Current Events in April 2019

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and as usual, parents are being urged to admonish their teenage drivers about the dangers of texting behind the wheel.

But this year there’s a new twist. Teens are being urged to have a distracted driving talk with their parents since research shows a growing number of adults are doing the very thing they tell their children not to do.

Research done at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing shows that one in three parents read text messages and one in seven use social media while driving their young children.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports more than 1,000 injuries a day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

Catalysts for change

Honda is among major corporations getting behind the campaign to flip the script when it comes to distracted driving.

"By making children and teens the catalysts for change, Honda's distracted driving campaign takes a nontraditional approach in parent-child dynamics to capture true human emotion and encourage safer driving," said Jessica Fini, social media manager at American Honda Motor. "For the past six years, we have used our social media platforms to promote safer driving during National Distracted Driving Awareness month, and we hope having the text talk will inspire a crucial conversation between teens and parents beyond the month of April."

Other corporations -- especially those that involve either driving or texting -- are getting behind the campaign to enlist children to help their parents be more attentive drivers. Currently, AT&T is airing the commercial below.

Family talk

The Honda campaign features a video in which teens talk about their parents’ driving habits, then sit down with their parents to discuss their concerns. The families in the video then sign a pledge not to text or look at their mobile devices while driving.

While the CHOP study shows a growing number of adults are distracted by their phones while driving, teens may not be in any position to lecture their parents. A 2018 study led by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that nearly two in five teen drivers text while driving.

Of the 35 states assessed in the study, South Dakota had the highest rate of teen texting and driving, with 64 percent of high school students admitting that they had engaged in the risky driving behavior at least once in the month prior to the survey.

A survey by LendingTree reveals the housing market continues to pose stiff challenges to first-time home buyers.

The online mortgage marketplace commissioned a poll of consumers who hope to purchase their first home in the next two years. It found a strong desire among millennials to own a home, but it also revealed gaps in knowledge about the process.

Most strikingly, the survey revealed a disconnect between what first-time buyers can afford to pay and the realities of today’s housing market. Two-thirds of the group said they have encountered a shortage of homes in their price range.

When asked what they thought they could pay, most said they were looking for a home priced at $150,000 or less. The median-priced U.S. home -- including new homes -- is now $300,000, well out of that stated price range.

Looking for a fixer-upper

Perhaps because of that, 85 percent said they would consider purchasing a fixer-upper if they could get it at a lower cost. That matches our reporting from earlier this week in which 60 percent of first-time buyers said they planned to purchase a home in need of renovation.

"The combination of rising home prices and limited entry-level homes for sale is prompting many home shoppers to consider homes that need renovating," said Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com, which commissioned that research.

Besides affordability, the LendingTree study identified other issues many first-time buyers face. Nearly half had no idea that the closing process can be lengthy, taking an average of 43 days.

More than 25 percent of consumers hoping to purchase their first home have low credit scores, meaning they might not qualify and will pay a higher interest rate if they do. Only 15 percent had a credit score of 740 or higher.

Lack of funds

Finally, many would-be homeowners simply lack the income and savings to make a home purchase happen in the immediate future. Nearly half of the first-time buyers in the survey said looking for a home they can afford is the most stressful part of the process.

"Although the homeownership rate is lower among millennials than earlier generations at the same age, our research demonstrates that purchasing a home is still a significant milestone for many,” said Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist at LendingTree. “However, strengthening your financial profile is crucial for those thinking of buying a home."  

Kapfidze suggests making a concerted effort to raise your credit score by paying all bills on time and paying down credit card balances. A higher score may make the approval process easier and will save money over the life of the mortgage by qualifying the applicant for a lower interest rate.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ordering the remaining companies that still sell transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse to take their products off the market.

The agency has been issuing advisories about transvaginal mesh since 2011, but this is its most stringent action on mesh to date. Boston Scientific and Coloplast have ten days to submit a plan to the FDA explaining their exit strategy, the agency says.

In a statement to CNBC, Boston Scientific described the news as disappointing. Coloplast said that the news makes minimal difference to its bottom-line, as mesh only represents 0.2 percent of the company’s total revenue.

Johnson & Johnson, the largest maker of transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse, stopped selling the product in 2012. The company framed the move as a marketing decision at the time.

