Trending News Today: Vitamin D Levels Linked to Colorectal Cancer Risk

The CDC is warning health officials in 6 states about an outbreak of hepatitis A among drug users and the homeless, The Hill reported. According to the article, the CDC received more than 2500 reports of infections from California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Utah, and West Virginia from January 2017 to April 2018. Drug use, homelessness, or both accounted for 68% of the more than 1900 reports with known risk factors, the article reported.

A study found that higher vitamin D levels are associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, the Washington Post reported. According to the article, the study authors said the results strengthen the evidence that vitamin D may play a protective role against the disease. In the study, the researchers found that people with lower levels of vitamin D than recommended by the National Academies for bone health had a 31% higher risk of colorectal cancer during a follow-up period of 5 and a half years, and those with levels above the recommended concentrations had a 22% lower risk.

Lawmakers are asking for an increase in funding for suicide prevention efforts, The Hill reported. Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va) and John Katko (R-NY), co-chairs of the bipartisan House Suicide Prevention Task Force, said that funding for suicide prevention programs has remained flat or decreased in recent years, the article reported. Additionally, they asked House appropriators for $150 million for suicide prevention research within the National Institutes of Mental Health.