HEALTH

 ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that the national incidence of influenza-like illness dropped below the national baseline of 2.2% to 1.9% and is lower than reported during the previous week. "This fluctuation may be attributed in part to a reduced number of routine health visits during the Thanksgiving holidays, as has been observed in previous seasons," the agency speculated. 

EUGENE, Ore. — The American Heart Association has joined a group of patient and provider organizations promoting safe use of a commonly used class of painkillers.

The AHA announced that it had joined the Alliance for the Rational Use of NSAIDs, which refers to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a class that includes the common drug ibuprofen. Other members include the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

WASHINGTON — The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other advocacy groups last week released a report claiming that states are spending only "a miniscule portion" of their tobacco revenues to fight tobacco use. "The states have failed to reverse deep cuts to tobacco prevention and cessation programs that have undermined the nation’s efforts to reduce tobacco use," the advocacy groups stated. 

SALT LAKE CITY — Play Beverages on Friday announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah has ruled in its favor and vacated its bankruptcy, freeing it to take legal actions to protect the product license granted for its Playboy Energy Drink.

The judge’s ruling takes Play Beverages out of an involuntary bankruptcy, enabling it to continue its action in state courts against Playboy Enterprises and others to protect its license to produce and sell Playboy Energy Drink.

SOLNA, Sweden — Meda announced Friday that it has signed an agreement to acquire MidNite, an OTC sleep-aid product. MidNite is well established in the U.S. and holds a market leading position within a growing category. Transaction terms were not disclosed.

“This acquisition enhances our presence in the U.S. ahead of other future OTC launches," stated Anders Lönner, CEO of Meda. 

Annualized revenues for MidNite are approximately $15 million, the company reported. 

BOSTON — Being mildly vitamin B-12 deficient could be an indication that some older adults are at a greater risk for accelerated cognitive decline, according to an observational study from researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University released Wednesday.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Humidity may be the common denominator to help explain why flu viruses are most prevalent during the winter months in temperate climates like the United States, and most prevalent during the rainy season in many tropical regions close to the equator, according to a study released Tuesday by Virginia Tech researchers.

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than half (55%) of U.S. online consumers used a fitness technology in the past year, and more than one-third (37%) anticipate purchasing fitness technology in the next 12 months, according to new research by the Consumer Electronics Association. "Getting Connected with Emerging Fitness Technologies" shows the number of consumers who used a fitness technology in the past year increased 8% from 2010. Results from the study were released Wednesday at the mHealth Summit.