Patient advocates say that FDA’s announcement, while encouraging, is too little, too late.

“These mesh devices were on the market for over 20 years, leaving tens of thousands of women to live with permanent disabilities and disfigurement,” says a statement from Medical Device Problems, a patient advocacy group.

Curbing side effects

While the FDA says that most mesh products are proven safe and have been on the market since the 1950s, device companies didn’t start selling transvaginal mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse until the late 1990s.

The device is made of plastic and is designed to act as a hammock of sorts for women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which the muscles that hold the pelvic organs become weak. Because the mesh is inserted through the vagina, the device industry described the procedure as a low-risk, minimally-invasive surgery.

But hundreds of thousands of lawsuits worldwide describe a litany of horrific side effects linked to mesh.

“We know the actions taken by the FDA today would not have transpired without the tireless voices of those women who refused to remain silent victims of the devastation mesh for pelvic organ prolapse caused them and their families,” the statement from Medical Device Problems adds.

The FDA’s order does not affect all mesh products; device-makers can still sell pelvic mesh to treat stress urinary incontinence, a condition caused by childbirth. Mesh is also used in hernia repair surgeries, but some patient advocates say that using mesh in any soft tissue comes with an unacceptably high risk of devastating side effects.

Sales of the prolapse mesh products dropped in 2016 after the FDA reclassified them as high-risk devices and ordered further study into their effectiveness.

“Since at least 2011, there has been clear evidence that these products are unsafe for treating pelvic organ prolapse and lack any clinically significant benefits in comparison to non-mesh products,” consumer advocacy group Public Citizen says in a statement.

Researchers from Binghamton University looked into the driving force behind college students’ behaviors, particularly what causes some people to get trapped in patterns of bad behavior.

According to the study, one negative choice could be the driving force that sets subsequent bad choices in motion.

“Interestingly, we identified potential cyclical behaviors that associate with severe mental distress that are linked to a change in brain chemistry that supports substance abuse, poor academic attitude and performance, poor sleep patterns, and neglect of family and work,” said researcher Lina Begdache. “The novelty of these findings is that we are proposing, based on the neuroscience of these behaviors, that one action may be leading to another until a vicious cycle sets in.”

Gauging mental distress

To see what spurred college students’ behavior -- either positive or negative -- the researchers had over 550 college students from around the country participate in an anonymous survey. Participants answered questions on their sleeping habits, how tired they felt during the day, substance abuse, mental distress, and their performance in school.

The researchers discovered two cyclical patterns: excessive drinking or substance abuse was linked with lower GPAs, less sleep, and less motivation to do well in school, whereas sleeping, eating, and exercising regularly were linked with better academic performances and better overall attitudes.

The study also revealed that mental distress played a large role in whether college students engaged in risky behaviors.

For instance, severe mental distress correlated with students who didn’t care much about their grades, had low GPAs, drank alcohol in excess, and were often extremely tired during the day. Low mental distress was the complete opposite, as these students had high GPAs and no substance abuse, while mild mental distress fell somewhere in the middle.

“These factors that are associated with mental distress in college students are controllable factors, meaning that proper education of students may reduce risk of mental distress on college campuses, which is on the rise,” said Bagdache.

Brain maturity also played a role in this study, as the researchers explained that brains that are still maturing are more vulnerable to impulsivity and emotional control.

“Positive behaviors such as abstinence from substance abuse, studious attitudes and responsibility toward work and family are reflective of a brain chemistry profile that support mood and maturation of the prefrontal cortex of the brain,” said Begdache. “The latter matures last and supports impulse and emotional control as well as rationalization of thoughts.”

Understanding college students

While one recent study found that binge drinking is decreasing among college students, many researchers have explored how mental health is affecting the demographic.

According to a study conducted by researchers from Columbia University, over one-third of college students show symptoms of a mental health disorder. Another study found that though college students are receiving more care for mental health disorders, the stigma surrounding mental health is on the decline.

General Motors is recalling 120 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles.

The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.

In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame free of charge.

The recall was expected to begin on April 15, 2019.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020 or GMC customer service at (800) 462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.

JBS Plainwell of Plainwell, Mich., is recalling approximately 43,292 pounds of ground beef.

