Ira R. Allen's blog
A number of seemingly positive government-backed health initiatives ought to be seen in the light of the Bush mantra of "personal responsibility" for public hazards.
Call it a closed loop, an iron triangle or a vicious circle -- the method by which medical research is published leaves the public in a fog. Larry Altman of the Times has a pretty clear explanation of the failure of peer review.
OK, which is is -- genes or behavior? Dr. Seymour Benzer wins half a million dollars for the genes explanation. But if you want to keep your baby healthy, the odds are better if you put up safety gates than if you get prenatal genetic therapy.
The editors of Glamour have discovered the personal IS political and the Bushies are lying about women's health. Sneak a look at the May cover of Glamour magazine if you want to learn about "12 Sexual Experiences Every Man and Woman Should Have," "16 Rapid Beauty Fixes" or how to have "A Sexy Body at Any Size!" The young college-educated women the magazine caters to also can learn "Why Doctors Can't Give You the Care You Deserve."
Personalized health messages are better, even if a computer writes them.
When the number of uninsured goes up, so does the cost of health care for the rest of us. A report today showing an increase in the percentage of uninsured Americans will be fodder for the endless debate over health reform.
Katie Couric and horror-show fear-mongering by the news media and special interests are making people sick.
Examples are piling up every week about the stealth of drug- and device-makers and the laziness of the news media in keeping important safety and pricing information from the consumer.
Today, the Wall Street Journal, in a blockbuster Page One report, examines our good friend the aspirin and how drug companies have enlisted prominent scientists and journals to argue that this virtually cost-free pill may not work as well for preventing heart disease as we all assumed. Instead, they suggest, costlier drugs and devices may be the answer.
The FDA once again turns day into night and Big Pharma launders its money.
