Valentine’s Day 2009: Feb. 14

Opinions abound as to who was the original Valentine, with the most popular theory that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome in spite of Emperor Claudius II, who felt that marriage weakened his soldiers. In any event, in A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day. Through the centuries, the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages, and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit of love continues today as valentines are sent with sentimental verses, from and to young and old romantics.

Candy is Dandy

1,170
Number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2006. These establishments employed 39,457 people. California led the nation in the number of such establishments with 128, followed by Pennsylvania with 116.
Source: County Business Patterns <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

473
Number of locations that produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2006. These establishments employed 18,733 people.
Source: County Business Patterns <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

$13.9 billion
Total value of shipments in 2006 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $7.2 billion industry. Source: Annual Survey of Manufactures <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

3,563
Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2006.
Source: County Business Patterns <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

24.5 pounds
Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2007.
Source: Current Industrial Reports

Flowers

$416 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2007 for all flower-producing operations with $100,000 or more in sales. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone accounting for about three-quarters of this amount ($320 million).
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

$29 million
The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2007 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

20,227
The number of florists nationwide in 2006. These businesses employed 98,373 people.
Source: County Business Patterns <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

Jewelry

28,300
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2006. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of all ages. In February 2008, these stores sold $2.6 billion in merchandise.
Source: County Business Patterns <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html> and Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services <http://www.census.gov/mrts/www/mrts.html>

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s
1,777 jewelry manufacturing establishments.
Source: County Business Patterns <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

Be Mine

2.2 million
The number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2007. That breaks down to a little more than 6,000 a day.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/nvsr/nvsr.htm>

126,354
The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2007. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fifth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year among states was 35th. (California ranked first in marriages.)
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/nvsr/nvsr.htm> and population estimates,
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/007910.html>

57% and 60%
The percentages of American women and men, respectively, who are 18 or older and married (includes those who are separated).
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: 2007 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/marital_status_living_arrangements/012437.html>

72%
Percentage of people 30 to 34 in 2007 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: 2007 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/marital_status_living_arrangements/012437.html>

73%
Among women who married for the first time between 1985 and 1989, the percentage who marked their 10th anniversary. This compares with 87 percent of women who married for the first time between 1955 and 1959.
Source: Marriage and Divorce: 2004 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/marital_status_living_arrangements/010624.html>

6%
The percentage of currently married women who have been married for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married women have been married for at least 15 years.
Source: Marriage and Divorce: 2004 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/marital_status_living_arrangements/010624.html>

*The Census Bureau data in this section do not include same-sex marriages; the National Center for Health Statistics data do.

Looking for Love

904
The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2002. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed nearly 4,300 people and pulled in $489 million in revenue.
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/SUBSUMM.HTM>

Try Looking Here...

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine's Day:
Roseville, Calif.	Rose City, Mich.	South Heart, N.D.
Loveland, Colo.	Darling township, Minn.	Loveland, Ohio
Romeo, Colo.	Sacred Heart, Minn.	Loveland Park, Ohio
Lovejoy, Ga.	Heart Butte, Mont.	Love County, Okla.
Loves Park, Ill.	Valentine, Neb.	Loveland, Okla.
Lovington, Ill.	Lovelock, Nev.	Lovelady, Texas
Romeoville, Ill.	Loving, N.M.	Loving County, Texas
Rosemont, Ill.	Lovington, N.M.	Valentine, Texas
Romeo, Mich.	Love Valley, N.C.	Rose Hill Acres, Texas
	Rose Hill, N.C.	Rose Hill, Va.

Source: American FactFinder <http://factfinder.census.gov>

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Rising Unemployment May Result in More Uninsured Drivers

Drivers Should Obtain Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage to Protect Themselves Financially

INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
Contact: Press Offices
New York: 212-346-5500; media@iii.org
Washington, D.C.: 202-833-1580


NEW YORK, February 5, 2009 — To protect yourself financially against damage or injury from an uninsured (UI) or underinsured motorist (UIM), you must buy adequate amounts of UI/UIM coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

A new study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) indicates that there is a strong correlation between the percentage of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate. Based on current unemployment rate projections, the IRC forecasts that the percentage of uninsured motorists will likely rise from 13.8 percent in 2007 (latest data available) to 16.1 percent in 2010.

“Most people don’t think about the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage portion of their auto insurance policy until they are the victim of a hit and run accident, or are involved in a crash with a driver who either does not have auto insurance or has very minimal insurance,” pointed out Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides a very important financial safety net for drivers and their passengers. It even provides protection if you are hit by a car as a pedestrian. UI/UIM coverage is one of the six basic components of a typical auto insurance policy.

“Consumers should consider purchasing the same amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that they purchase for their liability to others,” Salvatore stated. “This will help to make drivers financially whole in case they are unable to collect if they get into a crash with an at-fault driver who has little or no insurance.

Drivers who properly protect themselves with UI/UIM motorist coverage can submit the loss directly to their insurance company. Some insurers may even offer an endorsement to a policyholder’s umbrella or excess liability policy that allows the higher limits to come into play, if necessary.

According to the most recent data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average uninsured motorist coverage claim was $1,481 for property damage and $19,650 for bodily injury in 2005. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2008, that one in five of all pedestrian deaths were the result of a hit and run accident.

While uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage is available nationwide, it is only required by law in 21 states and the District of Columbia. These are: Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The IRC study found substantial variation among the states when assessing the number of uninsured drivers. The highest percentages in 2007 were in New Mexico (29 percent), Mississippi (28 percent) and Alabama (24 percent). The states with the lowest percentage of uninsured drivers in 2007 were Massachusetts (1 percent), Maine (4 percent) and New York and North Dakota (5 percent).

Penalties for driving without insurance include fines, which can be as high as $5,000 for a subsequent offense, to license or registration suspension or revocation. Some states impose jail time, confiscate license plates and impound vehicles.

For additional information on this subject, go to Facts and Statistics: Uninsured Motorists.

For a related audio file, go to Drivers Should Obtain Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage to Protect Themselves Financially.

For additional information about insurance, go to the I.I.I. Web site.


The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.

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Octuplet mom says she's done having children

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FCIC- Depression

Depression
Medicines To Help You

Do you feel depressed? Do not feel ashamed. Women are more likely than men to feel depressed. About 1 woman in 5 has depression in the U.S.

There is hope.

Depression can be treated with medicine or counseling. Sometimes both are used. Talk to your doctor to find out what will work best for you.

Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medicines called antidepressants (an-tee-de-press-ants) that can help to treat depression. Ask your doctor to tell you about all of the risks of taking the different medicines. This guide only talks about some of the risks.

Signs of Depression

Everyone feels sad at times. People with depression feel sad most days. These feelings can get in the way of everyday life.

If you are depressed, you may:

• Feel sad
• Feel tired all the time
• Sleep too little or all the time
• Cry a lot
• Lose interest in eating
• Eat too much
• Have trouble paying attention
• Feel nervous or cranky
• Think about death or try to kill yourself
• Notice that things that used to make you happy, do not make you happy anymore

Talk to your doctor about your feelings if you have noticed these signs for at least 2 weeks. Only your doctor or counselor can tell you if you have depression.

Depression and Pregnancy

Some women become depressed when they are pregnant or after they give birth. Other women notice that their depression gets worse during pregnancy.

No one knows the exact cause of depression during or after pregnancy. It may have something to do with:

• Stress
• Hormones - After a woman has a baby, her hormone levels drop quickly.
• Having depression before you get pregnant.
• Lack of support from family and friends.
• Young age – The younger you are when you have your baby the more likely you are to become depressed.

Women should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking depression medicines during pregnancy.

Depression can make it hard for woman to take care of herself and her baby. It is important to talk to your doctor about your feelings. Also, try to get some help from your family, friends, or a support group.

• Ask a relative to watch your baby for a few hours.
• Join a group for new mothers.
• Ask a friend to cook a meal for your family or to help with chores.

"The Baby Blues"

Having a baby can be a joyful time. However, some women cry a lot and feel sad right after they have a baby. This is called "the baby blues". This feeling usually goes away after about two weeks.

If you still feel sad after two weeks, go to your doctor or clinic. You may be depressed. This type of depression is called postpartum depression
because it starts after a woman has a baby. A woman can have this kind of depression up to one year after she has a baby.

Depression and Your Children

Like adults, kids can also feel depressed. You should watch your children for signs of depression. Talk to your children if you notice changes in their behavior. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are still concerned.

Children and teens can take medicines for depression.

Prozac (Fluoxetine) is the only FDA-approved antidepressant for children and teens with depression. Talk to your doctor about important warnings for children and teens who take medicines for depression.

Medicines for Depression

There are many different kinds of medicine for depression.

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic Antidepressants
• Atypical Antidepressants

Read the information on the next few pages to find out some general facts about the different kinds of medicine for depression.

Tell your doctor about any medicines that you are taking. Do not forget about cold medicines and herbs like St. John's Wort. Some medicines will make you very sick if you take them while you are taking antidepressants.

Like any drug, depression medicines may cause some side effects. Do not stop taking your medicines without first talking to your doctor. Tell your doctor about any problems you are having. Your doctor will help you find the medicine that is best for you.

Important Warnings about Medicines for Depression

Children, teens, and adults who take antidepressants may be more likely to try to hurt or kill themselves.

Call 911 if the person:

• Tries to hurt or kill himself/ herself.
• Talks about specific ways they plan to hurt or kill himself/ herself.
• Talks about or tries to harm others.

Call your doctor right away if the person shows any of these signs:

• Talks about dying or suicide
• Starts acting very differently
• Is abnormally active
• Has severe problems sleeping
• Becomes violent or abnormally angry
• Becomes agitated or can't sit still

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

What drugs am I taking?

What are the side effects?

What other prescription drugs should I avoid while taking my medicines?

What foods, herbs (like St. John's Wort), or over-the-counter medicines should I avoid?

When should I take each drug? How many times per day do I take each drug?

Can I take my medicines if I am pregnant or nursing?

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Selective Serotonin
Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Brand Name	Generic Name
Celexa	Citalopram
Lexapro	Escitalopram
Paxil	Paroxetine
Prozac	Fluoxetine
Zoloft	Sertraline

Warnings

• Do not take with certain other medicines:
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Thioridazine
  • Orap
• Women should talk to their doctors about the risks of taking Paxil during pregnancy

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Tremor (Shaking)
• Nervousness
• Problems Sleeping
• Sexual Problems

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Seizures
• Abnormal Bleeding
• Withdrawal Symptoms

Mothers who take these drugs late in pregnancy may have babies with feeding problems and irritability.

For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Brand Name	Generic Name
Emsam(Skin Patch)	Selegiline
Marplan	Isocarboxzaid
Nardil	Phenelzine
Parnate	Tranylcypromine

Warnings

• Do not take MAOIs if you are also taking other medicines for depression or central nervous system stimulants or depressants.
• Do not eat certain foods like cheese, wine, protein foods that have been aged or any food containing tyramine.
• Do not take cold pills or decongestants

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Restlessness
• Problems Sleeping
• Drowsiness

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Headache
• Stroke
• Fainting
• Heart Palpitations
• Blood Pressure Changes

For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Brand Name	Generic Name
	Amitriptyline
Asendin	Amoxapine
Norpramin	Desipramine
Sinequan	Doxepin
Tofranil	Imipramine
Aventyl Pamelor	Nortriptyline
Vivactil	Protriptyline
Surmontil	Trimipramine

Warnings

• Do not take tricyclic antidepressants if you are also taking MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Do not take tricyclic antidepressants if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Common Side Effects

• Dry Mouth Constipation
• Blurred Vision Drowsiness
• Low Blood Pressure

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Problems Urinating
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Seizures
• Life-Threatening Irregular Heartbeat

For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.

Atypical Antidepressants

Brand Name	Generic Name
	Maprotiline

Warnings

• Do not take if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or seizures.
• Be careful if you have liver or cardiovascular disease.
• Use caution if you drink alcohol or take barbiturates while taking this medicine.

Common Side Effects

• Blurred Vision
• Feeling Dizzy or Lightheaded
• Drowsiness
• Feeling Tired or Weak
• Dry Mouth
• Headache

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Confusion
• Problems Urinating
• Fainting

Brand Name	Generic Name
Desyrel	Trazodone

Warnings

• Do not take Trazodone if you are also taking MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Use caution if you drink alcohol or take barbiturates while taking this medicine.
• Be careful if you have cardiovascular disease.

Common Side Effects

• Dry Mouth
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision
• Feeling Drowsy or Sleepy

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Painful Erection that lasts a long time
• Low Blood Pressure
• Fainting

Brand Name	Generic Name
Remeron	Mirtazapine

Warnings

• Do not take with MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs).

Common Side Effects

• Feeling Drowsy or Sleepy
• Weight Gain
• Dizziness

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Agranulocytosis (drop in white blood cells)
• Increase in Cholesterol
• Increase in Liver Enzymes

Brand Name	Generic Name
Wellbutrin	Bupropion

Warnings

• Use caution if you drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
• Use caution if you take Levodopa.
• Use caution if you have seizures or take medicines that raise your chance of having a seizure.

Common Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Seizures

Brand Name	Generic Name
Brand name is not available (not for sale).	Nefazodone

Warnings

• Do not take Nefazodone if you are also taking MAO Inhibitors, Triazolam, or Alprazolam.
• Use caution if you drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Common Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Dry Mouth
• Feeling Drowsy or Sleepy

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Confusion
• Fainting
• Liver Failure

Brand Name	Generic Name
Effexor	Venlafaxine

Warnings

• Do not take with MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Use with care if you have heart disease, liver disease, kidney problems, or seizures.

Common Side Effects

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Feeling Nervous or Anxious
• Problems Sleeping
• Feeling Drowsy

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• High Blood Pressure
• Seizures

Mothers who take these drugs late in pregnancy may have babies with feeding problems and irritability.

Brand Name	Generic Name
Cymbalta	Duloxetine

Warnings

• Do not take with MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Do not take if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Do not use with Fluvoxamine.
• Use with care if you have liver or kidney problems.

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Dry Mouth
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Feeling Drowsy

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

• Liver Toxicity
• Increase in Blood Pressure

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To Learn More about Depression

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Office of Women's Health
Web: www.fda.gov/womens/pubs.html#order

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Web: www.nimh.nih.gov
Phone: 1-866-615-6464
TTY: 1-866-415-8051

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This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available to FDA concerning these products. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or analyses become available.

Check the following website for the most recent information about each drug: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda
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