Secondhand Smoking Linked to Mental-Health Problems in Children — National Journal

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to have mental and behavioral issues and are more likely to smoke later in life, according to two new studies in the August edition of the journal Pediatrics.

About 5 million children in the United States live in homes where they are exposed to secondhand smoke, which puts them at greater risk for asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.

According to the new studies from Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis, children exposed to secondhand smoke more commonly have behavioral and mental-health problems and are more likely to smoke when they grow up than children from non-smoking homes.

healthcare policy, newsAlthea FungJuly 11, 2011smoking cessation, mental health

A Parent's Military Deployments Take a Major Toll on Children's Mental Health, Study Finds — National Journal

More fallout from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq: Children with an active-duty parent deployed there for long periods were more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health problem than children whose parents were not deployed, researchers reported on Monday.

In the 10 years since the two wars began, more than 2 million servicemen and -women have served in wartime duties, with more than half of them being deployed more than once, according to the National Military Family Association, a support organization.

Those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to have families than their counterparts in any wars in U.S. history. A majority of military children -- 75 percent -- are under the age of 11.

healthcare policy, newsAlthea FungJuly 4, 2011mental health, military affairs

Football Helmet Safety Hits the Hill — National Journal

While the National Football League owners and the players union hash out their labor dispute, health and safety issues within the sport made their way to Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., will hold a news conference on Wednesday to introduce legislation aimed at protecting young players from sports-related brain injuries.

Separately, Reps. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and Henry Waxman, D-Calif., are requesting a hearing on helmet safety.

healthcare policy, newsAlthea FungMarch 16, 2011football

Is TSA Pat-Down Hysteria Pushing Travelers to More-Dangerous Roads? — National Journal

Could it be the TSA pat downs?

Travel this Thanksgiving weekend is expected to rise from past levels, officials said, but more Americans are turning to trains, buses, and automobiles to get away.

That may not be a good thing, an economist says. Although travelers may avoid having a Transportation Security Administration employee touch their junk, they are exposing themselves to the perils of the highway.

government, newsAlthea FungNovember 22, 2010TSA

'Pushy New Yorkers' compel House vote on 9/11 bill — National Journal

At the urging of what one aide called 12 "pushy" New York lawmakers, House Democratic leaders plan to bring to the floor Wednesday legislation that would extend health care aid to 9/11 first responders.

Although the bill failed to pass under a suspension of the rules in July, its supporters believe they have the votes to approve the measure under regular order and will be able to beat back any "poison-pill" amendments designed to kill the measure.

One House leadership aide on Tuesday explained the vote's timing -- on what many believe will be the last day for floor action before the Nov. 2 elections -- as the result of "12 pushy New Yorkers," who are the bill's most vocal advocates.

healthcare policy, newsAlthea FungSeptember 29, 20109/11, congress

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