THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A HEALTHY TAN. Despite ongoing warnings concerning the risks of tanning, skin cancer caused by sun and tanning booth exposure continues to rise among women. Recent studies by the American Academy of Dermatology found people in their teens and early 20s are less likely than any other age group to use sun protection, and melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, has become the most common cancer among young women ages 25 to 29.

Society for Women’s Health Research, 1025 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036.

OSTEOPOROSIS-LINKED FRACTURES HAVE RISEN DRAMATICALLY. The hospitalization rate of people admitted for treatment of hip, pelvis, and other fractures associated with osteoporosis increased by 55 percent between 1995 and 2006. Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle and weak. Weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and prescription medication can help prevent progression of the condition.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.

MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF ALL EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS FOR CHILDHOOD POISONING involve prescription and over-the-counter medications, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After analyzing two years’ worth of data on pediatric emergency department visits for medication overdoses, researchers estimated 71,224 ER visits for unintentional medication overdoses occurred annually in children ages 18 and younger.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine, P.O. Box 628239, Orlando, FL 32862, monthly, $201/yr.

SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS HELP PREVENT DATING VIOLENCE AMONG TEENS. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of high school-age teens are hit, slapped, or beaten by an individual they are dating each year. A study of programs with instruction that promoted safer decision-making with dating partners along with lessons about healthy relationships, sexual health, and substance use resulted in reduced levels of violence up to two years later.

Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205, monthly, $110/yr.

EXERCISE IS HEALTHY FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, even those who have not exercised before becoming pregnant. According to one study, low- to no-impact activities such as aerobics, walking, resistance training, and swimming can strengthen and improve overall musculoskeletal and physiologic health as well as pregnancy-related symptoms. Exercise can ease back pain, lower blood pressure, reduce swelling, and improve postpartum depression.

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, P.O. Box, 361, Birmingham, AL 35201, monthly, $206/yr.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS INTERACT, WORK TOGETHER, OR CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT. Knowing those that work best together can help you make more nutritious food choices. For example, if you consume a small quantity of calcium, vitamin D can help your body absorb the mineral. Too much sodium can boost blood pressure. However, eating foods such as fruits and vegetables that are high in potassium can counter the harmful cardiovascular effects of a surplus of sodium.

Research at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA.

SHARING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IS WIDESPREAD AMONG TEENS and can lead to dangerous, even fatal results. A new study found 20 percent of U.S. adolescents lend or borrow medications, including antibiotics, birth control pills, and allergy medications. Taking these kinds of powerful medications can cause unpredictable interactions with other drugs people are taking or with a medical condition they might have.

Journal of Adolescent Health, Elsevier, 360 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10010, monthly, $372/yr.

CELIAC DISEASE, AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER with symptoms that are triggered by gluten—the protein content in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt—is on the rise, and specialists say the disease is often misdiagnosed. As a result, many Americans suffer with it for years, often getting incorrect diagnoses and useless treatments. If you have these symptoms—bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea after eating foods that contain gluten—see your doctor or a gastrointestinal specialist. If untreated, the condition can lead to stunted growth in children and anemia in adults.

Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA.

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