Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
High Court Rejects Preliminary Health Reform Challenge
The first preliminary challenge to the Obama administration's
health care reform law was rejected Monday by the U.S. Supreme
Court.
The appeal from a former Republican state lawmaker in California
has not been heard in lower courts, so it was no surprise that the
appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court, the
Associated Press reported.
However, the fact that all the high court justices took part in
rejecting the appeal may be significant, according to the
AP.
Both new Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Clarence Thomas
apparently voted on the case. Kagan was President Obama's solicitor
general before joining the Supreme Court. Some critics have
demanded Thomas step aside from the health care reform because his
wife is a leading opponent of the law.
-----
Drowsy Driving a Major Problem: Survey
About 41 percent of U.S. drivers who took part in a new survey
said they have fallen asleep at the wheel at some point in their
lives, and 11 percent said it happened to them in the last
year.
Some drivers were asleep for more than a minute on a multi-lane
highway, according to the telephone survey of 2,000 people ages 16
and older. It was conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety, the
Chicago Tribune reported.
The AAA also analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration data and found that drowsy driving was a
contributing factor in 16.5 percent of fatal crashes in the United
States.
Among the other findings:
- Men were 61 percent more likely than women to be involved in
crashes involving drowsy driving.
- Drivers ages 16 to 24 were 78 percent more likely to have been
drowsy prior to an accident than drivers ages 40 to 59.
- In crashes involving drowsy driving, more than half the drivers
drifted into other lanes or off the road.
The study's release Monday coincides with Drowsy Driving
Prevention Week, the
Tribune reported.
-----
Costco Cheese Implicated in E. Coli Outbreak: FDA
Gouda cheese sold at Costco stores has been linked to an E. coli
outbreak in which 25 people have become ill, says the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration.
The Bravo Farms Dutch Style Raw Milk Gouda Cheese was offered
for sale and in-store tasting at Costco stores in Arizona,
California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada between October 5 and
November 8,
CNN reported.
Consumers with the cheese (Costco item 40654) should dispose of
it in a closed plastic bag and place it in a sealed trash can, the
FDA recommended. Costco is also offering refunds to people who
return the cheese.
Bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps and dehydration are among the
symptoms of E. coli. In extreme cases, patients can suffer kidney
failure. The FDA said people who believe they have E. coli symptoms
should contact a health care provider,
CNN reported.
-----
Britax Recalls 23,000 Infant Car Seats
About 23,000 infant care seats that may have faulty harness
clips are being recalled by Britax Child Safety Inc. of Charlotte,
N.C.
The clip on the chest of car seats can break loose and pose a
laceration or choking hazard, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, the
Associated Press reported.
So far, Britax has received three reports of cuts and scratches
and one report of a child placing a broken clip in his mouth.
The Chinese-made seats were sold across the U.S. and on the
Britax website from June 2009 to October 2010, the
AP reported.
Consumers can get a free repair kit by calling Britax at
888-427-4829.