HEALTH

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Monday announced the addition of 14 companies to its membership roster.

NEW YORK — A physician in Mississippi is warning that one-third of the state's population could have diabetes in less than two decades, according to published reports.

The Guardian interviewed Richard deShazo of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, quoting him as saying that about a third of the population would have diabetes by 2030.

SEATTLE — After years of successfully helping tobacco users quit with the Quit For Life Program, Alere Wellbeing has launched a new book designed to bring that expertise to the everyday consumer. Anyone wanting to quit tobacco can now purchase a copy of Quit Smoking for Life, written by health writer Suzanne Schlosberg with the help of Quit Coaches from the program.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Friday pledged its support behind the introduction of legislation by Rep. Paul Harris, R-Wash., that would prohibit pharmacies or retail distributors from selling over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan to those younger than 18 years without a prescription. CHPA says the bill, H.B. 2163, is a step toward preventing teen abuse of the medicines containing DXM. 

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Consumers think, live and shop differently depending on where they are within the “World” of Health and Wellness, according to the Hartman Group report "Health + Wellness: A Culture of Wellness," released in December.

ATLANTA — According to this week's FluView report, overall flu activity continued to be high across the nation, with activity continuing to spread from state to state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. Thirty-five states are now experiencing widespread activity, and 20 states are reporting high levels of influenza-like illness. 

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck on Monday reported on its intent to explore strategic options for its animal health and consumer care businesses. The company expects to complete the process and take action, if any, in 2014. 

Exploring strategic options for its animal health and consumer care businesses to determine the most value-creating option for each and could reach different decisions about the two businesses, Merck stated. 

SAN DIEGO — Real Health Labs recently launched Prostate Complete Once Per Day, a pharmaceutical-grade supplement combination, the company stated. 

In addition to zinc, selenium and vitamin E, Prostate Complete Once Per Day is formulated with a standardized saw palmetto extract, lycopene, a standardized curcumin extract, resveratrol and a pomegranate concentrate.