Our weekly roundup of the latest news in the world of health.

Public health officials said this week that antibiotic-resistant infections kill 23,000 Americans each year. They outlined a campaign to fight drug-resistant bacteria. But there was some good news. The bacteria known as MRSA are causing fewer infections, a study published this week finds. Other new research found that obesity rates have declined in teenagers. And two more new studies add to the evidence that screening for colon cancer saves lives.

Stay well.

This Issue:

CDC Sounds Alarm on Antibiotic Resistance
MRSA Infections Drop; Cases Linked to Pig Manure
Teen Weight Levels Off, Habits Improve
Studies: Colon Cancer Screening Saves Lives

In the News:

CDC Sounds Alarm on Antibiotic Resistance
Drug-resistant bacteria cause at least 23,000 deaths in the United States each year. They infect more than 2 million people every year. And a focused campaign is needed to keep antibiotic resistance from wiping out our ability to cure infectious disease, U.S. health officials said this week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched that campaign with a report and news conference. Officials listed 3 types of bacteria as an "urgent" threat and others as less urgent but still worrisome. The report outlines how antibiotic resistance has increased the risks of dialysis, cancer treatment and surgery. Excess use of antibiotics is the main cause. Up to half of the antibiotics prescribed in the United States are not necessary, the report said. It also called for an end to the use of antibiotics to promote growth of livestock. The CDC officials described a 4-pronged strategy to fight antibiotic resistance. One tactic will be to prevent both infections and the spread of resistance. Officials will help track resistant bacteria here and around the world. They also will push for wiser use of antibiotics and development of new ones. HealthDay News wrote about the campaign.

MRSA Infections Drop; Cases Linked to Pig Manure
Even as U.S. officials announced a strategy to fight antibiotic resistance, a new study found that one resistant infection is declining. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused about 80,400 infections in 2011, the study found. That's 30,000 fewer than in 2005. The largest drop occurred in infections that began in hospitals. They fell by about half. Hospitals have made intense efforts to prevent the spread of MRSA and other resistant infections. A second study published this week suggests a link between exposure to pig manure and MRSA infections that begin in the community. Researchers compared 5,700 people with MRSA or skin and soft tissue infections with 3,000 healthy patients. Then they looked at people's home addresses. People who were infected were more likely to live near pig farms or fields spread with pig manure. Public health officials say the use of antibiotics in livestock animals has contributed to antibiotic resistance. The drugs often are used when animals are not sick. The purpose is to help them grow. These resistant bacteria can spread to people through eating meat or contact with animals. The journal JAMA Internal Medicine published the studies. HealthDay News wrote about them.

Teen Weight Levels Off, Habits Improve
Teens have improved some of their health habits, and excess weight has leveled off, the latest national survey suggests. The study was based on national surveys of kids in grades 6 through 10. The survey is conducted every 4 years. The first of 3 surveys began in 2001. The last one ended in 2010. In all, 34,000 teens were involved. They were asked their weight, height and questions about diet, exercise and screen time. Between the second and third surveys, the obesity rate leveled off and the rate of overweight teens dropped a bit. Teens reported eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer sweets. They also reported having fewer sweetened drinks. They ate breakfast on weekdays more often. They were more active and spent less time watching TV. However, video game and computer use went up a bit. The improvements were small. And researchers said there's a long way to go. Most teens are not meeting the goal of an hour of exercise per day, for example. The journal Pediatrics published the study this week. HealthDay News wrote about it.

Studies: Colon Cancer Screening Saves Lives
Screening tests for colon cancer reduce deaths by one-third to one-half, 2 new studies find. The first study included nearly 89,000 health professionals. Researchers kept track of them for about 22 years. People who had a screening colonoscopy that found no problems were 56% less likely to die of colon cancer than those who had no screening tests. Colon cancer deaths were 40% lower for people who had a screening sigmoidoscopy that found no problems. Both tests look at the inside of the colon. A colonoscopy looks at the whole colon. A sigmoidoscopy looks at only the lower portion. A second study randomly divided 46,500 older adults into 3 groups. Two groups received fecal occult blood tests. This test looks for blood in the stool, which can indicate possible colon cancer. The third group received "usual care." Few people in this group got the test. Compared with the usual-care group, colon cancer deaths were reduced 32% for the group that got annual fecal occult blood tests and 22% lower in the group that got tests every 2 years. The New England Journal of Medicine published the studies this week. HealthDay News wrote about them.

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The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.