The products may be contaminated with extraneous materials -- specifically pieces of hard plastic.

There are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

The following items, produced on March 20, 2019, are being recalled:

• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “fresh from Meijer GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN 20% FAT” with case code 47283 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “fresh from Meijer GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT” with case code 47285 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “fresh from Meijer GROUND BEEF 90% LEAN 10% FAT” with case code 47290 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “LEAN GROUND BEEF” with case code 42093 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “CERTIFIED GROUND SIRLOIN” with case code 42090 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “CERTIFIED GROUND ROUND” with case code 42085 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “Fresh! BLACK ANGUS GROUND CHUCK” with case code 42283 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “CERTIFIED GROUND CHUCK” with case code 81631 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic wrapped ground beef loaf with “GROUND BEEF” with case code 81629 and sell by date of 4/10/2019 represented on the label.

The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 562M” inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the bottom of the label, were shipped to retail locations in Michigan and Wisconsin.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Misty Barnes at (970) 506-7805.

Cases of measles have risen to their second-highest level since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday. So far this year, 555 measles cases have been confirmed in the United States.

More than 70 of the 90 cases confirmed in the last week were from New York City and New York State, said Dr. Amanda Cohn, the CDC’s senior adviser for vaccines. The CDC says ongoing outbreaks are also happening in Clark County, Wash.; Oakland County, Mich.; two counties in New Jersey; and several counties in California.

"The number of cases is accelerating," said Dr. Cohn. "We are on track to have one of the highest numbers of cases of measles reported since we eliminated the disease in the year 2000."

Global outbreaks

At the global level, cases of measles have been rising over the past two years in several countries. The countries that are currently most affected by measles outbreaks are Ukraine, Madagascar, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Yemen, and Brazil, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Experts say the anti-vaccination movement is a primary reason for this year’s massive outbreak.

"It's just terribly sad that children in the US are having to suffer measles. This should not happen," Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and an adviser to the CDC on vaccines, told CNN. "We'd previously eliminated this disease not just in the US but in the entire Western Hemisphere, and it appears that now we've profoundly and sadly turned back the clock."

In an interview with Vox, Dr. Cohn noted that there’s “vaccine hesitancy in a world where people don’t see measles anymore. We have to continue to remind people how serious measles is.”

The CDC notes that before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, an estimated 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the U.S.

The agency recommends two doses of the measles mumps and rubella (or “MMR”) vaccine for children. The first should be given at 12 to 15 months and the second when the child is 4 to 6 years old. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles, and one dose provides about 93 percent protection.

The city that is home to some of Silicon Valley's top engineers says that their facial recognition technology is not welcome there.

San Francisco lawmakers are considering banning all facial recognition technology in city limits, which would be a historic move in the United States. The proposal comes at a time when Amazon, Google, and other tech giants are developing and peddling the nascent technology to law enforcement agencies.

San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, the lawmaker who introduced the proposed ban, told Gizmodo that his office has been blasted with identical emails from the Police Officers Association. The form email says that the ban is not appropriate because it “could have unintended consequences that make us less safe by severely curtailing the use of effective traditional video surveillance by burying agencies like the Police Department in a bureaucratic approval process.”

Lawmakers say the proposal will have no impact on traditional video surveillance. The ban is targeted specifically against services like Amazon’s Rekognition, a technology that groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn is prone to error and a slippery path to authoritarianism.

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has issued a warning in response to an apparent rise in the number of set-top boxes for sale online that don’t comply with the agency’s equipment marketing rules.

The federal agency is warning that anyone who markets, or even uses, a set-top box with streaming capability that doesn’t comply with the FCC’s equipment marketing rules could face a hefty fine.  

“Anyone marketing or operating noncompliant devices should stop immediately. Violators may be subject to substantial monetary penalties that could total more than $147,000 per violation," the Commission wrote in an enforcement advisory on its website.

Enforcing rules

Under the FCC’s rules, video TV set-top boxes marketed and used in the U.S. must comply with the following rules:

• Proper FCC authorization. Set-top boxes with Wi-Fi must be authorized through the agency’s Certification process or the Suppliers Declaration of Conformity procedures.

• Proper labeling. Set-top boxes authorized under the certification process must display a unique and valid FCC Identifier, as well as a statement placed in a conspicuous location on the device. The FCC says the statement will indicate that the device complies with its technical rules, may not cause harmful interference, and must accept any interference received.

