Arkansans report anxiety, depression
A greater percentage of Arkansas adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during the coronavirus pandemic than the national average, according to data from the health-policy nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.
Polling data gathered in October shows that about 40.4% of Arkansans over age 18 had such symptoms in the previous week, compared with 37.7% of adults nationally.
About 1 in 5 of the Arkansas adults with symptoms -- 21.3% -- said they needed therapy but didn't get treatment in the previous four weeks.
Public-health experts say there has been a nationwide increase in mental problems, including substance use, linked to the pandemic.
Young adults, women, essential workers and members of minority groups are the most affected, experts say roughly half of Black adults -- 48% -- reported anxiety or depression symptoms the survey.
That's likely because of higher rates of illness, death and income loss during the pandemic in those communities, Kaiser researchers wrote.
Anxiety symptoms include restlessness, worry, nausea, trouble concentrating, racing thoughts and a fast heart rate.
Depression symptoms include sadness, hopelessness, feelings of emptiness and sleep or appetite problems.
The national mental-health helpline number is (800) 662-4357.
More information is online: samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.
$792,000 will aid study of DNA repair
A University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences scholar received a grant to study DNA repair mechanisms and their relationship to cancer, the system's officials said in a news release.
Justin Leung, assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine's department of radiation oncology, received the four-year, $792,000 grant from the American Cancer Society.
DNA can be damaged by toxic chemicals, ultraviolet radiation and byproducts of chemical processes in the body, the researcher said in a statement.
Without being repaired, the damage can lead to mutations that cause cancer.
A better understanding of the underlying process of DNA repair will help diagnose and treat cancer, he said.
Leung received a $1.9 million grant in September from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for related academic work.