United Sates Health

Tobacco use among teenagers jumped by nearly one-third in the last six years, with an especially alarming increase among African American youths, federal health officials reported Thursday. Rates of tobacco use--including consumption of cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco--rose among high school students from 27.5% in 1991 to 36.4% in 1997, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tobacco use among teenagers jumped by nearly one-third in the last six years, with an especially alarming increase among African American youths, federal health officials reported Thursday. Rates of tobacco use--including consumption of cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco--rose among high school students from 27.5% in 1991 to 36.4% in 1997, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is most likely to determine whether you have surgery? Geography, believe it or not. Doctors do lots of coronary bypass surgery in Alabama, Arkansas and Michigan. Mastectomy rates are highest in the Midwest. Knee replacement surgery is very popular in the upper Midwest and the Rocky Mountain region. And back surgery is a booming business in California, the Northwest and the Rocky Mountain area, along with the Carolinas and parts of Florida and Texas.

What is most likely to determine whether you have surgery? Geography, believe it or not. Doctors do lots of coronary bypass surgery in Alabama, Arkansas and Michigan. Mastectomy rates are highest in the Midwest. Knee replacement surgery is very popular in the upper Midwest and the Rocky Mountain region. And back surgery is a booming business in California, the Northwest and the Rocky Mountain area, along with the Carolinas and parts of Florida and Texas.