Health roundup: U.S. suicide rate rose with recession

Your Monday morning health roundup:

Suicide and recession: A rise in the U.S. suicide rate accelerated after the recession began, a new analysis shows. The rate increased four times faster between 2008 and 2010 than in the eight years before that, researchers say. The difference amounted to about 1,500 deaths each year or a 1% increase in suicide for every 1% increase in the unemployment rate. Similar trends have been seen in European countries under economic strain. (New York Times)

Magnets and danger: Powerful magnet toys that have been labeled a hazard to children are disappearing from the market. After months of resisting demands from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the maker of Buckyballs and Buckycubes magnetic desk toys is discontinuing the products. When swallowed, the magnets can cause severe internal injuries, doctors say. (CNN)

Meningitis and more: New medical complications are showing up in some patients treated for fungal meningitis in an outbreak traced to contaminated steroid shots. Some of the patients have developed spinal abscesses or a hard-to-treat type of inflammation despite successful treatment of their meningitis. (NPR)

Today's talker: Living close to a neighborhood pub might seem like a nice little amenity. But a new study suggests a risk: It might increase your chance of becoming a heavy drinker. The study of adults in Finland found heavy drinking increased when people moved closer to bars or when bars moved closer to them -- suggesting the link was not just a matter of drinkers choosing to live in neighborhoods with drinking establishments. The study found 9% of adults who lived within 400 feet of a bar were heavy drinkers. (Reuters)