Health Highlights: Jan. 25, 2007

About two months ago, a lead-contaminated squirrel was found in the area. That prompted the state Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Environmental Protection to send out warning letters that advise adults to eat squirrel no more than twice a week. Pregnant women and children should eat even less, theAPreported.

Lead can damage the kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cell production.

-----

Many Dangerous Distractions for Teen Drivers: Study

More and more American teens face driving distractions that contribute to thousands of fatal crashes each year, concludes a study by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Co.

Distractions include cell phones, passengers, fatigue, or worries about grades or relationships, theAssociated Pressreported.

The study, released Thursday, did find that teens are heeding warnings about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Researchers surveyed more than 5,600 high school students in 2006. The teens were asked about the types of unsafe things that happen when their peers drive, theAPreported.

The study found that 90 percent of the teens said they rarely or ever drive after using alcohol or drugs. But the same percentage reported seeing peers talk on cell phones while driving and more than 50 percent said they'd seen peers use hand-held video games, listening devices, or send text messages while driving.

In addition, about 75 percent of the teens said they'd seen peers driving while tired or dealing with strong emotions, such as concerns about relationships or grades, theAPreported. More than 90 percent said they'd seen other teens speed and about 50 percent said they sometimes drive at least 10 mph over the speed limit.

U.S. teens have a traffic fatality rate four times higher than drivers aged 25 to 69, based on miles driven, according to U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. In 2005, about 5,600 American teens were killed in traffic crashes and about 7,500 were driving cars involved in fatal crashes.

-----