Health Highlights: Nov. 11, 2009

Nov. 12 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

200 Million Children Have Stunted Growth: UNICEF

Stunted growth affects nearly 200 million children who don't have enough to eat, says a UNICEF report released Wednesday.

The agency said more than 90 percent of children with stunted growth are in Africa and Asia, the Associated Press reported. Last year, the rate of stunted growth in Africa was about 34 percent and 30 percent in Asia.

UNICEF also said that undernutrition is linked to more than a third of all deaths in children under 5. Without proper nutrition, children aren't able to fight off diseases and complications.

"Unless attention is paid to addressing the causes of child and maternal undernutrition today, the costs will be considerably higher tomorrow," UNICEF executive director Ann M. Veneman said in a news release, the AP reported.

UNICEF said wider use of programs to provide vitamin A supplementation and promote breast-feeding could cut the death rate in children by up to 15 percent.

"With more than 1 billion people suffering from malnutrition and hunger, international leadership and urgent action are needed," Veneman said.

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FDA to Consider Rules for Online Drug Ads

Drug makers want the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make it easier for them to market their products online.

Under current regulations for traditional media, drug ads must include a detailed list of possible side effects. That rule has severely limited their ability to advertise drugs on the Web, according to pharmaceutical companies.

In response to those concerns, the FDA will hold a two-day meeting beginning Thursday to consider developing rules for online drug advertising, the Associated Press reported.

At the meeting, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America will suggest the FDA develop a logo that could be used in ads in place of lengthy statements about drug risks. Clicking on the logo would take users to a full listing of a drug's risks.