Considerable improvements have been made in the health of the population of the United States in the last three decades owing to healthy living interventions, specifically a reduction in smoking. However, during the same period, substantial increases in the incidence of overweight and obesity have adversely impacted the health of the same population. A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) reports that the negative effects of the obesity epidemic, if it continues, will virtually destroy the positive gains made by smoking cessation and prevention programs. Read more →

During the last several decades, industrialized countries have experienced a growing gap between the rich and the poor. This income inequality is believed to damage health, with even modest associations between inequality and health outcomes having substantial ramifications for society as a whole. While most analyses of income inequality and health have revealed inconsistent results, a new meta-analysis published in a recent issue of British Medical Journal (BMJ) supports the link between income inequality and mortality and self-rated health. Read more →

Once upon a time, a lively old man named Santa Claus worked very hard — all by himself, not exploiting animals or short people — to make safe, educational toys to deliver to children all over the world on Christmas Eve. Santa exercised regularly, and ate a balanced diet of whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy body mass index. He never drank alcohol or smoked a pipe. And, while a sleigh would make his job of delivering presents easier, he donned his running shoes and globe-trotted on foot. Santa left the toys for the boys and girls outside their front doors, as to not endanger himself by climbing on an icy, snowy roof or creating a fire hazard by plunging down a chimney. Plus, he would never want to be accused of breaking and entering. Read more →

Physicians are under mounting pressure to increase efficiency in the provision of medical care. That is, see more patients in less time for less money. But, since speed and accuracy do not always go hand-in-hand, does this increased physician efficiency lead to quality medical care? A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine says “not so fast.” Read more →

Is your doctor happy? This is something that may have never crossed your mind: the idea that your personal physician may not be pleased with the current state of his or her life. Even if it has, perhaps you were of the opinion that it was not of minor importance if it did not affect the quality of medical care and attention which you received.

The general public’s image of the lives that medical professionals face is colored by 50 minute sitcoms where problems related to the characters, both personal and professional, are often neatly resolved by the time the final credits roll. Read more →

A recent study proved what we all already know… that healthy living really does improve long-term health. A lot. The US-based study found that not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight (BMI <30), exercising regularly (3.5 hours/week) and eating a balanced diet (high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, low in meat) reduced the risk of developing chronic disease by nearly 80% over the course of the study. 80%! Just imagined if a new drug promised an 80% reduction in chronic diseases — it would be a wonder drug! People would be beating a path to their primary care providers, demanding a prescription. Shareholders in the manufacturers would never have to work again! Read more →