U.S. government study says higher beer taxes reduce STD rates

April 29, 2000

ATLANTA, APR 28 (UNB/AP) - Cheap beer is a leading contributor to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, according to a U.S. government report that says raising the tax on a six-pack by 20 cents could reduce gonorrhea by up to 9 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, released Thursday, compared changes in gonorrhea rates to changes in alcohol policy in all states from 1981 to 1995. In years following beer tax increases, gonorrhea rates usually dropped among young people. The same happened when the drinking age went up - as it did in many states during the 1980s.

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700 under six children die everyday for malnutrition

April 28, 2000

Dhaka, Apr 27 (UNB) – Nutritional status continues to deteriorate in the country, sending 700 under six children to early death everyday.

This was revealed at a seminar titled “Malnutrition: Bangladesh Perspective” at Jatiya Press Club this (Thursday) morning.

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Gene appears to boost risk of coronary heart disease in smokers

April 28, 2000

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, APR 27 (AP) - Smokers who carry a common gene face twice the risk of heart disease than smokers who don't, according to a study of heart disease patients in four communities.

The study, conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health and other institutions, found the gene GSTT1 sharply raises the risk of heart disease in smokers.

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Study says depression-fighting key to treating heart patients

April 26, 2000

DALLAS, APR 25 (AP) - Heart patients with chronic depression are three times more likely to suffer a second heart attack within a year of their first one, a study has found.

Short-term depression is common after a heart attack. The new findings suggest, however, that if depression lingers and there is no support from family, friends or mental health professionals, a second heart attack is likely.

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Thai Cabinet bans smoking scenes on television

April 26, 2000

BANGKOK, APR 25 (AP) - In an effort to protect children from the habit, Thailand's Cabinet on Tuesday banned scenes on television that show people smoking.

The ban, to be implemented by the Public Health Ministry in coordination with local television networks, will apply to both local and international programs. No starting date has yet been set.

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Nebraska law at center of U.S. abortion debate

April 25, 2000

LINCOLN, Nebraska, APR 24 (AP) - When Nebraska lawmakers passed a bill in 1997 banning so-called partial-birth abortions, Sen. Ernie Chambers knew the issue was far from resolved.

The unicameral Legislature's senior member cast the lone vote against its passage and warned his colleagues that the measure would fail to pass constitutional muster.

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Hanif inaugurated first round of 7th National Immunization Day

April 24, 2000

Dhaka, Apr 23 (UNB) – City Mayor Mohammad Hanif today inaugurated the first round of the 7th National Immunization Day by administering Polio vaccines to some children of 1-5 years at the Nagar Bhaban.

Launching the city’s the drive the Mayor called upon all guardians to help feed their children Polio vaccine with a view to make the country Polio-free by this year.

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Oral maxillofacial surgery can be done in Bangladesh

April 23, 2000

Dhaka, Apr 21  (UNB) - Now the dream of a doctor is emerging as realistic as oral maxillofacial surgery can be done here in Bangladesh to cope with the demand for treatment of serious oral complications and diseases suffered by a number large people in the country.

“Dream is now turned into miracle because now everything falls into place. Ten years ago politicians of Bangladesh never wanted to understand the necessity of the oral maxillofacial surgery. Now they have understood,” an Australian Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon who played a pioneering role in developing expertise in the oral maxillofacial surgery in Bangladesh has told UNB.

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Brain-damaged 10-year-old boy wins dlrs 10 million verdict

April 22, 2000

NEW YORK, APR 21 (UNB/AP) - A jury awarded a 10-year-old boy dlrs 10 million for brain damage he suffered after hospital staffers turned his mother away three times when she was about to give birth to him.

The New York state jury awarded the money Wednesday to Brevenick "Pedro" Lara, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. He cannot feed, bathe or dress himself and needs round-the-clock care, said lawyer Judith Livingston.

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Ctg city dwellers vulnerable to various waterborne diseases

April 22, 2000

Chittagong, Apr 21 (UNB) – A high level of Coliform has been detected in the city’s water supplied by WASA, making the city dwellers vulnerable to various waterborne diseases.

A recent survey conducted by Environment Department revealed that the city’s 78 per cent water supplied by WASA contains Coliform 300 times higher than the tolerant level.

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