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■ In This Issue
■ Public Health News
Measles in U.S. at highest level since 2001
Measles outbreaks in at least seven states are expected to produce more cases in 2008 than in any other recent year, federal health officials say, citing lack of vaccination as the chief cause.
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News article »
CDC Update »
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Breastfeeding reduces risk of infant death by one-third
A review of recent studies found that breastfed babies, even those who were partly breastfed, were one-third less likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than babies who were never breastfed.
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News article »
Journal abstract »
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Low thyroid output tied to heart attacks in women
A study of the levels of thyrotropin, a hormone that gauges thyroid function, in 17,000 women found that women with the least active thyroids were 69 percent more likely to die from heart disease than women with more active thyroid glands.
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News article »
Journal abstract »
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Tomato consumption improves skin health
In a small study of adult men and women, researchers found that adding five tablespoons of tomato paste to the daily diet improved the skin's structure and ability to protect against harmful UV rays.
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News article »
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Aspirin could reduce risk from most common type of breast cancer
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that women who took aspirin daily cut their risk of developing the most common type of breast cancer by 16 percent.
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News article »
Journal abstract »
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Common medications can cause physical and mental impairment in the elderly
Two new studies show that anticholinergics, a commonly prescribed group of drugs, may cause elderly people to lose their thinking skills more quickly and impair their physical activity, causing them to function as if they were three to four years older.
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News article »
Journal abstract »
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One-third of parents lack child development facts
A survey of 10,000 mothers found that one-third of parents have shortcomings in their basic knowledge of child development, including which behaviors are appropriate at which age.
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News article »
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■ Reportable Disease Statistics
Mississippi's reportable disease statistics are updated monthly with the latest figures and yearly totals of reportable diseases in the state. The current and past months' statistics, with details by public health district, can be viewed on-line.
Disease statistics on-line »
■ Public Health Snapshot
Over 6,200 Mississippians died from cancer in 2006. This week's Snapshot gives the number of deaths from the leading types
of cancer for that year, with the highest being cancers of the respiratory system and chest (lung, bronchial system, and other chest organs). Lifestyle
choices such as diet and smoking cessation can reduce the risk of both respiratory and digestive system cancers, which together accounted for over half of all cancer deaths in 2006.
2006 Mississippi Cancer Deaths
Number of deaths by leading cancer types
Source: MSDH Vital Statistics
For up-to-date public health statistics, visit MSDH online:
Reportable Disease Statistics »
Mississippi Vital Statistics »
■ Environmental Health Update
Food Facility Inspection "C" Results
Inspection reports for the week ending May 1, 2008
Mississippi food facilities are graded A, B or C, reflecting whether critical violations were found during
inspections and how quickly they were corrected. The facilities below received a grade of C for
a critical violation that could not be immediately corrected, or a critical violation repeated from their last inspection.
Understanding food facility inspection grades »
Detailed on-line inspection reports »
Boil-Water Notices
Notices listed by MSDH for the week ending May 1, 2008
| Water System | County | Reason |
| Sunrise Utility Assn |
Forrest |
Pressure loss |
| Clara Water Assn |
Wayne |
Pressure loss |
| FCWA - South Meadville |
Franklin |
Pressure loss |
| Eagle Lake Water District |
Warren |
Pressure loss |
View current water system alerts on-line »
■ Upcoming Events
| May 21 - 23 | Healthy Mississippi Summit
Jackson, MS. The third annual Summit supplies the resources to engage people where they live, work and play to embrace healthy lifestyles for themselves and those they care about.
Information and registration »
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| May 21 - 23 | Disaster Mental Health Conference
Natchez, MS. Essential information and education regarding issues relating to disaster response in the mental health context will be presented at this conference.
Information and registration »
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| May 28 | Free BodyWorks Training
Jackson, MS. BodyWorks is a new program designed to help parents and caregivers of girls age 9 to 13 to improve family eating and activity habits.
Information and registration »
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| June 26 | Men's Health and Healthcare Conference
Jackson, MS. A free one-day forum to educate and empower men to take a proactive approach to improving the quality of their lives.
Information and registration »
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