Daily Dose of Health News: Lack of social support risk factor for depression in pregnancy, University of Michigan study finds

The study was meant to look specifically at women’s mental health status while pregnant, rather than the more widely studied post-partum depression, because it can have severe health implications. An estimated 12.7 percent of pregnant women experience depression.

“Depression has been associated with adverse outcomes for both mom and baby, including pre-term delievery, pre-eclampsia, sleep disturbances for both mom and baby, and maternal-infanct attachment effects, in addition to its impact on the mother’s daily quality of life,” said Christie Lancaster, lead author and U-M clinical lecturer in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department.

Authors in the study concluded it's important for clinicians to be aware of the risk factors for depression for effective screening of pregnant women. The study was published in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Colds are costly, says quoted U-M research

At least 1 billion people suffer colds in the United States every year, and there's really no surefire way to get rid of them, a Shreveport Times article said today.

That's a big deal since at least 22 million school days are lost every year in the U.S., according to U-M research quoted in the piece dispelling the myths of surefire cures for the common cold.

In all, that likely adds up to $40 billion a year in lost productivity, according to U-M research.