Posted 09/23/2009
Universal Health Care: Is Medicare Really a Single-Payer Success?
One doctor's opinion
By James Hubbard, MD, MPH
“If you want an example of a successful single-payer system, just look at Medicare,” many say. I say, not really. Read More >>
Posted 08/27/2009
Weekly Health Tip: Fiber to Help You Lose Weight
Build your diet around high-fiber choices
By James Hubbard, MD, MPH
“Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest; therefore, it adds volume to fill you up without adding extra calories. Weight loss genius!” Read More >>
Posted 08/20/2009
Is There a “Death Panel” in Obama’s Health Care Bill?
Of course not, you say. Ridiculous!
By James Hubbard, MD, MPH
But could an ABCNews.com report about 64-year-old Oregon woman Barbara Wagner suggest otherwise? When she was dying of lung cancer, the state insurance refused to pay for her cancer treatment because the drug didn’t give her a “5 percent survival after five years.” Read More >>
Posted 07/27/2009
A Daily Dose of D!
From sun and supplements
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
The food sources of vitamin D are considered to be less potent than the vitamin D generated by the skin, but if you aren’t in the sun often, food and supplements are basically your only vitamin D options. Food sources include salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, vitamin D–fortified products from the dairy aisle, and some types of orange juice and breakfast cereals. Read More >>
Posted 07/20/2009
Reduce Medicare Expenditures?
What does the Obama administration intend to cut or eliminate?
By Sara Myers
I try to read almost all of the articles I come across that focus on pending health care reform and its potential or proposed impact on aging services and long-term care. Almost without exception, the articles I have read discuss how important it is to cut Medicare so that we can afford to pay for health care for the millions who have none. Sounds like the same old saw: old people have an obligation to get out of the way and make room for younger generations. Read More >>
Posted 07/20/2009
The Vitamin You Need More Of
Hint: It may do more than promote bone growth
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
The winner of the award for “vitamin we’re most likely to hear more about in the future” is . . . drum roll please . . . Read More >>
Posted 06/08/2009
Holding Negative Stereotypes About Aging Is Unhealthy
A self-fulfilling prophecy?
By Sara Myers
Internalized negative stereotypes of aging developed when one is younger result in a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy when one is older. Read More >>
Posted 03/23/2009
Is Obesity Really That Bad?
Yes! In every way and at any age
By Eli Goodman, MD
Overweight and obesity are both terms for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. These terms identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems. Without going into great detail in terms of weight ranges, there are some "rules of thumb."
If your waist is too big, and/or you are out of shape and a woman who weighs more than 170 pounds or a man who weighs more than 250 pounds, you most likely are overweight or obese. Your physician can help you determine by how much, since individual variables should be considered. Read More >>
