Chronic health problems, post-op opioids and lot more

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Few teens with chronic health problems have plans to take charge of their own care

Less than one in five teens with chronic health problems have made plans with their pediatrician to take over responsibility for their own care and transition to seeing doctors who treat adults, a U.S. study suggests. Researchers examined data from surveys of parents and caregivers of almost 21,000 children ranging in age from 12 to 17, including about 5,900 who were being treated for ongoing medical issues.

Post-op opioids used far more in the U.S. than Hong Kong

Head and neck surgery patients in Hong Kong are far less likely to be prescribed opioids than patients undergoing similar surgeries in the U.S., new research shows. "There's such a huge separation in opioid prescribing practices between the United States and institutions on the other side of the world," Dr. Ryan J. Li of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland told Reuters Health by phone. "There has to be room to meet somewhere in the middle in terms of utilization of opioids."

China reports new African swine fever outbreak in Inner Mongolia

A new outbreak of African swine fever occurred on a farm in northern China's Inner Mongolia, the agriculture ministry said on Monday, the second in the region, as the highly contagious disease continues to spread rapidly across the world's top producer of pigs. Eight hogs were dead and 14 were infected on the farm of 159 animals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on its website.

Nairobi governor orders investigation into deaths of 12 babies at the maternity hospital

The governor of Nairobi found the bodies of 12 infants in the mortuary of a hospital in the capital - an unusually high figure even amid declining standards of health care in Kenya - when he made a surprise visit to the facility at the weekend. Governor Mike Sonko on Monday ordered an investigation into the matter and suspended senior staff, his office said.

A child dies every five seconds, and most are preventable deaths - U.N.

An estimated 6.3 million children died before their 15th birthdays in 2017, or one every five seconds, mostly due to a lack of water, sanitation, nutrition and basic healthcare, according to report by United Nations agencies on Tuesday. The vast majority of these deaths – 5.4 million – occur in the first five years of life, with newborns accounting for around half of the deaths, the report said.

Almost one in 11 U.S. tweens and teens vape cannabis

Roughly one in 11 American middle and high school students have used cannabis in e-cigarettes, a study suggests. In 2016, researchers surveyed more than 20,000 youth ages nine to 19, including about 5,200 children and teens who said they had vaped at least once.

Saudi Arabia reports cholera infection in the southern province

Saudi Arabia confirmed one cholera case and said three others were suspected in an area bordering Yemen, where an epidemic has killed more than 2,000 people, Saudi state TV said, citing a health ministry official. The report late on Sunday said the patients, identified only as non-Saudis, were receiving care at al-Mauwassem General Hospital in Jizan, about 1,000 km (620 miles) southwest of the capital, Riyadh.

Many cancer patients' relatives might get gene tests if the price is right

Cancer patients' close relatives might be willing to get tests to see if they share genetic mutations that put them at risk for tumors, too, if testing were accessible and affordable, a U.S. experiment suggests. Researchers asked 741 people with one of 30 cancer-associated mutations and 360 of their "first degree" relatives - a parent, sibling or child - to invite other close relatives to get their genes sequenced for about $50 - about one tenth of the standard cost.

Coke eyes cannabis-infused drink market

Coca-Cola Co is closely watching the fast-growing marijuana drinks market for a possible entry that would expand the world's largest soft drink maker's ambitions further away from sugary sodas. Coca-Cola announced its interest in a statement on Monday, responding to a report from BNN Bloomberg that said it was in talks with Canada's Aurora Cannabis Inc to develop drinks infused with cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive chemical found in marijuana.

China's pig fever outbreak a boon for chicken farmers

An outbreak of African swine fever in China is proving to be a windfall for chicken farmers, helping drive up prices of the country's second-most popular meat to two-and-a-half year highs. With pork in short supply as authorities try to contain the highly contagious disease, shoppers are turning to chicken as a substitute, with some diners also concerned about safety.