Health - Disease in China, Low Cost Prescriptions, Teens Less Likely to Smoke

Maureen Fitzgerald
Fox 61 News

May 6, 2008, 8:48 AM EDT

Health - Disease in China, Low Cost Prescriptions, Teens Less Likely to Smoke

Alarming numbers about a child-hood disease that is quickly spreading in China.

So far, there are more than 11, 000 cases of a severe strain of hand-foot- and mouth disease. The strain we see here in the US isn't nearly this serious.

24 kids have died from this in China.

It can cause swelling of the brain. Three provinces have been hardest hit, including the Capitol city of Beijing.

All of the children infected are younger than 6, and most are younger than 2.

Government leaders are lashing out at health officials, for not letting them know about the risk sooner, especially as thousands are expected to travel to China for the Olympic Summer Games.

There's no vaccine or treatment for hand-foot-mouth disease.

Most kids recover after several days. As food costs continue to rise day by day, the United Nations is trying to figure out what can be done about it.

Next Monday, members of a new UN task force will meet to tackle the issue.

The UN secretary general is asking world leaders to join him in a special strategy session in June.

He's trying to come up with ways to fight soaring food costs, and food shortages worldwide.

Starting this week, the retailer will offer several common drugs for women,

at $10.00 for a 90-day supply.

It applies to roughly 350 generic drugs.

Nearly all of the generics in the $4 prescription drug plan, are also part of this expanded deal.

They include the Osteoperosis drug Fosamax and Tamoxifen, which is commonly diagnosed for breast cancer patients.

It seems these days, fewer teens are lighting up. Boston University researchers found that teenagers who live in places with strict smoking bans are 40% less likely to smoke themselves.

In towns without a smoking ban, 10% of teens kept smoking.