We all know about the large amount of money the drug and device companies contribute to members of Congress, with the hope that it will lead them to support legislation that maximizes their profits...
Diane Archer
Should drug companies be allowed to advertise on TV?
On November 17, 2015, the American Medical Association voted to support a ban on drug and medical device company advertising on TV. The AMA sees a negative impact from these ads and also says these...
Glaucoma: See a doctor if you experience loss of vision or have...
Almost one in 50 people over 40 are diagnosed with glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease that hurts the eye’s optic nerve, leading to loss of vision or blindness. Early treatment, however, generally...
Preventive care: Bone density tests and osteoporosis
Preventive care is recommended to ensure you stay healthy. Bone density tests or bone mass measurements are a type of preventive care doctors often recommend to diagnose osteoporosis. Patients with...
How does age affect your cognitive abilities?
A recent study published in Psychological Science, by Laura Germine and Joshua Harshorne, looks at the age at which different types of cognitive abilities peak across a person’s lifespan...
Side effects of drugs prescribed off-label often serious
The Supreme Court is about to consider whether drug companies should be allowed to promote their drugs for off-label use as a matter of free speech. A new study in JAMA of drugs prescribed off-label...
Health benefits of a fist bump
Are you interested in reducing your chances of getting the flu this season? Well then, you might stop shaking hands with folks and start fist bumping them. That’s what the latest research...
Health screenings may have risks
For a long time now, we’ve heard about the benefits of preventive care, including screenings. And, preventive care can have many benefits. So, preventive care services are generally covered...
Over-treatment remains a problem
A new JAMA Internal Medicine study reveals that over-treatment remains a problem, even though doctors know that some of the care they provide and tests they order are unnecessary. This unneeded care...
Out-of-network coverage harder to come by
If you’re shopping for health insurance in a state health exchange, you may be hard-pressed to find a plan that covers your out-of-network care. And, that could mean huge out-of-pocket costs...