Health News

According to the New York Times, scientific retractions are on the rise. But elsewhere, audacious, falsified research stands un-retracted -- including the work of authors who actually went to prison for fraud.

The national hysteria over obesity has reached a crescendo this week, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosts the conference, "Weight of the Nation," in Washington, D.C.

Now, more than ever, it's crucial for all of us to inventory whether we have unused and expired medicine in our homes and take immediate, safe steps to dispose of them -- before they end up in the wrong hands.

Harnessing the power of social media for any social good is to be commended, and the issue of organ donation is near and dear to my heart (and kidneys).

Tirades are, by their very nature, apt to gain a lot of attention and "go viral." They are dramatic. They are extreme, provocative, and full of intrigue. Hype sells. Unfortunately, much of the time -- it is wrong.

Physicians do a terrible job at assessing a patient's health literacy. We are educating a new generation of doctors and nurses to use plain language, but in the meantime there are some steps you can take so you don't fall into the same trap that I did.

What most people don't realize, let alone really think about, is that there might be other studies that show that X does none of those things -- and that some of those studies might never have been published.

In times when I keep track of my finances online, reconnect with old friends online, purchase goods online and go to the movies, you guessed it... online, it's absolutely astounding how it's still rare for me to be able to get my lab results at the click of a mouse.

The association of animal protein (especially that loaded with highly saturated fat) and increased health risks is not new. Does the threat of death, as opposed to unpleasant diseases like cancer and heart disease, make a difference in how consumers behave?

Boric acid. Lead paint. Floor wax. Rat poison. You might expect to find these under your sink, but these substances have also made dangerous appearances where you would least suspect: in counterfeit medicines.

Making delegates believe their attendance at a conference will change the world -- and dashing off to do it as a result -- is surely the Holy Grail of conference organizers. Perhaps they should be looking to TED/TEDMED for clues to the formula.

I used to think a mani/pedi made for the perfect relaxing, healthy way to escape from my life for a few minutes. As it turns out, this seemingly-benign reward can be extremely hazardous for our health.

I am constantly impressed with my 10-year-old autistic daughter Emma's mind and creative use of words. I often think when I listen to her that there's a kind of poetry in the way she phrases things, the way she will use seemingly unrelated words to describe something.

The problem is actually that we're living longer, but the longevity is fueled by very expensive chronic diseases that were preventable. The dream of living a long, healthy life has been replaced by living a long, sick life.

This week, I have seen a potential future of the nation's health -- and heard from and interacted with some of the players that are trying to impact and improve it.

The sugar status quo is increasingly bitter, rather than sweet. But it's profitable for some folks, even if others have to pay, and thus change seems long in coming. I suspect that eventually, however, good sense will win out here.

Medicine has changed, and it has changed for the good. As medical professionals, we must meet this challenge head-on to be in a position that we can interact with you to accomplish great things.

This National Public Health Week is a great time to begin moving toward a more active lifestyle. Social responsibility with programs like the National Plan for Physical Activity and the Let's Move Campaign are critical to improving public health.