THIS STUDY examined the effectiveness of one type of hip protector (Safehip) in 561 people of age 70 or older who had low bone density and were at high risk for falls. All participants received written information about bone health, and 276 were randomly assigned to receive hip protectors to wear for more than a year. Eighteen people in the hip-protector group had fractures during the study, four of them while wearing the protector; by comparison, 20 people in the control group had fractures This difference was not considered statistically significant.

CAVEATS The results may not apply to other types of hip protector. In addition, some participants did not wear their hip protectors at all suggested times due to insufficient supply or discomfort during sleep. Finally, the findings need to be verified in more people and other populations.

THIS STUDY examined the effect of lead concentrations below 10 micrograms in 172 children whose lead levels were measured regularly during their first five years of life. Those whose levels averaged one microgram of lead had IQs more than seven points higher than those who averaged 10 micrograms. Another study in the same issue of the journal suggests that girls with lead levels of three micrograms enter puberty later than those whose blood contains only one microgram per deciliter. This association was strongest among African Americans.