• Inclusion of user manuals. Set-top boxes must contain consumer disclosures in a user manual warning consumers of the device’s potential for causing interference to other radio communications. The disclosure must also include a list of steps that could possibly eliminate the interference, the FCC said.

“Equipment that does not comply with these requirements cannot be legally marketed or operated in the United States,” the Commission stressed in its warning. The rules apply to the "manufacture, import, sale, offer for sale, shipment, or use of devices capable of emitting radio frequency energy."

Walmart has announced that it’s partnering with subscription-box company Kidbox to launch a subscription box service specifically for baby and children’s clothing.

The retailer’s online shoppers will be able to purchase as many as six personalized, seasonally appropriate boxes of children’s apparel each year. The platform’s “stylists” curate each box by taking into account shopper’s responses to a short style quiz.

Each box contains four to five items of apparel for around $48. Walmart says the cost of each box is about 50 percent off the suggested retail price for the group of bundled items. After receiving the box, parents can either keep all the items or return everything for a full refund.

Growing its apparel business

The launch of the subscription box for children’s clothing joins other efforts by Walmart to expand its online apparel offerings.

Last May, the company announced that it was teaming up with Lord & Taylor to add premium brands to its website. Walmart has also added more than 100 brands to its children’s apparel lineup over the past year, including Betsey Johnson, The Children’s Place, Kapital K, Levi’s, and Limited Too.

“Walmart has done a lot over the past year to establish itself as a go-to retailer for all things fashion, and we’re honored to partner with the retailer to expand its kids’ assortment online, while also saving parents time and offering them the value and convenience of a stylebox,” said Miki Berardelli, Kidbox CEO, in a statement. “At Kidbox, we pride ourselves on understanding kids’ fashion preferences while also creating moments for them to learn about the importance of giving back,” she added.

Competing with Amazon

Walmart’s new partnership with Kidbox comes just a few months after Gymboree declared bankruptcy and said it planned to close 800 Gymboree and Crazy 8 stores.

Walmart and other retailers are continuing to shift their strategies in an effort to compete with Amazon, as well as fill the void left by retailers who were unable to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

“Our partnership with Kidbox enables us to round out our offering with additional national and premium kids’ brands,” said Denise Incandela, head of fashion for Walmart’s e-commerce business in the U.S.

In the aftermath of a University of South Carolina (USC) student killed when she mistook another car for her Uber ride, fellow ridesharing service Lyft has announced major changes to protect others from the same happening to them.

At the heart of Lyft’s revisions are two features:

• Criminal background checks. Lyft’s new background check system is designed to include daily monitoring of its active drivers and immediately report any driver with a criminal conviction. When someone signs up to be a Lyft driver, they agree to Lyft’s terms of service which covers the company’s right to do a no-holds-barred background check that includes a Social Security number trace, a nationwide criminal search, a county court records search, a federal criminal search, as well as a U.S. Department of Justice 50-state sex offender registry search. To keep in good standing with Lyft, drivers have to pass additional background checks at least once a year.

• Enhanced identity verification. Lyft’s new process combines the authentication of the driver’s license and photograph on file. The reason for taking that step is to verify that the driver’s identity is legitimate. Simply put, if a driver’s identity can’t be completely verified, they won’t be allowed on the streets representing Lyft.

“Fraud is an issue that many industries and companies face each day, but it is rare at Lyft,” the company said in a blog post on Monday. “We continuously move quickly and decisively to permanently ban these individuals from our platform, and accelerate the launch of anti-fraud measures already in development.”

Is this enough?

In the course of our reporting, ConsumerAffairs can bear witness to an unfortunate number of situations where technology crosses the line of consumer well-being -- such as e-scooter-related accidents and autonomous vehicle mishaps.

In some cases such as the one involving the University of South Carolina student, companies can either react with what they say they’ve done versus what they’re going to do .

“Since 2017, we’ve been working with local law enforcement and college campuses across the country to educate the public about how to avoid fake rideshare drivers,” a spokesperson for Uber -- Lyft's main competitor -- told The State, Columbia’s local newspaper in reaction to the USC student’s death.

