(January 7, 2009 - Insidermedicine)

From Virginia - Kidney disease patients with either high or low blood calcium levels are increased risk of premature mortality, according to a report published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Researchers analyzed over 1200 males suffering from chronic kidney disease but who did not need dialysis. They found that patients with unusually high blood calcium levels were at 31% increased risk of death, while those with unusually low levels saw their risk increase by 21%.

From Philadelphia - According to a report published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, childhood cancer survivors are more likely to develop several health conditions that consequently raise their risk of heart disease. Researchers examined information on over 8,500 pediatric cancer survivors and nearly 3,000 of their siblings. They found that survivors were 70% more likely to have diabetes than their siblings, 60% more likely to be taking a medication for cholesterol, and 2x more likely to be on medication for hypertension.

And finally, from New York - Obesity is now considered as big a health threat as smoking, according to a report published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The 15 year study focused on quality adjusted life years (QALY)--a measurement of both quantity and quality of life, in regards to health. Though smoking was found to cause more mortality, obesity--which rose 85% over the course of the study--was found to have caused more disease.