A round-up of today's other health stories in brief
HAZARDOUS DRINKING:Heavy drinking, including alcohol-based liquids not meant to be ingested, such as cologne or cleansers, caused nearly half of all deaths among working-age men living in Izhevsk, Russia, between 2003 and 2005, The Lancet reports.
Russia has a low life expectancy, averaging 59 years in men, lead author Dr David A Leon and his associates noted but there have been wide fluctuations in death rates over the past two decades.
They examined the contribution of hazardous alcohol consumption to increased male death rates in a study of residents living in Izhevsk, "a typical Russian city of its size" (population 632,000 in 2002).
Men who died between 25 and 54 years of age from October 2003 to October 2005 were compared with randomly selected living men from the same city. After accounting for smoking and education, 43 per cent of deaths were attrib- utable to hazardous drinking.
PICTURE OF HEALTH:A novel exhibition which explores the pitfalls encountered in a two-tier medical health system opens at NUI Galway tomorrow.
Sligo-based ceramic sculptor Brigit Beemster brings her 10-piece exhibition, Laughter is the Only Exhibition: a comment on the ills of our medical healthcare system, to the NUIG art gallery for a three-week run from June 20th to July 8th.
Prof Pat Finnegan, Professor Emeritus and chairman of the Galway University Hospital's Arts Trust, will open the exhibition.
NUI Galway arts officer, Fionnuala Gallagher, said: "Brigit Beemster's ceramic sculptures are the best kept secret in Ireland. She captures the weight, relaxation, expressions and foibles of these human bodies with an understanding that is comically tender. You will laugh at your own failings."
Explaining the inspiration for her creations, Ms Beemster said: "An essential ingredient of my work is a sense of humour, because it is the best communicator and equaliser, it puts things in perspective and laughing is a crucial part of life."
The exhibition is free and open to the public 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday, and 12pm -4pm, Saturday and Sunday.
PHARMACY PRESIDENT:The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator, has appointed a new president and vice-president, the first under new legislation which provides for a lay majority on its council.
At the inaugural meeting of the new council of the PSI, Brendan Hayes, a community pharmacist based in Portumna, Co Galway, was selected president. Dr Bernard Leddy, a pharmacist from Lismore, Co Waterford, was selected vice-president.
The appointments follow the establishment by the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, of the new PSI and the membership of the society's new council. The 21 members include, for the first time, a non-pharmacist majority.
TOUGH TIMES:Young people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives are being encouraged to talk to others about it in an innovative national mental health promotion campaign called Tough Times to be unveiled today. Its key message will be that everyone goes through tough times and answers are out there.
WEB IMPLANTS:Plastic surgeons have denounced a website set up to provide women with free breast enhancements.
The website - myfree implants.com - offers women the chance to earn credits to pay for plastic surgery by posting photos of themselves on the site and chatting to men online.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) said the website was "degrading" and that the process was an entirely inappropriate way of obtaining what should be a life-changing procedure. Men who sign up to the website are given unrestricted access to all profiles.
VHI OVER-65 COVER:Following on from the travel insurance article in this supplement last week, insurer Vhi would like to point out that it does offer cover for those over 65 and that it is in fact one of the few insurers to provide cover for the over 80s. The Vhi prices quoted in last week's article were for the under 65s only. More details about policies for those outside of this age category can be found at www.vhi.ie