Most patients assume that doctors and hospitals take great care to protect their health and financial records. They may be surprised, then, to learn that about 20 percent of hospitals nationwide are actually mining these confidential records, along with information from consumer marketing firms, to target a demographic of patients to whom they can most successfully promote more health services generally independent of medical need.

After evaluating the effects of several diabetes medications on blood glucose control, the American College of Physicians (ACP) has found that, although most drugs worked equally well, metformin was a cut above the rest in reducing blood sugar levels when used alone or in combination with other treatments.

The first pill to treat uterine fibroids, a common problem in pre-menopausal women, has performed well in two European clinical studies. Esmya, which is a low-dose version of the emergency birth control pill called ella, is awaiting market approval in Europe and must still be tested in the U.S.

Limb amputation necessitated by severe circulatory problems is one of the most frightening risks that diabetics face.

When we talk about vaccinations, we usually focus on children. However, a new report by the CDC shows that too many adults are shirking the immunizations that they need. As the CDC report notes, about 45,000 Americans die every year from vaccine-preventable illnesses. The authors suggest that a lack of information, as well as infrequent visits to a doctor, are most likely responsible for the low rates of important adult immunizations.

The Environmental Protection Agency s new National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants would only minimally benefit public health, while costing many millions of dollars, write Dr. Willie Soon and Paul Driessen in a Washington Times op-ed. The new standards target emissions of mercury and other airborne toxics from coal- and oil-fired power plants and electric generating units. But to what purpose, Soon and Driessen ask?

Josh Bloom, Medical Progress Today 2/5/12
Preposterous Propositions

Undercover investigators who called tanning salons posing as fair-skinned teenage girls (perhaps easier done over the phone than in person) have found that most tanning salons significantly downplay the health risks of indoor tanning when providing information to customers.

In a sadly misguided effort, ostensibly intended to curb obesity, Colorado lawmakers are considering a ban on trans-fat in schools. Beyond the regular school meals served in the cafeteria, this ban would extend to vending machines, extra items available at lunch (such as ice cream and pizza), and even after-school bake sales.

Although malaria-related deaths have been declining, a new report in The Lancet puts a damper on this good news, suggesting that the decline is not nearly as significant as we had thought.