The Times-Picayune recently published an intriguing article about high rates of depression among New Orleans middle-school students. The correlation between the youth ad their exposure to the high rates of violence in the city is hard to miss.

Check out the article below or click here to read the full story on NOLA.com.

“New Orleans middle-school students cite symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress at much higher rates than typical teenagers, according to data based on interviews collected by a local non-profit organization. Perhaps not surprising in a city with the highest murder rate in the country, the interviews conducted by the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies also showed the New Orleans children had elevated rates of witnessing violence and feeling concerned about their safety.

The screenings were part of a federally funded teen pregnancy prevention program the IWES has run in schools and churches since 2010. As part of the program, the group’s team interviewed children for over a year beginning in the summer of 2011 about their mental health, asking specific questions to figure out what could be contributing to their problems. . . .”

Every year sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, cost the U.S. health care system $17 billion—and cost individuals even more in immediate and long-term health consequences. April is STD Awareness month, an annual observance to call attention to the impact of STDs and promote STD testing across the United States.

A new campaign targeted at Baton Rouge youth is helping to raise awareness about getting tested in Louisiana about these startling statistics. Check it out online here, or on Facebook for more information.

To read the CDC’s full story, click here.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) and BioDistrict New Orleans recently signed a MOU highlighting a new partnership designed to promote New Orleans as a hub for healthcare innovation.

The healthcare and biosciences industries are rapidly growing in New Orleans, which Dr. James A. Richardson, John Rhea Alumni Professor of Economics and director of the E. J. Ourso College of Business, has estimated to generate 34,000 new or retained jobs and $24 billion in economic activity over the next 20 years. By working together, along with their respective partners, the organizations will strive to improve population health outcomes, accelerate economic growth and employee/labor productivity, provide broader access to quality healthcare, and increase research funding for area Universities through educational training and workforce development opportunities.

Click here to read the full story.

Household cleaning products may contain toxic substances linked to health problems such as asthma, allergic reactions, and cancer, according to a new report by the Environmental Working Group.

The environmental group rated more than 2,000 household cleaners — from laundry soaps and stain removers to bathroom cleaners and floor care products. Products are graded A to F based on the safety of the ingredients and how well the maker discloses those ingredients.

Read the full article here.

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed sweeping rules to curtail food-borne illnesses that kill thousands of Americans annually — and, in the process, to transform itself into an agency that prevents contamination, not one that merely investigates outbreaks.

The rules, drafted with an eye toward strict standards in California and some other states, enable the implementation of the landmark Food Safety Modernization Act that President Obama signed two years ago in response to a string of deadly outbreaks of illness from contaminated spinach, eggs, peanut butter and imported produce.

The first proposed rule would require domestic and overseas producers of food sold in the U.S. to craft a plan to prevent and deal with contamination of their products. The plans would be open to federal audits. The second rule would address contamination of fruit and vegetables during harvesting.

Click here to read more from the LA Times.

Did you know that due to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Law of 2008, which is now being enforced, all Americans w/ health plans that include mental health benefits can finally expect equity in their coverage? Meaning a health plan may not enforce a treatment limitation or financial requirement on mental health/substance abuse benefits unless the same limit is placed on medical benefits.

Check out the full story from the Huffington post for more information by clicking here.

A new study suggests that being physically inactive can be as hazardous to our health as smoking. While researchers differ on specifics, they all point to the fact that laziness and resulting obesity can be linked to similar health hazards and even death, just as tobacco use.

Check out the full story here.

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), in partnership with the LSUHSC School of Public Health, recently compared teen tobacco rates to the national average in response to results from the 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) that highlighted growing trends in tobacco use among African American youth and youth adults. The startling results showed that in Louisiana, high tobacco prevalence is not unique to African Americans. In fact, Louisiana’s teen tobacco rates remain higher than the national average, regardless of race.

In 2011, approximately 36 percent of African Americans and 39 percent of White high school students in Louisiana were tobacco users. These figures experience little change from 2009; this suggests persistently high consumption patterns for both racial groups. The only discernible difference in the data is between middle and high school students. A statistically significant increase in tobacco utilization is observed between middle and high school students regardless of race or type of tobacco product.

Click here to read the full release, learn more about TFL and see how you can get involved.

Click here to read the data brief with more details on Louisiana youth tobacco usage.

For more information about the DEFY program, click here.

Research is continuing to find that inflammation is at the root of many medical conditions and diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, joint pain, allergies, digestive issues, skin problems and more. Thus, we should try to  include these 5 anti-inflammatory foods in our daily diets so we can reduce our risk of these conditions and improve our health.

Click here to check out the article.

Dr. Russell Brewer, Director of HIV, STDs, and Reproductive Health at LPHI, recently wrote a blog post detailing the MSM Global Forum pre-conference from his perspective. While his post can currently be found on the AIDS United site, Stay Healthy Louisiana is pleased to share his words with our readers.

“The theme of the MSM Global Forum pre-conference held on July 21, 2012 was “From Stigma to Strength.” This theme could not be more fitting given that MSM from all corners of the world experience stigma, homophobia, criminalization, and discrimination in their everyday lives. These experiences affect their ability to access HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The MSM Global Forum pre-conference began with an announcement by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) that she has introduced a new bill called “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Act of 2012″ that lays out a policy and financial framework to creating an AIDS- free generation in the United States and worldwide. It’s great to see policy makers taking a leadership role in ending the HIV epidemic.

The introduction of the next speaker (the Hon. Michael Kirby with the Global Commission on HIV and the Law) by Robert Suttle, Assistant Director of the SERO project (www.seroproject.com) provided a face and story of an individual (Robert Suttle) who was convicted and incarcerated in Louisiana for HIV non-disclosure. I’ve read about HIV criminalization and how it perpetuates stigma but I’ve never actually heard a story from someone who was impacted by this law. The presentation that followed by the Hon. Michael Kirby really hit home for me in terms of the devastating impact of HIV among MSM not only in the United States but also globally and how laws that criminalize MSM will continue to fuel the epidemic. For example, Michael Kirby mentioned that 60% of new infections in the world are among MSM and fewer than 10% of MSM worldwide have access to treatment and preventive services. In addition, 41 of 54 countries that are part of the Commonwealth still criminalize MSM. We need leadership, education, and mobilization to help repeal these laws.

Later on during the day, Maurice Tomlinson, Legal Advisor with AIDS Free World gave the first Robert Carr Memorial Lecture to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late LGBT activist Dr. Robert Carr.  Maurice describes himself as an accidental activist.  He actually wanted to be a patent lawyer but instead ended up being an advocate for all forms of marginalization that provide a safe harbor for HIV.  Maurice talked about his efforts to challenge the anti-buggery (male same sex intimacy) law in Jamaica.  In a recent survey, 82% of Jamaican people indicated that they were prejudiced against gay people. Maurice mentioned that in order for the law to be repealed, there needs to be ground swell support in the country and for the last few years, he and other activists have embarked on a plan to change the hearts and minds of Jamaicans through public education, walks and stands for tolerance, and other strategies. His presentation could not have stressed more the importance of challenging and repealing  human rights violations in order to end stigma and discrimination; and create safer and more tolerant environments that enhance access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care services.”