Children's Health: Preschoolers working memory forecasts teenage dropout risk ♦ Teenage exposure to pesticides may lead to abnormal sperm

Preschoolers working memory forecasts teenage dropout risk Preschoolers who score lower on a working memory task are likely to score higher on a dropout risk scale at the age of 13.

Consistent source of care is key factor in limiting kids' repeat visits to the hospital Researchers looked at the five components of a primary care medical home and found that one factor -- having a usual source of care -- was the most reliable predictor of whether a child would be readmitted to a hospital or emergency room within a month after being discharged.

Teenage exposure to pesticides may lead to abnormal sperm Adolescent exposure to environmental pollutants known as organochlorines may lead to defective sperm. The research is the first to look for associations between exposure to these chemicals in the teenage years and abnormalities in sperm that are associated with fertility problems later in life.

Health campaigns that tap teen culture curtail risky adolescent behavior Health campaigns that target teens based their social groups and subcultures, such as hip hop, preppy or alternative, can be an effective tool in dissuading adolescents from engaging in risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking.