Community Safety

Bethesda, MD – Early exposure to certain allergens and bacteria may protect children from wheezing and developing allergies as toddlers, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

New Haven, CT – Public awareness is low when it comes to risk factors for head and neck cancers, according to a study from Yale University.

Washington – One out of four teens does not wear a safety belt during every car ride, according to a report from Safe Kids Worldwide.

Silver Spring, MD – The Food and Drug Administration has approved new regulations and warning labels for “sunlamp” products such as tanning beds and tanning booths.

Washington – Motor vehicle crashes cost Americans $871 billion in economic loss and societal harm in 2010, according to a new study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Washington – A Department of Health and Human Services program intended to help reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes among people in the United States has shown some positive signs, but more work is needed, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Darien, IL – A recently launched national campaign aims to help millions of Americans improve their sleep habits and reduce their risk of the health problems associated with chronic sleep loss.

Washington – Almost 400 children drown in pools and spas every year, and more than 75 percent of those children are younger than 5, according to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Pittsburgh – Emergency department visits due to traumatic brain injuries have spiked almost 30 percent in recent years, according to a study from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Elk Grove Village, IL – The increased popularity of youth ice hockey – and a subsequent increase in injuries – has prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to renew calls for player safety.