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Policy & Ethics
The media has played a big part in disseminating false information about the causes of the opioid crisis and has done tremendous harm in the process. Addiction specialist Dr. Wolfgang Vogel gives his opinion on inaccurate reporting and its consequences.
A long campaign season might make American politicians uniquely incentivized not to solve problems. It's easier to raise money and scare up enough votes to get elected by promising change, rather than actually delivering it. This harms public health.
One of the arguments against the legalization of marijuana is that more teenagers will end up using it. But data show that teenage use of cannabis decreased after legalization.
A new study estimates that 25% of our healthcare spending is wasted. Physicians, the most easily squeezed, account for about a third. Market failures -- a term for opaque, high prices for pharmaceuticals and the high cost of administrative "complexity" -- account for the other two-thirds.
Yes, 65. Here are the articles we have published on the opioid crisis written by ACSH's Dr. Josh Bloom. Grouped and categorized, we're also providing his research to date as a reference guide for media.
When it comes to energy and climate policy, there's little rationality to be found. Those who believe that climate change is an existential threat often reject nuclear power in favor of wind and solar, despite those options being insufficient to power the planet. That said, to embrace nuclear energy, we also must have a realistic solution to the problem of waste.
In the conversation about Medicare for All, do you really know what Medicare provides? It may be surprising what a bargain it is, especially compared to private insurance.
The denial of prescription analgesic medication to chronic pain patients has caused unnecessary suffering. But it has also driven up the suicide rate, trapping those who cannot bear to live without the drugs that have kept them functioning for years. ACSH advisor Red Lawhern, Ph.D., discusses the tragedy of intolerable pain.
Andrew Kolodny's lack of knowledge of pharmacology is legendary. His chemistry must be far worse. Should I be flattered when he appears to be copying mine? "Imitation is the best form of flattery." Charles Caleb Colton, 1824 ... "Except when it makes me want to puke." Josh Bloom, 2019
Changing the world is hard work. Marching and protesting is easy, but learning about science and taking meaningful action -- like planting a trillion trees -- requires substantial intellectual and physical effort. No wonder so few are willing to do it.
The rest of the world has not been out snoozing in the sun. But Americans have had access only to older generations of sunscreens that prevent sunburn — but not the deeper damage that can cause skin cancer.