VIDEO: Obesity Rates Still Rising in America, Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy for Cerebral Palsy, Swine Flu Parties Discouraged by Health Experts

03.07.2009 | 1:32 min

(July 3, 2009 - Insidermedicine) From Washington - According to a report compiled by Trust for America's Health, a health advocacy group, obesity is still on the rise. The report concludes that not a single state has posted a decrease in obesity, while 23 have actually reported an increase over the past year. Overall, two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese. From France - According to research in The Lancet Neurology, deep brain stimulation may be a viable therapy for cerebral palsy. In a study of 13 patients with the condition, researchers found that after a year of deep brain stimulation, patients experienced a 24% improvement in their movement scores. Overall, brain stimulation seemed to improve functional disability, pain, and mental health-related quality of life. And finally, from London - Health experts are warning against partaking in "swine flu parties". Reports indicate that some parents are holding get-togethers with the intention of allowing their children to become infected with the virus now to build their immunity in case the virus becomes more virulent later. Health experts are warning that this could be very dangerous, as not all cases are mild, and this practice may help the virus spread further. For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Kelly Schweitzer.
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