Lack of Sleep, Drug Use Linked

A lack of sleep influences the spread of adolescent drug use in teens’ social networks, a new study asserts. Using social network data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, researchers mapped the social networks of 8,349 adolescents in grades 7 through 12. They found clusters of poor sleep behavior and marijuana use that extended up to four degrees of separation in the social network. The researchers, whose findings will be published in the journal PLoS One, also said that teens that are at the center of the network are at greater risk of poor sleep, which in turn means they are more likely to use marijuana. Previous studies have shown that behaviors such as happiness, obesity and smoking can spread within adult social networks.

Submitted by: Health Day News

Health Reform to Benefit

Although many provisions of the health reform legislation won’t fully take effect until 2014, some benefits will occur this year. The Medicare Part D donut hole will begin to close and a temporary high risk poll will provide health coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. In September, young people will be able to stay on their parents' health-care plans through the age of 26, and it will be illegal to bar coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. In addition, it will be illegal to put lifetime limits on the dollar value of coverage.

Submitted by: MHH Reporting

Loneliness Increases Blood Pressure

Loneliness Increases Blood Pressure: Loneliness can increase a person’s blood pressure, according to a new study. University of Chicago researchers surveyed 229 people ages 50 to 68 and asked participants to rate their feelings about statements such as "I lack companionship," "I feel in tune with the people around me" and "My social relationships are superficial." The participants were monitored for five years. People who ranked as feeling most lonely had blood pressure levels 14.4 points higher than those who felt the least lonely, according to the study, which is reported in the journal Psychology and Aging.

Submitted by: The Los Angeles Times,