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Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:18:00 -0800

Sign up for our Nov. 8 Webinar: Covering Health Reform After the Election

NNT can be TNT for blowing up pharma marketing claims | emnotes blog

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:28:08 -0700

NNT can be TNT for blowing up pharma marketing claims | emnotes blog:

Bill Heisel’s popular “number needed to treat” post is highlighted in this emergency physician’s blog.

Chocolate makes you thin, or, How to critically evaluate research studies

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:29:22 -0700

Chocolate makes you thin, or, How to critically evaluate research studies:

Yoni Freedhoff’s post picked up by UC Berkeley Library blog.

"The 3% reduction in health care spending came almost entirely from utilization. For providers it was..."

Wed, 30 May 2012 13:55:09 -0700

“The 3% reduction in health care spending came almost entirely from utilization. For providers it was business-as-usual; they put up prices ~5%, as the chart shows. If utilization had grown in line with U.S. population growth of 1%/year, overall spending would have risen ~6%, 4% faster than inflation, close to the long-term trend.”

- Also check out their really neat chart.

Health Care Prices Outpace Inflation In A Weak Economy - Forbes

Press Announcements > FDA warns consumers about counterfeit version of Teva's Adderall

Wed, 30 May 2012 13:43:51 -0700

Press Announcements > FDA warns consumers about counterfeit version of Teva's Adderall:

This is not surprising considering the shortage of real Adderrall in the market.

"From President Barack Obama’s overhaul law to GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s privatization plan..."

Tue, 29 May 2012 15:19:07 -0700

“From President Barack Obama’s overhaul law to GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s privatization plan for future Medicare recipients, there’s something about health care legislation that makes it a breeding ground for wild allegations.”

- This is why it’s so hard for any significant improvements to be made.

The Associated Press: SPIN METER: Political ads stir health care horror

"Unknown to most consumers, many hospitals and physicians offer steep discounts for cash-paying..."

Sun, 27 May 2012 09:15:03 -0700

“Unknown to most consumers, many hospitals and physicians offer steep discounts for cash-paying patients regardless of income. But there’s a catch: Typically you can get the lowest price only if you don’t use your health insurance.”

- What purpose is this serving? Why do hospitals and physicians do this? and why do insurance companies allow it?

Many hospitals, doctors offer cash discount for medical bills - latimes.com

"Nearly 250 cases have been reported this year to poison control centers. Though they remain a tiny..."

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:41:25 -0700

“Nearly 250 cases have been reported this year to poison control centers. Though they remain a tiny fraction of the thousands of poisoning calls received every year, doctors are concerned. The symptoms they see in connection with ingesting the packets — such as nausea and breathing problems — are more severe than typical detergent poisoning.”

- Should these products be banned? Or should it be up to the parents to decide wether they are a risk to their children?

Doctors report rise in kids eating detergent packets - Chicago Sun-Times

"This study is the first to quantify resident surgeon fatigue and its predicted risk for..."

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:40:12 -0700

““This study is the first to quantify resident surgeon fatigue and its predicted risk for error,” said study co-author Dr. Frank McCormick, of Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program and Massachusetts General Hospital. “Fatigue levels were higher than anticipated, especially on the night float rotation.””

- What are the implication for patients? What are the implications for the community?

Sleepy Surgeons: New Study Shines Light On Risks Of Surgeon Fatigue

Daily Briefing: Marion Nestle on Pom Wonderful's "Out of Context" Response to Marketing Fine | Reporting on Health

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:15:52 -0700

Daily Briefing: Marion Nestle on Pom Wonderful's "Out of Context" Response to Marketing Fine | Reporting on Health:

5 health stories to follow today, brought to you by Reportingonhealth.org

"This is terrific information and certainly will be useful,” said Moyer of the new study. But,..."

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:44:28 -0700

““This is terrific information and certainly will be useful,” said Moyer of the new study. But, she added, it does not answer the question of whether the screening led to better health outcomes. Also, she said the study could have benefited from a comparison group, who did not get screened.”

- This seems to be the issue with many tests. Are we testing too much?

Screening finds skin cancer, but does it save lives? | Reuters

"The catch is that to make universal coverage work at the state level, you’d need some way to..."

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:33:00 -0700

“

The catch is that to make universal coverage work at the state level, you’d need some way to channel Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare funds into the system. At the moment, that’s difficult if not impossible.

But legislation quietly being drafted by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) would change that. It would create a mechanism for states to request federal funds after establishing their own health insurance programs.

”

- Can this bill pass into law?

Legislation may enable states to offer universal healthcare - latimes.com

Employment News, Consumer Tips and Job Advice - Life Inc. | TODAY.com Blogs - Health care costs rose faster than inflation despite weak economy

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:04:53 -0700

Employment News, Consumer Tips and Job Advice - Life Inc. | TODAY.com Blogs - Health care costs rose faster than inflation despite weak economy:

Check out the really neat info graphic about health care costs available in this article.

Counterfeit pills, direct primary care, bogus health food...

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:34:54 -0700

Counterfeit pills, direct primary care, bogus health food claims, drug-industry science and more from the Reporting on Health Daily Briefing.

(via Another Reason to Argue About Prostate-Cancer Screening | Reporting on Health)

Don’t miss today’s Reporting on Health Daily...

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:40:56 -0700

Don’t miss today’s Reporting on Health Daily Briefing.

(via Daily Briefing: The First Stem Cell-Based Drug Is Approved | Reporting on Health)

Health secretary urges contraception compromise - chicagotribune.com

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:33:34 -0700

Health secretary urges contraception compromise - chicagotribune.com:

And causes a lot of controversy in the Catholic Georgetown University.

No doubt many coffee drinkers and coffee sellers are excited...

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:39:27 -0700

No doubt many coffee drinkers and coffee sellers are excited about this one.

latimes:

Aaaand here’s the infographic. So if you’re a woman, you’re 1% more likely to die if you drink less than a cup per day? (Refilling my refill. —S.)

"Population estimates show that 50.4 percent of children younger than 1 last year were Hispanic,..."

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:59:43 -0700

“Population estimates show that 50.4 percent of children younger than 1 last year were Hispanic, black, Asian American or in other minority groups.”

- Really good graphics.

Census: Minority babies are now majority in United States - The Washington Post

"This whole episode really bothered me. He was so used to being lectured about his obesity that he..."

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:20:42 -0700

“This whole episode really bothered me. He was so used to being lectured about his obesity that he wanted to get to the guilt trip before I brought it to him. He was living in shame. Everything was due to his obesity, and his obesity was due to his lack of self-control and poor character. After all, losing weight is as simple as exercise and dietary restraint, right?”

- Particularly relevant this week with the airing of “Weight of the Nation.”

Shame | The Health Care Blog

"The government says it all depends on how you measure the price. If you compare the price per..."

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:01:42 -0700

“The government says it all depends on how you measure the price. If you compare the price per calorie — as some previous researchers have done — then higher-calorie pastries and processed snacks might seem like a bargain compared with fruits and vegetables. But comparing the cost of foods by weight or portion size shows that grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are less expensive than most meats or foods high in saturated fat, added sugars or salt.”

- Does the way the price of food is measured make any difference? The fact is that many people are still choosing less healthy options.

Healthy eating can cost less, study finds - US News and World Report