THW | In the News

"Fast Food-Free Zones" Are Gaining Popularity

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:15:07 -0400

Governments around the globe are taking action to fight obesity and heart disease, and Wisconsin is the latest state to propose the creation of "fast food-free zones." Lawmakers want to limit the number of fast food restaurants and increase access to nutritious and affordable foods, especially near schools and low-income neighborhoods. But staying healthy doesn’t mean that you have to deprive yourself of junk food. While restaurants may never completely replace their unhealthy menu items with healthy ones, you can still make good choices about what you’re eating.

Teens With Respiratory Conditions Just as Likely to Use Inhalants, According to Study

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:20:39 -0400

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that approximately 143,000 young people aged 12 to 17 used inhalants during the past year while they had pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, or sinusitis. Using inhalants can cause serious, even life-threatening damage to your brain, lungs, and other vital organs—and the risks may be even greater for teens with respiratory conditions that make breathing difficult.

Researchers Take a Significant Step Toward Developing HIV Vaccine

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:26:19 -0400

Researchers at the Vaccine Research Center of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have discovered three natural human antibodies that may block HIV infection. In test studies, two antibodies called VRC01 and VRC02 stopped more than 90 percent of HIV strains from damaging the immune system, while a third antibody called VRC03 stopped 57 percent of the virus. Previous experiments have shown that most antibodies are ineffective at fighting HIV because of the virus’s ability to mutate very quickly. Scientists believe this discovery could be a significant step toward developing new treatments for HIV infection or the first successful HIV vaccine.

Listen Up: iPods and MP3 Players May Damage Your Hearing

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:49:55 -0400

ABC News recently reported that listening to iPods and MP3 players at high volume for several hours a day could lead to hearing loss. A safe listening level is no more than 80 to 85 decibels, or 60 percent of a player's maximum volume--that's equivalent to the sound of a dial tone. If you raise the volume to a higher level, you can only listen safely for about an hour and a half. To play it safe, lock your volume setting so the sound doesn't increase when you switch songs, and limit your listening time when you turn up the volume.

Teens May Have Trouble Finding Summer Jobs

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:55:19 -0400

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current unemployment rate for teens is 26.4 percent (compared with 23.2 percent in 2009 and 18.9 percent in 2008). Career specialists say that teens may find themselves competing with college grads and unemployed adults for available positions, but that perseverance is the key to finding a job. Other teens are opting for internships or volunteer work. Although it may not provide a weekly paycheck, an unpaid position can give you valuable experience for your resume or college application.

Teens Take Action to Help the Gulf Oil Spill

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:22:04 -0400

The devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is inspiring teens to become stewards of the environment. Many teens are collecting Dawn dishwashing detergent, rags, and toothbrushes to help clean animals that are covered in oil. Others are organizing fundraisers and soliciting donations from local businesses in their communities. You may not be able to help firsthand, but your actions can have a far-reaching impact on the environment.

Teen Pregnancy Rates in Canada Are Declining Faster Than in the U.S., England, or Sweden

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:12:37 -0400

The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) recently announced that Canada's teen pregnancy rate fell by 37 percent between 1996 and 2006 (the most recent years for which information is available) for girls ages 15 to 19. In comparison, pregnancy rates dropped 25 percent in the U.S. and 4.75 percent in England, but increased 19.1 percent in Sweden. Experts believe that Canadian young women are learning to make better-informed decisions about their health, and are focused on education and career goals rather than having children at an early age.

Teens Urged to Take Extra Precautions Against Skin Cancer

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:23:42 -0400

A recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that only 10 percent of teens reported wearing sunscreen when they were outside for more than an hour. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the second most common form of cancer for teens and young adults ages 15 to 29. How can you protect your skin this summer? Experts recommend that you should stay away from tanning beds, avoid the midday sun, and always wear sunscreen--even on cloudy days.

Hookah Smoking Is On the Rise Among American and Canadian Teens

Mon, 24 May 2010 08:47:32 -0400

A May 2010 study in the journal Pediatrics reported that 23 percent of teens and young adults in North America have smoked a hookah at least once in the past year. Many teens think that hookahs—also known as water pipes, shisha, narghile, goza, or hubble-bubble—are a safe and healthier alternative to cigarettes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hookah users are exposed to more carbon monoxide and may actually inhale more tobacco smoke than cigarette smokers because of the large amount of smoke that is inhaled during one hookah session. Hookah use has also been linked to lung and oral cancers, heart disease, and other serious illnesses.

Fatal Traffic Accidents Increase During Prom and Graduation Season

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:29:49 -0400

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the months of May and June have proven to be the most dangerous for teen drivers and their passengers. In April 2010, USA Today reported that 90 percent of eleventh and twelfth grade students believe their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night, but few think that drinking and driving carries a high degree of risk.