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Parents Concerned, But Confused About How To Fix Childhood Obesity
Food, fitness or familyò€¦which one is most to blame for childhood obesity? New research from Mintel shows today"s parents aren"t sure, and they"re feeling overwhelmed and worried as they try to prevent obesity in their own children.

Dystonia: Abnormal Brain Circuits May Prevent Movement Disorder
Specific changes in brain pathways may counteract genetic mutations for the movement disorder dystonia, according to new research in the August 5 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. Few people who inherit dystonia genes display symptoms - namely sustained muscle contractions and involuntary gestures - and the study provides a possible explanation. This result could lead to new treatments for the estimated 500,000 North Americans diagnosed with dystonia.
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Kansas Gov. Parkinson Urged To Veto Removal Of Planned Parenthood Funding In Budget
Supporters of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri are urging Gov. Mark Parkinson (D) to veto a provision in a budget bill (H.B. 2373) that would eliminate the group"s funding, the AP/Wichita Eagle reports. The bill aims to balance Kansas" budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The original bill was approved by the Legislature and former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who resigned in April to become HHS secretary. It included $250,000 in state funding for Planned Parenthood for FY 2010. However, lawmakers later amended the budget with a new bill that includes a provision eliminating the funding after state revenue projections declined, the AP/Eagle reports.While antiabortion-rights advocates want Parkinson to retain the provision, about two dozen supporters of Planned Parenthood gathered on Tuesday to urge Parkinson to line-item veto the provision. They left petitions at the governor"s office with about 3,500 signatures, the AP/Eagle reports. Planned Parenthood attorney Pedro Irigonegarary said the loss of funding would negatively impact "a large number of innocent people." He added that the group "is about family values. They have taken those two words from us and now it"s time to take them back." According to the AP/Eagle, Planned Parenthood said the state funding is given to its Ellis and Sedgwick county clinics, which do not perform abortions. The group also noted that no state funds are used for abortion procedures performed at its clinics in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City.The governor"s office said that Parkinson intends to act on the bill sometime this week, although he will not announce what action he will take on any legislation in advance. Parkinson has said that he holds "very similar" views on abortion rights as Sebelius, who supports such rights. However, he has yet to act on any bills regarding abortion, the AP/Eagle reports. Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, said that the group is asking members to contact legislators and the governor"s office in support of retaining the measure. The AP/Eagle reports that if Parkinson vetoes the measure, lawmakers could attempt to override it (Manning, AP/Wichita Eagle, 5/19).
Sexual Health

First Confirmed Case Of H1N1 (Swine) Flu In Coconino County

Coconino County Health Department (CCHD) officials announced today the first case of H1N1 (swine) flu in Coconino County. The Arizona Department of Health Services Lab confirmed that a 24 year-old male from the Navajo Nation has tested positive for the illness. The man went to the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation Emergency Department with flu-like symptoms and was tested. He is now recovering from the illness. As of May 20, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) reported 452 confirmed cases and three H1N1 (swine) flu related deaths in Arizona. There are no other confirmed H1N1 (swine) flu cases in Coconino County. The Coconino County Health Department is closely monitoring the H1N1 (swine) flu situation in coordination with the Navajo Nation Division of Health, Arizona Department for Health Services (ADHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CCHD is also working with Coconino County schools to monitor absences and respiratory illness and to promote good health habits among students and staff members. There are things that everyone can do to help them stay healthy. The Coconino County Health Department and the Navajo Nation Division of Health recommend the following preventative measures: - Sneeze or cough into your sleeve; this is the preferred method of covering your cough. If you can"t do this, cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands afterwards. - Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. - Try to avoid close contact with sick people. - If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting in addition to the respiratory symptoms associated with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. Health officials advise individuals who develop mild influenza-like-illness (ILI) (fever with either cough or sore throat) to stay at home, to get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Persons who experience more serious symptoms and need to seek medical care should contact their health care providers to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician"s office, or hospital. Those with severe symptoms (see below) who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention. In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: - Fast breathing or trouble breathing - Bluish skin color - Not drinking enough fluids - Not waking up or not interacting - Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held - Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough - Fever with a rash In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: - Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen - Sudden dizziness - Confusion - Severe or persistent vomiting The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has created a webpage with information and updates. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine. Information is also available on the CCHD website at http://www.coconino.az.gov/health. Arizona Department of Health Services


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