Health Behavior News ServiceA resource for the news media and public to find the best and most recent evidence-based scientific research to help people make decisions about their health and health care.Successful Ex-Smokers Show Trust in Health Care, Upbeat Attitude- (Found June 19, 2008 ) People who have successfully quit smoking cigarettes are more likely to have visited a trusted health care provider and to report good mental health than current smokers, according to a recent study. 722http://www.hbns.org/news/exsmokers07-22-05.cfm Condom Slip-Ups Invite STD Infection- (Found June 19, 2008 ) Condom-use errors are associated with gonorrhea infection in men, according to a recent study of patients at a clinic specializing in sexually transmitted diseases. The finding highlights the importance of promoting not only consistent condom usage, but also correct usage. 722http://www.hbns.org/news/condom07-22-05.cfm Media Can Help Increase HIV Testing- (Found June 19, 2008 ) When the media encourage HIV testing, more people get tested, according to a new systematic review of studies. Changing behavior is a complex process that involves several factors. Mass media can be used to educate and raise awareness about a topic and can enhance appropriate utilization of health care services, according to lead review author Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. 726http://www.hbns.org/news/HIV07-26-05.cfm Opiates Better Than Sedatives for Treating Newborns in Withdrawal- (Found June 19, 2008 ) For years, sedatives have been the gold standard for treating newborns suffering from opiate withdrawal. However, new research suggests that opiates themselves are superior to sedatives for treating infants born to women who used heroin or methadone while pregnant. 726http://www.hbns.org/news/opiates07-26-05.cfm Conspiracy Theories Affect Birth Control Use by Black Men and Women- (Found June 19, 2008 ) In a recent survey of 500 black Americans, only half believed that the government tells the truth about the safety and side effects of new birth control methods. 809http://www.hbns.org/news/birthcontrol08-09-05.cfm Drugs That Improve Parkinsons Symptoms May Not Slow Disease Progression- (Found June 19, 2008 ) A class of drugs known as MAO-B inhibitors may be effective in improving motor symptoms in people with early Parkinsons disease and may delay the need for treatment with other drugs, according to a new systematic review of current evidence. 823http://www.hbns.org/news/parkinsons08-23-05.cfm Dietary Supplement Chitosan Not Yet Proven Effective for Weight Loss- (Found June 19, 2008 ) The dietary supplement chitosan shows some promise in treating overweight and obesity but has not been shown conclusively to be an effective weight loss aid, according to a new systematic review of current evidence. 823http://www.hbns.org/news/chitosan08-23-05.cfm Treatment for Rare Liver Disease Increases Mortality Risk- (Found June 19, 2008 ) Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis who are treated with methotrexate have an increased risk of death, according to a new systematic review of studies. 823http://www.hbns.org/news/mortality08-23-05.cfm Adalimumab Plus Methotrexate Effective for Long-Standing Rheumatoid Arthritis- (Found June 19, 2008 ) For people with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, combined treatment with the new biologic drug adalimumab and methotrexate is about five times more effective than methotrexate alone, according to a new systematic review of studies. 815http://www.hbns.org/news/arthritis08-15-05.cfm Echinacea Does Not Prevent Colds, More Evidence Shows- (Found June 19, 2008 ) The herbal supplement echinacea, when taken in certain forms, may help shorten the duration and severity of cold symptoms but is not effective for preventing the common cold, according to a systematic review of current evidence. 124http://www.cfah.org/hbns/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1196 |