STAT Medical News: Obesity Surgery Surges in Popularity

May 31, 2006 <p> -- OBESITY SURGERY RATES SKYROCKET New data published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals Americans' increasing use of surgery to manage their obesity. The new study, by researchers from the University of Louisville, shows that the number of patients in the U.S. receiving obesity surgery increased from about 14,000 in 1998 to more than 82,000 in 2002. Gastric banding, one new surgical technique, may contribute to the popularity of the surgery. Banding is more expensive than traditional gastric bypass surgery, but is less invasive and patients have a shorter recovery period.

SEX CAN MAKE A BABY-- BUT CAN'T MAKE BABY HURRY Contrary to popular belief, new research from Ohio State University shows that sexual intercourse during the final weeks of pregnancy does not hasten the onset of labor. The study, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, included 93 women, half of whom reported having intercourse in the 37th week of pregnancy. Results showed that sex did not induce labor any sooner. If anything, the women who had sexual intercourse near the end of pregnancy delivered slightly later -- at an average of 39.9 weeks compared to 39.3 weeks for women who did not have sex late in pregnancy.

MULTIPLE C-SECTION RISKS Women who undergo repeated Caesarian-section operations face an increasing risk of injury, hysterectomy and blood transfusions, as well as longer hospital stays and a higher likelihood of being admitted to intensive care with each successive c-section. Researchers from the University of Utah analyzed data on more than 30,000 c-sections performed when the mother was not in labor. They found that health risks to the mother increased with each additional c-section, but that risk of the mother's death did not increase. The authors, writing today in Obstetrics & Gynecology, say that it is important for women to know these risks because of the increasing popularity of c-section delivery in the U.S.

CANADA BEATS U.S. IN HEALTH CARE U.S. residents are less healthy than Canadians since healthcare in Canada is more accessible than in the U.S., researchers from Cambridge Hospital claim. Published in the American Journal of Public Health, their new study shows that Canadians are 7 percent more likely than Americans to have a regular doctor and more likely to receive preventive medical care. The U.S. spends twice as much as Canada on healthcare, yet Canadians live about 2 to 3 years longer. The authors raise questions about what Americans are getting out of the money spent on healthcare.

STAT is a brief look at the latest medical research and is compiled by Joanna Schaffhausen, who holds a doctorate degree in behavioral neuroscience. She works in the ABC News Medical Unit, evaluating medical studies, abstracts and news releases.