Here’s the fascinating research we’re watching from around the world. CNN Health & Wellness has gauged these studies’ potential impact on our health.
Tanning beds are put to rest
Fewer American adults are soaking up artificial UV rays, according to a new article from JAMA Dermatology. Data shows that from 2010 to 2013, 1.6 million fewer women and 400,000 fewer men used indoor tanning beds, indicating some people are getting the memo about the dangers of indoor bronzing. This decline might be a good sign, but some legislators are pushing for a national ban on tanning beds for people under 18. But not everyone is ready to make pale more popular. The report also shows nearly 10 million people are still using tanning beds, even though all beds are required to have FDA warning labels cautioning that UV rays can cause cancer.
Treating kids and teens with antipsychotics
From 2006 to 2010, antipsychotic prescriptions increased for teens and young adults, while fewer kids aged 12 and younger received prescriptions for the drugs. Overall, the rate of antipsychotic use in minors went down, which is a good thing, according to researchers, because the FDA says these medications are overprescribed and have negative metabolic effects. Antipsychotics are medications that reduce symptoms of psychosis — experiencing hallucinations, hearing voices, or having other confused thoughts. Researchers also found teenage boys were the group prescribed antipsychotics most frequently, and that the drugs were often used to treat aggressive behavior associated with ADHD.
Five changes to cut heart disease in half
Heart disease deaths in the United States could go down by 50% if every person avoided five key risk factors, according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. These five “cardiovascular killers” are smoking, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. If a nationwide lifestyle change seems too ambitious, the study considered what would happen if the entire nation were as healthy as the healthiest states in these five areas? Turns out, 10% of all heart disease deaths would be eliminated.
Boosting cardiac arrest survival rates with training
Saving more lives from cardiac arrest is possible, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine, but every minute counts. This third-leading cause of death is different than a heart attack; cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating and commonly happens without warning signs. Right now, survival rates outside of hospital settings are grim — less than 6% of people survive cardiac arrest. Without treatment within 10 minutes, the survival rate is almost zero. But since very few people are trained in CPR, the study recommends expanding public education and training EMS dispatchers to help 911 callers over the phone.