‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’ Can Make the Season One You Won’t Want to Remember

By Henry I. Miller, MS, MD — Dec 19, 2023
Overindulging during holiday festivities can cause more than heartburn. You could end up in the emergency room. Prevention is the best course.

Overindulging during holiday festivities can cause more than heartburn. You could end up in the emergency room. Prevention is the best course.

Words Over Deeds: DEI Statements by Medical Schools

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Dec 18, 2023
Here's the premise: social justice and equitable care increasingly require that those individuals providing your healthcare look like you and share your lived experience. To that end, medical schools have fashioned (or refashioned) their mission statements to explicitly call for diversity in their student bodies. But as a new study shows, words and intentions are not sufficient.

Here's the premise: social justice and equitable care increasingly require that those individuals providing your healthcare look like you and share your lived experience. To that end, medical schools have fashioned (or refashioned) their mission statements to explicitly call for diversity in their student bodies. But as a new study shows, words and intentions are not sufficient.

The Media and I: Real Clear Health’s Discussion of the 'Value, Science, & Policies' of Vaccines

By Henry I. Miller, MS, MD — Dec 18, 2023
Jerry Rogers, the editor of both RealClearHealth.com and RealClearPolicy.com, moderated a discussion with several experts [1], including me, on various aspects of vaccines.

Jerry Rogers, the editor of both RealClearHealth.com and RealClearPolicy.com, moderated a discussion with several experts [1], including me, on various aspects of vaccines.

China Exports More Than Fentanyl

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Dec 15, 2023
From 1839 to 1842, the British attacked China over the Chinese government's decision to ban opium. The French joined the fray between 1856 and 1860. The military superiority of the Western powers resulted in the legalization of opium in China. Karma – in the form of China's payback to the Western powers – is a bitch.

From 1839 to 1842, the British attacked China over the Chinese government's decision to ban opium. The French joined the fray between 1856 and 1860. The military superiority of the Western powers resulted in the legalization of opium in China. Karma – in the form of China's payback to the Western powers – is a bitch.

Podcast: Wegovy, Ozempic – The Unintended Consequences; Why Only Some People Wear Masks

By Cameron English — Dec 14, 2023
The blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic have helped many patients rapidly slim down. But these powerful pharmaceuticals could have unintended consequences we may not be ready for. Meanwhile, what motivates people to wear masks? Post COVID, researchers are finally beginning to find some answers.

The blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic have helped many patients rapidly slim down. But these powerful pharmaceuticals could have unintended consequences we may not be ready for. Meanwhile, what motivates people to wear masks? Post COVID, researchers are finally beginning to find some answers.

SM Addiction Chronicles, Part II: Social Media Still Enjoys Immunity

Even as cigarette manufacturers can no longer escape liability for addiction-inducing practices, social media (SM) companies hide behind the First Amendment and The Communications Decency Act (CDA) to protect themselves. A recent case dents this shield. But the decision still protects some SM activities - even those allegedly engendering addictions in teens. I disagree with the Court’s reasoning. Here’s why.

Even as cigarette manufacturers can no longer escape liability for addiction-inducing practices, social media (SM) companies hide behind the First Amendment and The Communications Decency Act (CDA) to protect themselves. A recent case dents this shield. But the decision still protects some SM activities - even those allegedly engendering addictions in teens. I disagree with the Court’s reasoning. Here’s why.

What I'm Reading (Dec. 14)

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Dec 14, 2023
Listicles are articles consisting of lists. It is indeed the listicle season. Listicle #1 - Learning never ends. United Healthcare is no longer an insurance company; it delivers healthcare Listicle #2 – Useful Principles Plain vanilla

Listicles are articles consisting of lists. It is indeed the listicle season.
Listicle #1 - Learning never ends.
United Healthcare is no longer an insurance company; it delivers healthcare
Listicle #2 – Useful Principles
Plain vanilla

The Media and I: Sickle Cell Disease

By Henry I. Miller, MS, MD — Dec 14, 2023
I spoke recently with John Batchelor (CBS Eye on the World) and Mark Hahn (Drive Time Live, CSCJ Radio) about the recent therapeutic breakthrough in treating Sickle Cell Disease.

I spoke recently with John Batchelor (CBS Eye on the World) and Mark Hahn (Drive Time Live, CSCJ Radio) about the recent therapeutic breakthrough in treating Sickle Cell Disease.

1st Serious Effort in Years to Expand Access to Methadone Treatment

By Jeffrey Singer — Dec 13, 2023
Methadone has been known to be an effective treatment for opioid addiction and dependency since the 1960s. Unfortunately, in this country, since 1972, the federal government segregates people with opioid use disorder from people with other health conditions that doctors treat in their offices by requiring them to travel miles each day to take a daily dose of methadone at government-approved clinics. Congress may soon undertake the first serious reform in how people get methadone in more than a half-century.

Methadone has been known to be an effective treatment for opioid addiction and dependency since the 1960s. Unfortunately, in this country, since 1972, the federal government segregates people with opioid use disorder from people with other health conditions that doctors treat in their offices by requiring them to travel miles each day to take a daily dose of methadone at government-approved clinics. Congress may soon undertake the first serious reform in how people get methadone in more than a half-century.

Pollution-Related Deaths May Have Declined Since 1999. What About the Future?

By Fred Lipfert, PhD — Dec 13, 2023
The New York Times recently summarized an article from the prestigious journal Science, claiming that 460,000 fewer Medicare deaths since 1999 could be attributed to reduced emissions from 138 coal-fired power plants.

The New York Times recently summarized an article from the prestigious journal Science, claiming that 460,000 fewer Medicare deaths since 1999 could be attributed to reduced emissions from 138 coal-fired power plants.