Children Recall More of What They See Than Read
If you want to make an impact with children, seeing is remembering, according to a new study published in the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Educational Psychology. While earlier studies found that adults remember more of what they read than what they see on television, psychologists Juliette H. Walma van der Molen, Ph.D.and Tom H.A. van der Hoort, Ph.D. of the Center for Child and Media Studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands found the exact opposite with children's recall.
This study tested the memory of 152 fourth- and fifth-grade children (between the ages 10 and 12) on five children's news stories, either in their 11-minute original televised version or verbatim print copy sans illustrations or pictures. Across the board, the children who watched the television news reports recalled more of what they saw than the children who read the printed accounts. The television reports were particularly effective when they were accompanied by pictures.
The study concluded that teaching materials are most effective when they utilize television's ability to convey news both verbally and visually. (202/336-5700)
Consumers Find FDA's Approval Process Too Slow
For many American consumers, the FDA's approval process for prescription drugs to over-the-counter use is too long, according to a recent study by CDB Research & Consulting, Inc.,a New York-based research and communications strategy firm.
According to the survey that included a national cross-section of 250 adults (ages: 18+) who were primarily HMO consumers (74%):
- 42 percent of HMO members believe the FDA delays too long the authorization of prescription drugs for over-the-counter use.
- 50 percent of disgruntled consumers believe that prescription drugs that have been authorized for over-the-counter use are safer than other over-the-counter products.
- Age influences consumer tolerance: Respondents age 18-34 and 55+ were more critical than not of the FDA process (31 percent and 34 percent, respectively). While 50 percent of the 34-54 age group were more accepting.
- Education was also key factor: People with a high school education or less are more likely than their college-educated counterparts to be critical of the FDA (73% vs. 60%). (Creamer Dickson Basford, 714/260-4776)
Insomnia and Night Pain Are Growing Causes for Concern
Wake up: Employees' sleeplessness is costing the country billions of dollars, according to a survey conducted by Louis Harris & Associates Inc.
According to the survey, 47 percent of U.S. workers say they have trouble sleeping and roughly 66% of these employees see their sleeplessness as having a negative effect on their job performance. This fact could be costing domestic employers $18 billion, says the study.
The study calculates that the total economic cost of sleeplessness is between $92.5 billion and $107.5 billion. Of those employees who have experienced night pain and/or sleeplessness, 40 percent attribute those symptoms to the mental stress of their job. (Louis Harris & Associates Inc., 212/539-9600)
Need for Pervasive Prostate Surgery In Question
Men over 70 should question the appropriateness of undergoing a prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer says a new study by IPRO, a healthcare quality improvement organization based in Long Island, NY. Although the rate of prostatectomies rose rapidly in the 1980's and early 1990's, recent studies have show that in patients whose life expectancy is less than 10 years, the best treatment is "conservative management" which involves physician observation and delayed hormone treatment.
The IPRO study reasons that prostate cancer spreads slowly, sometimes displaying few symptoms for 10 years or more, and many sufferers over 70 will probably die of some cause other than their cancer. (IPRO, Dr. Pascal James Imperato, 516/3267767)
Poll Contradicts Conventional Beliefs About Aging
Genesis ElderCare, healthcare provider specializing in services for America's elderly and their families, released a study it claims is the first that asks seniors how they feel about their own aging experience. It concludes that most elderly Americans characterize the quality of their lives in a more positive light than many younger Americans would expect. According to the study:
- 66 percent of Americans over 80 say they are "very satisfied" with their lives;
- 93 percent of those over 65 say they look forward to each new day;
- 86 percent of those over 65 enjoy learning; and
- 89 percent say "I enjoy keeping up with what's happening in the world." (410/296-1000)