“Everyone at Uber is devastated to hear about this unspeakable crime, and our hearts are with Samantha Josephson’s family and loved ones. We remain focused on raising public awareness about this incredibly important issue.”

Unfortunately, these sentiments come too late for consumers whose lives are impacted by tragedies like the one at USC. They expect a higher degree of vigilance.

"I guess I have always assumed Lyft and Uber have these continuous driver checks in place,” Mary Rieke, whose daughter attends USC, told ConsumerAffairs. “But I am not sure these alone would have prevented a fake, non-approved driver who just pulls up and did what he did. I know the university and sororities have safety training which includes positive identification prior to getting in the car.”

Rieke offered an interesting two-factor authentication -- the type Apple, Marriott, and Google are now employing -- to take the authenticity of the driver one step further.

“One element that might help is using the app technology to push an alert to the rider when the driver pulls up with a secret code. When the door is opened the driver's code must match what the rider sees on the app or something like that,” Rieke said.

You may have seen commercials in which a doctor makes a dramatic diagnosis thousands of miles from their patient by using video technology. Doctors, it seems, expect that scenario to become common very soon.

A survey of physicians by American Well finds half of respondents expect to use video visits to care for patients by 2022. The doctors said they believe the technology can improve patient care while helping them retain patients who move away.

At the same time, the healthcare industry is growing more comfortable with video visits, and health plans are reimbursing at a more promising rate.

"Physicians are adopting telehealth much faster than they adopted EHRs at a similar stage of market development1," said Dr. Sylvia Romm, vice president of Clinical Transformation at American Well. "Physicians' increased willingness to see patients over video, in addition to the increasing physician shortage, high burnout rates and a more favorable reimbursement landscape, signals a boom in virtual visits over the next several years.”

Rapid adoption rate

Doctors have significantly increased their use of telehealth. The survey found 22 percent of doctors have already used telehealth to see patients, a dramatic 340 percent increase from 2015, when only 5 percent had used the technology.

The survey also found that more physicians are willing to try the technology in the future. Sixty-nine percent said they are willing to try it, up from 57 percent in 2015. Specialists appear to be the most willing to use telehealth, especially those who admit to being burned out from patient overload.

Telehealth includes more than just video communications, but also a full array of digital technologies. According to the Mayo Clinic staff, telehealth services are building on computer and mobile platforms to give doctors access to a lot of information without being in the same room with a patient.

Capabilities

With telehealth services, a diabetes patient may be able to:

• Upload food logs and other data to a nurse for review;

• Watch an instructional video;

• Employ an app to estimate your insulin needs;

• Communicate with your doctor; and

• Receive email or text reminders

The Mayo Clinic staff also concludes that telehealth could be helpful in making health care services more available for patients in rural and other underserved areas. For patients who will take advantage of it, telehealth can also provide support for self-management of health care.

Conventional real estate marketing wisdom holds that the best way to sell a house and get it in “move-in condition” is to fix everything that needs repair and apply a fresh coat of paint.

But a new survey from real estate marketplace realtor.com has turned that notion on its ear. It found that 60 percent of consumers who plan to shop for a house this spring want one that needs some work.

It’s not that today’s buyers are eager to roll up their sleeves and do some manual labor. The survey finds that today’s shoppers are hoping to save money by selecting a house that needs some TLC. Too many homes in “move-in condition” are now out of their price range.

"The combination of rising home prices and limited entry-level homes for sale is prompting many home shoppers to consider homes that need renovating," said Danielle Hale, realtor.com's chief economist.

Influence of Pinterest and HGTV

Hale says today’s younger shoppers are also more confident they are up to the task of a home renovation project after reading tips on Pinterest and watching various shows on HGTV.

The survey found that nearly three out of five home shoppers under 55 years-old are considering a home this spring that needs renovating. Consumers 35-54 years-old are the most likely to take on a fixer-upper. Hale says this group is most likely to already own a home and have experience with some home maintenance chores.

In the wake of the housing crash, many people purchased distressed properties, but in most cases they were investors hoping to flip the homes for a profit or convert them to rental properties. But with today’s high home prices, it appears the majority of people looking at homes in need of renovating plan to live in them.

Median home price now at $300K

Earlier this month, realtor.com reported that the median price of a home in the U.S. reached $300,000 for the first time ever -- a price point far beyond what many can afford.

