruit, string cheese and mixed nuts. Rather than removing the less healthy options, make them using healthier ingredients and preparation methods-- patrons will still get the foods they love and they can feel better about eating them!”

Last week, several groups advocating for mercury-free dentistry fillings filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration, accusing the state agency of failing to address the risk of mercury in dental fillings properly. The plaintiffs are demanding either a formal ban on dental amalgam use or a risk reclassification of dental amalgam by the FDA.

To read more of the Dental Tribune article, click here.

WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday $5.5 million in new grants to support schools as they continue to provide school lunches and breakfasts that give children the nutrition they need to learn and grow. Over 90 percent of schools are successfully meeting new meal nutrition standards, serving meals with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat. These new grants provide support to schools to help them achieve or continue to meet those standards. The grants focus on implementation of Smarter Lunchrooms strategies, a broad toolkit of easy-to-implement, evidence-based practices designed to increase consumption of healthier foods and decrease plate waste.

"Schools have worked hard to serve more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy and whole grains at mealtime. Strategies like Smarter Lunchrooms give schools simple, actionable, low-cost steps that help make sure that the healthy food on kids' plates ends up in their stomachs," said Vilsack. "These grants are part of USDA's ongoing commitment to give states and schools the additional resources and flexibility they need as they help make the healthy choice, the easy choice for America's young people."

The Smarter Lunchrooms movement applies practical, research-based principles and strategies that have proven effective at creating an environment that encourages kids to make healthy choices. The movement, which was developed by Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs (BEN Center) with funding from the USDA and others, uses environmental cues to increase student selection of healthy meal options and decrease plate waste. These include simple strategies such as structuring choices in the lunch line so that healthy foods are easiest for students to access, having cafeteria staff dialog with students in such a way that nudges them toward healthy items, and creatively naming foods or meals to make them more appealing to children. For example, researchers found that changing the placement of where fruit is displayed in the lunch line led to a doubling of sales. Similarly, creative naming and display of vegetables increased selection by 40 to 70 percent.

The grants are being released as part of USDA's Team Nutrition initiative, designed to support state-level child nutrition programs through training and technical assistance. The Team Nutrition Training Grants for fiscal year 2014 will require state agency grantees to use the BEN Center's Self-Assessment Score Card to encourage schools in the National School Lunch Program to use Smarter Lunchrooms techniques and increase student choice of whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. These funds may be used to assist the state agency in providing training and technical assistance to school staff in creating Smarter Lunchrooms.

For more information on the FY2014 Team Nutrition Training Grants and upcoming grant-writing webinars please visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/2014-training-grant-application. To apply for the grants please visit www.grants.gov.

These grants are another way USDA is combating child hunger and obesity and improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to combat childhood obesity.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.

A Connecticut law requiring flu shots for children entering preschool or daycare has reduced flu-related hospitalizations of young children by 12 percent, according to a new study.

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