Health Report: Dec. 6, 1993

THE GOOD NEWS

-- Despite low incomes and poor access to medical care, Hispanics appear to have mortality rates from major chronic illnesses like respiratory disease, cancer and heart disease that are between 25% and 33% lower than the rates for other white Americans. Researchers speculate that one reason for the discrepancy is the stronger family ties among Hispanics.

-- The Food and Drug Administration will probably approve a long-awaited vaccine for chickenpox by spring. Each year 4 million Americans, mostly youngsters, catch chickenpox; about 9,000 develop serious complications ranging from blood infections to brain damage, and about 90 die.

THE...

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