"Heading into spring, U.S. prices are expected to continue to rise and inventory is expected to continue to increase, but at a slower pace than we've seen the last few months as fewer sellers want to contend with this year's more challenging conditions,” Hale said. “A buyer's experience will vary notably depending on the market and price point they're targeting."

For home sellers, this trend might work in their favor, especially if the home needs repairs. If the realtor.com survey is to be believed, then there is a growing segment of buyers that may find your house attractive if you do nothing to it.

Just keep in mind, they may find it attractive because they believe they can get it for a lower price. As long as you’re willing to deal, your fixer-upper may sell faster than you think.

In a new study, researchers from Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development made an interesting discovery about children’s development.

According to the group, living closer to major roads can increase the risk of children having developmental delays, as can pregnant women being exposed to high levels of traffic-induced pollution.

“Our results suggest that it may be prudent to minimize exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood -- all key periods for brain development,” said Pauline Mendola, PhD.

How pollution plays a role

To see how proximity and exposure to high-traffic areas affects developmental delays, the researchers started by looking at data from over 5,800 participants of the Upstate KIDS Survey.

The goal was to see how close the participants lived to major roadways, as well as how close their daycare centers were and their mothers’ jobs while pregnant. The researchers compared this information with pollution levels reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It was also important to see how children’s development was affected by this, and so the researchers tested the participants every four to six months from the time they were eight months old until they reached three years old using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. With the test, the researchers were able to gain insight into the children’s problem-solving skills, motor skills, personal social functioning, and communication.

The researchers found that both pre- and postnatal exposure to traffic-related pollution affected children’s cognitive development, but postnatal exposure was more harmful.

According to the findings, exposure to ozone at eight months increased the risk of failing one portion of the Questionnaire by over three percent. That number jumped to nearly 18 percent by two years old, and nearly eight percent by three years old.

Additionally, living close to major roadways led to similar results. Participants who lived less than half a mile from a high-traffic area were two times as likely to fail at least one portion of the developmental test.

“It is not clear why exposure to pollutants after birth is linked to a higher risk of developmental delay,” said Sandie Ha, PhD. “However, unlike exposure during pregnancy, exposure during childhood is more direct and does not go through a pregnant woman’s defenses.”

Ensuring optimal development

While air pollution has increased health problems among young children recently, researchers have found that traffic-related air pollution is the impetus for millions of cases of childhood asthma every year.

Moreover, researchers have found that both childhood obesity and having a TV in the bedroom can affect children’s cognitive development from a young age.

According to researcher Linda Pagani, “The early years are a critical period in a child’s development.”

While many researchers have explored how overusing antibiotics can be dangerous, a new study looked at the ways a lack of supplies can also be detrimental.

According to researchers from the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy, countries that have limited access to antibiotics are seeing people die from very treatable diseases and infections.

“Lack of access to antibiotics kills more people currently than does antibiotic resistance, but we have not had a good handle on why these barriers are created,” said Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan. “Our research shows that of 21 new antibiotics entering markets between 1999 and 2014, less than five were registered in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Just the mere existence of an effective antibiotic does not mean that they are available in countries where they are most needed.”

Gaining insight and striving for change

To see how this issue was affecting countries around the globe, the researchers looked at data on why countries -- including those at low-, middle-, and high-income levels -- face issues gaining access to antibiotics. The team interviewed representatives from Germany, Uganda, and India to get their take on the situation.

The researchers found that cost plays a large role in these countries. Even when antibiotics are readily available, it can be incredibly expensive for consumers to have to pay for the drugs out of pocket.

Of the three countries involved in the study, 65 percent of people in India pay for healthcare out of pocket, compared with over 40 percent of Ugandans and only 13 percent of Germans. The study also revealed that many citizens in these countries spend a good portion of their paychecks on prescription medications because there are little to no national funds that go towards healthcare.

Another concern is consistency. Many low-income countries have a hard time keeping antibiotics stocked on a regular basis because of inconsistencies with drug manufacturers, making it difficult for residents in these places to have their medications regularly.

The researchers also found that having trained, qualified healthcare professionals to administer antibiotics can be difficult in low- or middle-income countries.

