Research

Decline: Anemia doubles the risk of physical decline in older people, reducing their ability to live independently, a new study says.

It also shows that older people who are borderline anemic are 1.5 times more likely to decline physically than people with normal blood hemoglobin levels.

"Further research will tell us whether the treatment of anemia can prevent the progressive decline in function that eventually results in disability," said Dr. Jack Guralnik, an epidemiologist with the National Institute on Aging and co-author of the study.

The study, based at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., followed more than 1,100 adults 71 and older for more than four years.

Anemia affects at least 3.4 million Americans and occurs when the body doesn't produce enough red blood cells or the cells are prematurely destroyed.

Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, apathy and irritability.

Tips

Buzzed: Try these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology to reduce your risk of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases:

• Use insect repellent containing permethrin, which should only be applied to clothing, or DEET, which should be applied to the skin.

• On woodland trails, keep to the center of the path to avoid ticks.

• To treat bites, apply ice or products containing menthol or camphor to reduce itch.

• See your doctor if a rash develops or you develop headache, fever, dizziness or fatigue after an insect bite.

Hot news

Stressed: Patients in poor health should be encouraged to get cancer screenings when they see their doctors.

Stephen Wu, an economics professor at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., analyzed how patients' health status related to their likelihood of getting screenings and other preventive measures.

He found that sicker patients were more likely to get flu shots and cholesterol checks, but less likely to get cancer screenings like mammograms, pap smears, breast exams or prostate checks.

"There is a significant

amount of anxiety associated with cancer screens, especially among the sick, something which is not present for more routine procedures," Wu said.

Invitations for appointments or reminder calls and letters cut reduced anxiety, Wu found.

Calendar

Learn: The St. Elizabeth Holistic Health Center in Edgewood will offer a series of classes on holistic stress management for managing stress and anxiety beginning at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19. Cost is $25 per session. Reservations: (859) 578-5959 or www.stelizabeth.com and click on "Classes and Events."

Shelf help

Cranky: Your Fussy Baby (Ballantine; $13.95) by Dr. Mark Weissbluth offers insight and advice for soothing wee ones.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330; or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer .com