Early death more likely in areas
with lots of alcohol outlets
Toronto: Scientists have found a link
between the density of both cheque-cashing places and alcohol outlets in a given
neighbourhood and the risk of premature death. The relation was stronger in men
than in women, according to Dr Flora Matheson and Dr Joel Ray from St Michael's
Hospital, Canada.
The findings suggest that the strategic
placement of cheque-cashing places and alcohol outlets in certain areas may
provide local residents with ready access to quick cash and the purchase of
alcohol.
Matheson, a medical sociologist and
research scientist, said this is particularly true in the holiday season, when
banks may be closed, people need money quickly and alcohol sales go up
dramatically. However, the authors do not say that cheque-cashing or alcohol
outlets directly play a role in premature deaths. Their survey of Toronto's 140
neighbourhoods found that men had a 1.25 times greater risk of premature death
in areas with high densities of cheque cashing places.
They had a 1.36 times
greater risk of premature death in areas with high densities of alcohol outlets
- alcohol and beer stores and on-premise licensed facilities such as bars.
The premature mortality rate was 96.3 for every 10,000 males
and 55.9 for every 10,000 females ages 20-59 years. The researchers looked at
people ages 20-59 only, so as to eliminate causes of premature death
traditionally related to newborns, children and seniors.
Intentional self-harm,
accidental poisoning and liver disease are among the top five causes of
premature death among men ages 20-59, and many of these deaths are highly
preventable, they said. A substantial amount of research has been conducted on
the relation between neighbourhoods and residents' health.
Neighbourhood
disadvantage is associated with poor psychological and physical health.
However, the current study already factors in neighbourhood income and crime
rates.
While there is some compelling evidence around limiting the
number of alcohol outlets and hours of operation, less is known about
cheque-cashing places. Researchers said this is the first study to examine the
relation between cheque-cashing places and premature death.
The study was published
in the journal BMJ Open.
Source: www.zeenews.india.com 29.12.2014
Blood groups A, B, AB at higher
diabetes risk
London: Compared to individuals with
blood type O, women with blood groups A, B and AB are at higher risk of
developing Type 2 diabetes, a study has found.
"Our findings support a strong
relationship between blood group and diabetes risk, with participants with the
O blood type having a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes," said Guy
Fagherazzi from Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health in
France.
For the study, the researchers
collected data from more than 80,000 women in France followed between 1990 and
2008.
The results showed that, compared to
women with group O blood, women with group A were 10 percent more likely to
develop Type 2 diabetes and those with group B 21 percent more likely.
The AB group was 17 percent more likely to develop Type 2
diabetes.
Compared with O- women,
the highest increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes was found in B+ (35
percent increased risk), followed by AB+ (26 percent), A- (22 percent), A+ (17
percent).
"The present study shows for the first time in a large
prospective cohort that specific ABO blood groups are associated with an
increased Type 2 diabetes risk," Fagherazzi said.
The authors say that the reasons behind the association are
currently unknown, but could be related to a number of factors.
It has been suggested that the human ABO locus might
influence endothelial or inflammation markers.
ABO grouping is also associated with various molecules known
to be connected to Type 2 diabetes.
The study was published in the journal Diabetologia.
Source: www.zeenews.india.com
29.12.2014
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