Not only is India facing a massive doctor and nurse shortage, but Uganda is struggling to fill anywhere from 10 to 54 percent of positions in the healthcare field. This impacts how often patients are given their medications and the dosage they receive, among other concerns.

The researchers identified several initiatives government officials can take to improve this situation and ensure that people are receiving the antibiotics they need when they need them. They recommend new funding options for essential antibiotics, countries registering their need for specific medications, and local manufacturers producing certain drugs, among many others.

To read the full list of suggestions and the researchers’ complete findings, click here.

Caito Foods of Indianapolis, Ind., is recalling fresh cut watermelon, fresh cut honeydew melon, fresh cut cantaloupe and fresh cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons.

The products have may be contaminated with Salmonella Carrau, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration have linked 93 illnesses to the strain of Salmonella under investigation.

A full list of the affected products can be viewed on the FDA's website here.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume the, but discard them.

Consumers with questions may call (844) 467-7278 Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (CT) and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CT).

The Boeing 737 MAX saga continues.

The Federal Aviation Commission (FAA) held a closed-door meeting at its headquarters on Friday, and representatives from Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines -- the three domestic carriers that own Boeing 737-MAX aircraft -- were reportedly in attendance, according to Fox Business News.

With apparently no guarantee of safety in place from Boeing or the FAA, American and Southwest Airlines have both extended their current June 5 deadline regarding cancelled 737 MAX cancellations to August.

“U.S. airlines and the pilot unions want to know how the work on this software fix for the 737 MAX is progressing,” Wall Street Journal aviation reporter Andrew Tangel told Fox News.

“Ultimately, the airlines want to make sure that the airplane is going to be safe to fly and it can get passengers on these planes, and the pilots want the same thing. They’re not going to fly the plane if they’re not satisfied the plane is safe.”

A safe summer is now the focus

Although the companies are extending flight cancellations involving the Boeing 737 MAX, officials say they’re confident that a solution will be presented before then.

“Based upon our ongoing work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing, we are highly confident that the MAX will be recertified prior to this time,” American’s Chairman and CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom wrote to company employees.

“By extending our cancellations through the summer, we can plan more reliably for the peak travel season and provide confidence to our customers and team members when it comes to their travel plans. Once the MAX is recertified, we anticipate bringing our MAX aircraft back on line as spares to supplement our operation as needed during the summer.”

The summer flying season is a key element not only for American but for every airline. Family and class reunions, trips overseas, and vacations could have been put in limbo if the planned June date couldn’t be met. This way, airlines can cancel the MAX-related flights and get those passengers on other flights. In American’s situation, that’s approximately 115 flights per day -- about 1.5 percent of American’s total daily flying -- that will be canceled through August 19.

Southwest also announced a modified schedule which will now run through August 5, 2019.

“Through a lens of impacting the fewest travelers, we have removed an average [of] 160 flights a day across the peak summer flight schedule, when Southwest typically operates 4200+ departures a day,” a Southwest spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs.

In an email to the airlines’ customers, Southwest President Tom Nealon doubled down on the importance of making sure the airline can “add further stability for Customers booking their summer travel.”

“The limited number of Customers, who have already booked their travel and will be affected by this amended schedule, are being proactively notified so that we can re-accommodate their flight plans well in advance of their travel date,” Nealon said.

“While the vast majority of our Customers' itineraries have remained unaffected, flight schedule changes have inconvenienced some of our valued Customers, and, for that, I offer my sincerest apologies. The proactive move allows us to accommodate Customers, eliminate last-minute surprises, and focus on the integrity of a right-sized operation for the number of aircraft available to the airline.”

A Southwest spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs that the airline is moving away from notifying passengers only days out to a more plan-friendly weeks out in hopes of giving travelers more breathing room to modify their travel arrangements. Southwest says that those notices “also share dedicated resources to facilitate further modifications within our reaccommodation practices.”

And United? United Airlines currently has no plans to follow suit; instead, it seems the company will wait and see if solutions are forthcoming. A United spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs that its current contingency plan is in place through the end of May.

“For our April schedule, we currently expect to have approximately 130 cancellations related to the MAX. By using larger aircraft on those routes, we have been able to protect our customers’ original itineraries by using other aircraft to cover almost all of the MAX flights,” United said.