News in brief - July 21, 2003

JAMA study describes depression treatment in minority women - CDC tips on hot pool fun in the summertime

JAMA study describes depression treatment in minority women

Medications or psychotherapy can be more effective in treating depression in low-income minority women than a referral to community mental health services, according to a study in the July 2 Journal of the American Medical Association.

Women who received medications were twice as likely to achieve a lower depression rating score after six months than were the women referred to community care. The medication group also stayed with treatment longer than the psychotherapy group and experienced more improvement. Of the women referred to community providers, about 78% did not attend even one treatment session.

CDC tips on hot pool fun in the summertime

A dip in the pool can be refreshing -- but not if it results in a stomach ache. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a series of healthy swimming tips. Young children, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk for contracting recreational water illnesses.

These illnesses are caused by breathing, swallowing or coming in contact with contaminated water and can cause skin, ear and eye infections, according to CDC. Chlorine and filtration can kill some germs but often take a while to work. In addition to pools, rivers and oceans, water parks and decorative fountains also can harbor germs that cause water-related illnesses.

More information is available online (www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming)