Minors can easily purchase alcohol online as a result of poor age verification by Internet alcohol vendors and shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS, according to a new study from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers.

The study, published in the May issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, found that 45 out of 100 orders attempted by underage buyers were successful, even though they provided their real underage driver license when asked. Only 28 percent of orders placed by minors were rejected because of age verification.

The UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention announces Jennifer Leeman, Dr.PH., as the new director of HPDP Dissemination and Communications Core. 

Leeman also recently became principal investigator for Comprehensive Cancer Control Collaborative of NC (4CNC). As one of eight centers nationwide within the CDC-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network, 4CNC builds connections between researchers and communities across North Carolina to confront cancer using evidence-based approaches.