Â鶹ŮÓÅ

Richer countries have higher rates of anxiety in their population than poorer countries and — in a finding that surprised even the researchers — that anxiety also interfered more with daily activities and responsibilities. Specifically, there was a higher proportion of people in higher-income countries with generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD — defined as excessive and uncontrollable worry that affects a person’s life — and with severe GAD. The researchers, who are members of the WHO World Mental Health Survey Consortium, published their findings in JAMA Psychiatry on Wednesday. (Sheridan, 3/15)

Eleven national medical societies representing more than half of the nation's doctors came together today to warn about the ongoing health impacts of climate change and to advocate for a quicker transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources to help protect patients. Most Americans don't realize that climate change is making us sick, these doctors fear, because there has been little public discussion about the connection between the two. Yet extreme weather events, increasing temperatures and air pollution are already affecting us, they say. (Zeltner, 3/15)

Americans who want to ensure they have a say in how they die should examine the lessons of Oregon, a new analysis suggests. Seriously ill people in that state are more likely to have their end-of-life wishes honored — including fewer intensive-care hospitalizations and more home hospice enrollments — than those living in neighboring Washington state or the rest of the country. (Aleccia, 3/15)