A study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has shown that the younger individuals are when they begin using alcohol, the more likely it is that they will become alcohol abusers or alcoholics. The study showed that young people who began drinking before age 15 were four times more likely to become alcoholics and twice as likely to become alcohol abusers than those who began drinking at age 21. The prevalence of abuse and dependence declined significantly as the age of first use rose. This study adds new evidence that underage drinking can jeopardize health and lifetime prospects. For more information on alcohol disorders, call NIAAA at 301- 443-3860 or visit their web site at <http://www.niaaa.nih.gov>. --an NIH Word on Health report, June 1998

According to a study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), sexually active college-age women have a high incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Genital infections with certain types of HPV have been closely associated with cell abnormalities of the cervix and cervical and other cancers, making it especially important for sexually active young women to have regular Pap smears. Although most HPV infections do not progress to cancer, these infections currently cannot be prevented, other than by avoiding skin-to-skin contact, and often do not cause visible symptoms. For more information on STDs and other infectious diseases, call NIAID at 301-496-5717 or visit their web site at <http://www.niaid.nih.gov>. --an NIH Word on Health report, June 1998

Losing weight and cutting down on salt can lessen and even eliminate the need for blood pressure-lowering medications in the elderly, according to the results of a study co-funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Nearly one third of the participants in the study--who had been taking a single drug for their high blood pressure--were able to stop taking it. By reducing the salt in their diet, the men and women between the ages of 60 and 80 reduced their need for high blood pressure drugs by 31 percent; by losing up to 10 pounds, by 36 percent; and by doing both, by 53 percent. High blood pressure, which is defined as a systolic pressure above 140 mmHg and a diastolic pressure above 90 mmHg, is extremely common in the elderly and is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other serious health problems. For more information on high blood pressure, call the NHLBI Information Center at 301-251-1222 or visit the NHLBI web site at <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/>. For more information on aging and health, call NIA at 301-496-1752 or visit their website at <http://www.nih.gov/nia/>. --an NIH Word on Health report, June 1998