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Births To Unmarried Women Increasing In U.S., Driven By Women In 20s, 30s, Report Shows
Almost 40% of U.S. births in 2007 occurred among unmarried women, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention"s National Center for Health Statistics, the Washington Post reports. About 1.7 million infants were born to unmarried women in 2007, representing a 26% increase over the 1.4 million in 2002 and more than double the number in 1980. Unmarried women accounted for 39.7% of all U.S. births in 2007, up from 34% in 2002 and more than double the percentage in 1980, according to the report, which studied birth certificates nationwide.Women in their 20s and 30s are the biggest drivers of the trend, with out-of-wedlock births in this age group increasing from a rate of 13% to 34% between 2002 and 2006, according to the report (Stein/St. George, Washington Post, 5/14). For example, the birthrate for unmarried women ages 30 to 34 rose by 34% in 2007 compared with 2002 (Harris, New York Times, 5/14). Sixty percent of births to women ages 20 to 24 were to unmarried women, compared to 52% in 2002. In addition, 32% of births to women 25 to 29 were to unmarried women, compared to 25% in 2002, the report shows (Jayson, USA Today, 5/14). Overall, women in their 20s made up 60% of U.S. unmarried births in 2007, while teens accounted for 23% and women ages 30 and older accounted for 17% (New York Times, 5/13). Unmarried Hispanic women gave birth at a rate of 106 births per 1,000 unmarried women. The rate was 72 per 1,000 for blacks, 32 per 1,000 for whites and 26 per 1,000 for Asians. The rates for blacks and Hispanics rose the fastest, according to the report (Washington Post, 5/14). Compared with other countries, the U.S. rate of unmarried births was near the middle of the 14 countries included in the report (USA Today, 5/14).Although researchers did research the reasons for the trend, they cited several factors that in combination likely affected the rate, including a decrease in the social stigma surrounding out-of-wedlock births, an increasing number of couples putting off or forgoing marriage, and growing numbers of financially independent, older or single women who choose to have children on their own (Washington Post, 5/14). Researchers noted that most of the increase in these births was among parents who live together but are not married (New York Times, 5/13)."I think this is the tipping point," Rosanna Hertz of Wellesley College said, adding, "This is becoming increasingly the norm. The old adage that "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage" just no longer holds true." Hertz added, "Women can have children on their own, and it"s not going to destroy your employment, and it"s not going to mean that you"ll be made a pariah by the community. It"s much more socially acceptable." Sarah Brown of the National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said, "I look at this and say, maybe this trend is what young adults want or stumble into, but it"s not in the best interest of children" (Washington Post, 5/14).
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St. Jude Medical Completes Implants In U.S. Study Of Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson's Disease
St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced the completion of patient implants in its U.S. pivotal clinical study of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson"s disease, a neurological disorder affecting approximately 6.3 million people worldwide that progressively diminishes a person"s control over his or her movements. The announcement was made at the Movement Disorder Society"s 13th International Congress of Parkinson"s Disease and Movement Disorders in Paris.
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Launch Of Lung Health Check On WebMD Announced By COPD Foundation

The COPD Foundation announces launch of the Lung Health Check, developed in an educational collaboration with WebMD. Development of the Lung Health Check was made possible by funding from the COPD Foundation. The Lung Health Check is an educational platform at http://www.webmd.com/lung-disease-health-check that both teaches the key symptoms and risks of developing lung disease, and suggests appropriate steps to take to prevent or manage disease. This solution offers a quick check on the effects that a breathing problem is having on a person"s life, and offers suggestions both for those already diagnosed with a lung problem and those with respiratory symptoms as yet undiagnosed. The Lung Health Check will not give out medical advice, but is intended to serve as an educational re and tool. "The COPD Foundation is extremely excited about this collaboration with WebMD and to be able to provide a re on lung health," said John W. Walsh, President of the COPD Foundation. Walsh said the new platform will help "inform, educate, empower and engage individuals to learn more about their lung health," and enable more effective interaction with healthcare providers. "Those of us already diagnosed with lung conditions like COPD understand the importance of early and complete diagnosis and the value of "learn more breathe better"," said Walsh. He said the Lung Health Check will be "a re to millions of people searching for answers" to their shortness of breath. "Millions have been diagnosed with lung problems and millions more have symptoms suggesting a possible lung problem, shortness of breath or cough or phlegm production, but remain undiagnosed," said Byron Thomashow, MD, Chairman of the COPD Foundation. "Most lung problems are treatable but can only be treated if properly diagnosed," Thomashow said. "The Lung Health Check allows people with respiratory complaints to get a better idea of their lung health and then share the results with their healthcare provider. For some, the Lung Health Check may be a place to start. For others it may be a place to gauge one"s progress." After completing the Lung Health Check, users receive three customized reports that focus on various aspects of health and offer suggestions such as how to ask for help, reduce stress, get better sleep and stay active. This online solution is designed to assist both health care providers - physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists - and people concerned about their own lung health or that of their family members. Patients can print the reports and bring them to a physician, which may aid in diagnosis. The Lung Health Check also provides access to a wealth of information and res. It teaches people to take an active role in managing their disease, including how to follow a medication regimen, and explains the kinds of testing needed for proper diagnosis (such as spirometry for COPD). The Lung Health Check is just one of several programs the COPD Foundation has created to spread awareness of COPD for the year 2010, which the World Health Organization has designated "The Year of the Lung." The Lung Health Check is an educational collaboration between WebMD and the COPD Foundation. The Lung Health Check is not a program of the American Thoracic Society. About COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. and is expected to become the third by 2020. COPD is the only one of the leading causes of death which is still increasing in mortality. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates that 24 million Americans have COPD, but only half of them are diagnosed; the other 12 million don"t know they have COPD and are not receiving appropriate treatment. The cost of COPD health care for American taxpayers in 2007 is estimated at $42.6 billion. Ifdy Perez COPD Foundation


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