Oct 25, 2018 03:13 AM
Why did the flu kill 80,000 Americans last year
https://theconversation.com/why-did-the-...ear-105095
EXCERPT: The 2017-2018 flu season was historically severe. Public health officials estimate that 900,000 Americans were hospitalized and 80,000 died from the flu and its complications. For comparison, the previous worst season from the past decade, 2010-2011, saw 56,000 deaths. In a typical season, 30,000 Americans die.
So why was the 2017-2018 season such a bad year for flu? There were two big factors. First, one of the circulating strains of the influenza virus, A(H3N2), is particularly virulent, and vaccines targeting it are less effective than those aimed at other strains. In addition, most of the vaccine produced was mismatched to the circulating A(H3N2) subtype. These problems reflect the special biology of the influenza virus and the methods by which vaccines are produced. [...] The first flu death of the 2018-2019 season has already occurred – a healthy but unvaccinated child died in Florida – affirming the importance of getting the flu shot. (COVERED - Flu virus is a quick change artist; Forecasting flu, producing vaccine; Small improvements and a universal vaccine; Will the 2018-2019 flu season be as bad?)
MORE: https://theconversation.com/why-did-the-...ear-105095
New study shows advertising for alcohol is prevalent in UK television
https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018...102418.php
EXCERPT: A new study in the Journal of Public Health indicates that advertising for alcohol is common in British television, and may be a potential driver of alcohol use in young people. It is estimated that the rate of alcohol consumption in those over 15 in the UK is the eighth highest in Europe. Alcohol use was responsible for at least 6813 deaths in the country in 2015, and cost the NHS £3.5 billion in 2013-14. There is strong evidence that exposure to advertising or other alcohol imagery in the media increases subsequent use in adolescents. An estimated 28 million British households have at least one television and in 2015 the average viewing was 3 hours and 47 minutes a day.
[...] This study demonstrates that alcohol imagery is extremely common on UK television, occurring in over 50% of all programs broadcast and almost 50% of all advertising periods between programs. The majority of alcohol content occurred before 9 pm. Branding occurred in 18% of programs and 11% of advertisement periods and involved 122 brands, though three brands (Heineken, Corona, and Fosters) accounted for almost half of all brand appearances. Alcohol content shown on TV has an effect on the uptake of alcohol use in young people....
MORE: https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018...102418.php
https://theconversation.com/why-did-the-...ear-105095
EXCERPT: The 2017-2018 flu season was historically severe. Public health officials estimate that 900,000 Americans were hospitalized and 80,000 died from the flu and its complications. For comparison, the previous worst season from the past decade, 2010-2011, saw 56,000 deaths. In a typical season, 30,000 Americans die.
So why was the 2017-2018 season such a bad year for flu? There were two big factors. First, one of the circulating strains of the influenza virus, A(H3N2), is particularly virulent, and vaccines targeting it are less effective than those aimed at other strains. In addition, most of the vaccine produced was mismatched to the circulating A(H3N2) subtype. These problems reflect the special biology of the influenza virus and the methods by which vaccines are produced. [...] The first flu death of the 2018-2019 season has already occurred – a healthy but unvaccinated child died in Florida – affirming the importance of getting the flu shot. (COVERED - Flu virus is a quick change artist; Forecasting flu, producing vaccine; Small improvements and a universal vaccine; Will the 2018-2019 flu season be as bad?)
MORE: https://theconversation.com/why-did-the-...ear-105095
New study shows advertising for alcohol is prevalent in UK television
https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018...102418.php
EXCERPT: A new study in the Journal of Public Health indicates that advertising for alcohol is common in British television, and may be a potential driver of alcohol use in young people. It is estimated that the rate of alcohol consumption in those over 15 in the UK is the eighth highest in Europe. Alcohol use was responsible for at least 6813 deaths in the country in 2015, and cost the NHS £3.5 billion in 2013-14. There is strong evidence that exposure to advertising or other alcohol imagery in the media increases subsequent use in adolescents. An estimated 28 million British households have at least one television and in 2015 the average viewing was 3 hours and 47 minutes a day.
[...] This study demonstrates that alcohol imagery is extremely common on UK television, occurring in over 50% of all programs broadcast and almost 50% of all advertising periods between programs. The majority of alcohol content occurred before 9 pm. Branding occurred in 18% of programs and 11% of advertisement periods and involved 122 brands, though three brands (Heineken, Corona, and Fosters) accounted for almost half of all brand appearances. Alcohol content shown on TV has an effect on the uptake of alcohol use in young people....
MORE: https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018...102418.php