Community Safety

Philadelphia — Dog-walking provides regular physical activity for many older adults. But the health benefits come with added injury risk, caution University of Pennsylvania researchers, who in a recent study found that fracture injuries among dog-walkers 65 and older more than doubled between 2004 and 2017.

Washington — Teen drivers are up to seven times more likely to be involved in a crash if they’re distracted by smartphones or other items, results of a recent National Institutes of Health study show.

Dallas — Nearly half of U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, based on a recent change in the threshold for high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association’s annual report on heart disease and stroke.

Bethesda, MD — Women 60 and older can significantly reduce their risk for cardiovascular and heart disease by adding an hour of activity each day, according to the results of a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded study.

Orlando, FL — The Partnership for Food Safety Education has launched an online tool intended to improve home cooks’ food safety behavior.

Atlanta — About half of U.S. adults don’t know all five of the most common heart attack symptoms, although awareness has increased over a recent 10-year period, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington — Pedestrian deaths in the United States are on pace to reach their highest mark in nearly 30 years, according to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Quincy, MA — Smoke alarms that are missing or not working play a role in nearly 3 out of 5 home fire-related deaths, according to a National Fire Protection Association report published in January.

Los Angeles — More than three-quarters of people injured riding standing electric scooters – commonly called “e-scooters” – are hurt as a result of a fall, results of a recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles suggest.

Columbus, OH — What’s good for your heart may be good for your blood glucose levels, results of a recent study suggest.