the national sleep foundation polled ppl of different racial groups and found that there were both similarities and differences. all groups reported getting less sleep than they wanted, and the vast majority of every group knew that lack of sleep led to health disorders. with that said, here’s the interesting stuff.

While watching TV was the activity most often performed every night or almost every night for all ethnic groups within one hour of going to bed, Asians were less likely than their counterparts to report doing so (52% vs. 75% Blacks, 72% Hispanics and 64% Whites).

Asians were much more likely to have been on the computer or Internet every night or almost every night than the other ethnic groups in the hour before bed (51% vs. 22% Whites, 20% Blacks and 20% Hispanics).

Meanwhile, Blacks were much more likely to have reported praying or doing another religious activity during this time every night or almost every night than their counterparts (71% vs. 45% Hispanics, 32% Whites and 18% Asians).

Hispanics tended to complete household chores every night or almost every night more often in the hour before bed time than their counterparts (41% vs. 33% Blacks, 25% Whites and 24% Asians).

Blacks (10%) and Hispanics (10%) were both more likely to report having sex every night or almost every night in the one hour before they went to bed than Whites (4%) and Asians (1%). [尸zed: oh come on...]

Asians were the least likely ethnic group to have consumed alcohol within one hour of bed time every night or almost every night (1% vs. 7% Whites, 4% Blacks and 4% Hispanics).

Whites are most likely to sleep with their pets — as well as more likely to sleep with their spouse or significant others. Sixteen percent of white respondents say they sleep with a pet, and 72% say they sleep with their partners. In comparison, only 4% of Asians, 4% of Hispanics, and 2% of black people let the pet on the bed. But the space isn’t always saved for a spouse or partner, apparently. Only 48% of blacks and Asians sleep with a ‘’significant other,” and 54% of Hispanics.

Recession-related stresses affected sleep to different degrees, with Hispanics and blacks more affected than whites or Asians.

Overall, Asians were the most likely ethnic group to say they get a good night’s sleep at least a few nights a week (84% vs. 72% Hispanics, 68% Whites and 66% Blacks), and Asians were also the least likely to have been asked about or discussed sleep with a HCP or doctor (31% vs. 56% Whites, 48% Hispanics and 45% Blacks).

i the skimmed about half the report which is huge. answering all the questions must’ve been a big snore.

from reuters:

LONDON (Reuters) – Intelligence comes second only to smoking as a predictor of heart disease, scientists said on Wednesday, suggesting public health campaigns may need to be designed for people with lower IQs if they are to work.

Research by Britain’s Medical Research Council (MRC) found that lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores were associated with higher rates of heart disease and death, and were more important indicators than any other risk factors except smoking.

the less intelligent u are, the less likely u are to understand that eating healthy and working out help u live longer. but being sickly also probably lowers ur IQ. there’s also the factor of future time orientation. ppl w/ lower IQ tend to have lower future time orientation and so even if u understand the risk factors, u don’t have the willpower to defer gratification.

i thought this line was the best however:

“Public health campaigns should focus on early life factors that have been shown to influence IQ levels and tackle social inequalities,” she said in a comment on the study.

“At the same time, the public health messages for known risk factors such as diet may need to be simplified.”

hahaha! ouch… b/c obviously it doesn’t already make enough sense that unhealthy eating and not working out lead to health problems.

DNA testing is mandated by the state for several genetic diseases. what may not be well-known is that some states keep ur kid’s DNA information indefinitely and may even share that information along with the baby’s name. Here are state-by-state differences on DNA data retention.

“Physicians will not be bullied into bankruptcy. Our system needs reform, but what’s being hammered out in Washington is not the answer.

Two weeks ago the Mayo Clinic shocked the nation when it closed the doors of one of its Arizona clinics to patients on Medicare. Just this past June President Obama himself praised Mayo as a model of medical efficiency noting that Mayo gives “the highest quality care at costs well below the national norm.” If Mayo feels compelled to walk away from this government-run program, others will surely follow. The nation must understand why.”

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