Many women’s support and information groups are still encouraging women to disbelieve good evidence of over-diagnosis and over-treatment for breast cancer prevention, writes Hazel Thornton.
Life / Society / Health
Would calorie-counting menus help bust Australia’s big bellies?
There is a weight-busting move afoot in the US to introduce calorie-counting menus in chain restaurants. Would such a move be useful and welcomed in Australia? Health experts weigh-in.
Fruit juice: a nutritious way to get extremely fat
A glass of apple juice is no better for you than a glass of Coke — the average soft drink is 10% sugar and so is the average juice. Drinking fruit juice is just a nutritious way to get extremely fat.
America opens its first pot cafe
America’s first “pot cafe” has opened its doors in Portland, Oregon. Certified medical marijuana can get their dose of Mary Jane from the “budtenders”, as well as food, should the munchies strike. Trippy.
How many calories would you like with that order?
Croakey’s North American correspondent, Dr Lesley Russell, investigates the effectiveness of “calorie-counting” menus, while a local obesity policy expert, Jane Martin, looks at whether such an option might be useful in Australia.
New warning on the risks of surgery on your lady bits
Research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology says women are undergoing Labioplasty amid a “shocking” lack of information on the potential risks. The report also questions the idea of aesthetically pleasing genitals.
The cannabis classification wars spark up in the US
The real dangers (or lack thereof) of cannabis use are being hotly debated in the UK, and now the issue has hit the US, with the American Medical Association pushing for a review into the drug’s status as a Schedule I drug.
Too big for Japan
Are you too fat for Japan? Concerned about the prospect of an aging nation afflicted with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, Japanese lawmakers have set a maximum waistline size for anyone age 40 and older.
Nookie in your nineties: when are you too old for sex?
At age 71, Jane Fonda declared her sex life ‘better than ever’. But admit it: plenty of people in their 60s actually find sex rather a bore. All those positions? With arthritis? No thanks.
The rise of meaningless management speak is PI in the sky
The Department of Health and Ageing’s annual report worships at the altar of performance indicators, writes Professor Gavin Mooney.
Pharmacy, the most defensive and insular of all?
Are pharmacists the most defensive, insular and change resistant of all the health professions? asks Melissa Sweet.
The short-sighted epidemic
In some countries around the world, 80% of young adults are myopic, compared to only 25% a few decades ago. What’s driving this epidemic of short-sightedness? And can it be turned around before the world becomes a blur for entire generations?
Vaccinating against the power of The Google
These days consumers have access to a wealth of health information. So why would they listen to a journalist? Well, The Google doesn’t know everything, writes Nick Miller. Factual analysis is worthy too.
graph pr0n Deadly drugs: users vs. deaths vs. media coverage
Is Dr David Nutt correct that cannabis is no more harmful than alcohol? Does the drug just suffer from bad press? Data journalist David McCandless mashes up the government’s own data on drug death, users and press coverage to find out.
GM corn still approved here despite Europe, Kiwi concerns
A genetically modified variety of corn remains approved for use in Australia, despite the withdrawal of applications for approval in Europe and serious concerns about its assessment raised by a New Zealand university research team.
Fruit juice: it’s not as healthy as you’d think
In fact, it’s not healthy at all, say experts: it’s full of sugar and calories, offers relatively little nutritional value, and is likely contributing to the obesity epidemic. Yep, even the 100% stuff.
Like good health, it’s all about balance
Last week, David Gillespie criticised the use of Nestle’s Optifast weight loss shake. But the obesity epidemic of the past 30 years is not due to a single cause, writes Neil Holt.
A lot to be said for socialism in an American ER …
The Democrats passed their health-care reform legislation in the House of Representatives over the weekend, though a Senate vote will be even tougher, writes Jason Whittaker. The legislation may be imperfect, but it’s a start.
No sex education in China = 13 million abortions
A new found sexual liberalism is occurring behind closed doors and under the sheets of students in China. Unfortunately, sex education hasn’t developed as quickly, resulting in a whopping 13 million registered abortions every year.
Heart attack debate not weighted in favour of the shake
Why would Nestle start spruiking a shake diet to lose weight, which has a known cause of heart disease as one of its main ingredients? Sounds like a conspiracy for getting fat people to have heart attacks.
Drugs vs. booze
Debate is heating up in the UK after the government’s former chief drugs adviser, Dr David Nutt, was sacked over his views that cannabis is less harmful than cigarettes and alcohol. Now the scientific community is coming to his defence.
Half of all American kids receive food stamps
It seems that food stamps aren’t just for those in the ghetto. A new study shows half of all US kids will receive food stamps at some time in their childhood. Even more disturbing, 90% of black children will use them.
Why do we keep all the disabled kids out?
All immigrants to Australia must pass a health check. Fair enough, except the health conditions favour those from wealthy countries and disadvantage children. Australia views immigrant disabled kids as just a large medical bill.
graph pr0n Heath care spending around the world
How much do different countries spend on health care? And how well does that correlate with the health of their citizens? An eye-opening infographic from GOOD.
