Arthritis in the hands is more common than you might think. Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will develop the condition in their lifetime, according to a new study. The risk of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis varies by race and weight. Aching or swelling hands, decreased motion and stiffness are all symptoms of osteoarthritis. The study, in "Arthritis & Rheumatology," analyzed data for more than 2,000 adults over 45 years. The lifetime risk of arthritis in the hands is 41 percent among whites and 29 percent among blacks, according to a news release about the study. The risk to people with obesity is 11 percentage points higher than those who are not obese.

Follow-up call could reduce suicide risk

Hospital emergency departments shouldn't merely give psychiatric referrals after discharging patients who have attempted suicide, a new study found. Instead, follow-up phone calls after the patient is discharged could reduce the risk of future suicide attempts. In the study, which included nearly 1,400 patients across the U.S., future suicide risk was decreased by 30 percent due to follow-up phone calls, specialized screening and safety planning.

Red meat consumption tied to 9 diseases

The more red meat you eat, the greater your risk of dying from one of nine diseases, according to a new report. Researchers studied more than 536,000 men and women ages 50 to 71, tracking their diet and health for an average of 16 years. Compared with the one-fifth of people who ate the least red meat, the one-fifth who ate the most had a 26 percent increased risk of death from cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, infections, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease or liver disease. The study is in BMJ. White meat, on the other hand, may be good for you. The researchers found that those who ate the highest proportion of white meat had a 25 percent reduced risk of dying from various causes compared with those who ate the least white meat.

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