The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/1, Johnson) “Pulse” blog reports that a study published in the Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences found that “higher education, positive wellbeing, overall good health and higher physical functioning all contribute to women maintaining good memory health after age 80.”

Since 1991, researchers followed over 2,200 older women and found that “factors that influence cognitive function in women over 80 include: age, income, education level, race, diabetes and depressive symptoms.” The study “is part of the Women’s Health Initiative and WHI Memory Study launched by the National Institutes of Health.”

Related Links:

— “MCW researcher finds predictors of good cognitive health in older women,” Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 29, 2016.

On the front of its Business Day section, the New York Times (2/26, B1, Lieber, Subscription Publication) reported on the side effect of a recommendation “that all pregnant women and new mothers be screened for depression,” namely that women found to have postpartum depression may end up paying higher rates for “life and disability insurance” or have difficulty even getting such insurance. The concern among insurers is “the odds of you killing yourself,” or “the likelihood you will not be able to work,” depending on what type of insurance is involved.

Related Links:

— “An Insurance Penalty From Postpartum Depression,” Ron Lieber, New York Times, February 26, 2016.

HealthDay (2/28, Preidt) reported, “Half the teens seen” at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital emergency department in Providence, RI, “reported being victims of violence or cyberbullying, and a quarter reported symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” the findings of a 350-patient study published online Dec. 18 in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry suggest. The study revealed a “strong” association “between PTSD symptoms and being subjected to cyberbullying or violence, exposure to community violence, and” substance use.

Related Links:

— “Cyberbullying, Violence Linked to PTSD in Teens,” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, February 26, 2016.

In continuing coverage, the New York Times (2/25, Rabin) “Well” blog reports that a study published online Feb. 18 in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that the rate of overdose deaths from benzodiazepines quadrupled between 1996 and 2013, while the number of benzodiazepines prescribed in the US tripled over that time period.

Related Links:

— “More Overdose Deaths from Anxiety Drugs,” Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, February 25, 2016.

HealthDay (2/25, Preidt) reports, “The many behavioral problems experienced by children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders require early attention,” a review published online Feb. 23 in Pediatrics suggests. After “analyzing published studies,” researchers “identified three main types of behavioral problems among” such children, including “‘internalizing’ behaviors such as anxiety, withdrawal and depression; ‘externalizing’ behaviors such as aggression and delinquency; and other issues such as problems with social skills, attention and thought processing.” Because such behaviors “impair social interactions, academic performance and mental health,” researchers called for “strategies for early intervention.”

Related Links:

— “Study Details Dire Consequences of Fetal Alcohol Disorders,” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, February 25, 2016.