The use of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening is credited for reducing the deaths from colorectal cancer cases and is less invasive with fewer side effects than colonoscopy. Thatâ€™s according to results from the first randomized clinical trials in the United Stats that looked at the effectiveness of sigmoidoscopy. Tim Church a University of Minnesota cancer prevention expert, said 155,000 people involved in the study, including more than 29,000 people in Minnesota.

Public Health Moment

Study: Flexible sigmoidoscopy effective screening tool for colorectal cancer

A new University of Minnesota study has confirmed that neighborhoods with a higher density of alcohol establishments experience more violent crime. But the study also compared neighborhoods with on-premise alcohol sales â€“ bars and restaurants â€“ with neighborhoods containing off-site alcohol sales, such as liquor stores.

Alcohol establishments and violent crime

Is it a healthy for young adults to weigh themselves frequently? Thatâ€™s what researchers with Project Eat at the University of Minnesota wanted to learn, so they studied more than 2,000 adults with an average age of 25. Virginia Quick, one of the researchers in the study, explains the results.

Frequent self weighing can be unhealthy for young adults

For weeks, scientific debate has focused on the publication of two studies that document the lab creation of H1N1 virus, or bird flu. The debate included varying opinions about the case-fatality rate â€“ in other words, how deadly the virus might be if transferred to the human population.

H5N1 debate should focus on new vaccines

Studies have shown that uninsured children have less access to health care services. But what about children with insurance that carries expensive out-of-pocket costs? Assistant Professor Pinar Karaca-Mandic found that children of parents who pay more out-of-pocket costs use their asthma control medication less often and have more asthma-related hospitalizations.

Parents forgo treatments for children as out-of-pocket costs rise

The economy is recovering, but the percentage of Minnesotans without health insurance remains as high now as it did two years ago at the official end of the great recession. In 2011, 9.1 percent of Minnesotans were without health insurance, which is unchanged from 2009. Thatâ€™s according to findings from the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota. Thatâ€™s the average. But Minnesotans of color continue to have dramatically higher rates of uninsurance.

Rate of uninsured remains flat

An increasing number of public health experts are calling for a soda pop tax as a way to combat obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, while reducing health care costs. Roger Feldman, a professor and health policy expert at the University of Minnesota, recently wrote an op/ed on the subject.

A proposal to tax soda pop

Women with peripheral artery disease, or PAD, are two to three times more likely to have a stroke or heart attack than those without it â€• yet itâ€™s often unrecognized and untreated, especially in women. Thatâ€™s according to the American Heart Association. PAD is a circulatory disease that, left untreated, can increase heart attack and stroke risk.

PAD often unrecognized, untreated in women

In an effort to reduce cancer-related health disparities, the National Cancer Institute is providing $2.2 million to the University of Minnesotaâ€™s Medical School and School of Public Health to help researchers develop, test, and evaluate intervention strategies related to reducing these disparities. Jean Forster, a professor of epidemiology and community health at Minnesota, explains what we already know about these disparities.

U of M wins $2.2 million health disparities training grant

Our U.S. soldiers are trained to drive defensively and aggressively in combat zones in order to evade enemy fire and avoid roadway explosives. Upon returning home, however, thousands of veterans are finding it difficult to adjust to normal driving behavior. This has resulted in higher accident rates for some veterans. Thatâ€™s according to USAA, a leading insurance company for service members. Now, University of Minnesota researchers, Erica Sturn and Todd Rockwood, are conducting a study to identify why this is happening. Rockwood explains.

Combat veterans and erratic driving

A greater percentage of Twin Cities families, compared with families across the state and nation, lack consistent access to healthy, affordable food. Thatâ€™s according to new research from the University of Minnesota. The highest rates of what is called food insecurity were found in women, Asian Americans (primarily Hmong) and other non-white racial groups, and single parents.

Food Insecurity in the Twin Cities

Taking dietary supplements is supposed to improve health, but in a recent University of Minnesota study involving more than 38,000 women, researchers have concluded that women who took supplements had, on average, a 2.4 percent increased risk of dying over the course of the 19-year study.

Dietary supplements

January is Radon awareness month. Radon is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. In fact, Radon kills more than 21,000 Americans each year.

Radon Awareness

Itâ€™s cervical cancer awareness month and thereâ€™s news to report. Two sets of draft guidelines now recommend that women be screened only once every three years instead of annually.

Cervical Cancer Draft Guidelines

A common New Yearâ€™s resolution is to live a healthier lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and exercising more. But despite our earnest intent, the follow through really is hard. Mark Pereira, a University of Minnesota professor of epidemiology, suggests that we start by having a Holiday resolution.

Tips for keeping your New Year's Resolutioins

Weekly segments on topical public health issues featuring University of Minnesota experts. Please note: This series has been discontinued. The archive is available below.

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Public Health Moment

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