What’s Hot and What’s Not: 2011 Health Care Roundup
It’s cliché to say that it’s hard to believe 2011 is nearly over, but so much has happened this past year that we almost expect the year to keep going. At Ask a Patient, we’ve been looking at hot topics in health and medicine, and we wanted to share some of this year’s hits with you.
2011 saw a number of developments in stem cell research, including the world’s first artificial windpipe created from stem cells. Doctors also managed to repair heart damage by injecting stem cells into patients’ otherwise irreparably damaged hearts.
And 2011 was mostly a great year for lovers of food and drink. Chocolate was shown to improve heart health, and researchers discovered that coffee appears to lower the risk for certain kinds of cancer and build resistance to some infections. And having a glass of wine with dinner can help you stay health as you age.
But 2011 saw a few food scares as well. Cantaloupes infected with listeria passed the deadly infection onto consumers; there were also concerns raised about the levels of arsenic in apples and groundwater. And that glass of wine we mentioned? Research in 2011 also tied moderate drinking to a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
Doctors in 2011 discovered new diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and HIV. A preventive vaccine developed in Canada is about to be tested in HIV patients, and a cure could soon become a reality. But some doctors expressed concern over the number of tests recommended to patients, especially as those patients age; some tests, like the PSA and mammograms, might do more harm than good.
The good news is, despite any concerns, there are a few easy things 2011 showed us that we can do to live healthier: quit smoking (the sooner you quit, the greater the benefits), soak up the sun, smile, and spend time with friends. Have a look at our roundup of the some of the best and worst health news of the past year, compiled from AskaPatient’s tweets over the year. We wish you a happier and healthier 2012. Cheers!
Click on the highlighted word to link to source.
Drugs & Treatments: The Good News
Drug patents are expiring, making way for cheaper generics in 2012
FDA approved 35 new drugs this year compared with 21 last year
New Ebola vaccine can be stockpiled
Stem cells shown to be capable of repairing heart damage
Stem cells used for first artificial windpipe
Stem cells treatment used for first time for spinal nerve repair
Stem cells show promise for treating Parkinson's
Harmless virus appears to kill cancer cells
Promising new lung cancer drug available for niche group
Gene therapy shows promise for treating HIV
Scientists are fighting malaria with sterile mosquitoes
FDA has approved trials for a vaccine that prevents HIV
Genetically engineered T cells can quash cancer cells
New tool identifies melanoma with light
New blood test measures Alzheimer’s progression
Breakthrough in diabetes: testing tears instead of blood
New cheaper, faster, accurate HIV blood test
Drugs & Treatments: the Bad News
Drug shortages are causing problems
FDA reports more than 350 drug and food recalls in 2011
Less vaccinations lead to measles outbreaks in Europe and possibly forecast here
Flu shots may suppress antibodies to other strains of influenza in children
Asthma drugs might mask dangerous symptoms
Disappointing breast cancer drug Avastin (FDA withdrew its approval)
Product packaging defects, such as for eye drug Avastin and birth control pills
Drug deaths outnumber traffic fatalities
Consumers are extremely concerned about drug safety
Tenofivir gel proved ineffective treating HIV in trial
Dartmouth study suggests only 1 in 8 saved by mammogram
Drug-resistant tuberculosis has researchers in Europe concerned
The prospect of drugs raise “Big Brother” concerns
Food: the Good News
Non-fried fish lowers Alzheimer’s risk
Purple potatoes make blood pressure plummet
Chocolate may lower risk of stroke and is good for heart health
Coffee may lower risk of uterine cancer and reduces depression in women
Coffee and tea drinkers might be more resistant to the MRSA superbug
Moderate drinking may help you stay healthy as you age
Red wine could boost your metabolism and help with weight loss
White fruits and veggies (pears and cucumbers) might cut stroke risk
FDA says organic arsenic found in apple juice is harmless
Food: the Bad News
Well-done red meat associated with higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer
Processed red meat leads to increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Canned soup found to have high BPA levels
Salt: Too much or too little salt is bad for cholesterol
Some groundwater may have high levels of arsenic
Consumer Reports found high levels of organic arsenic in juices
Vitamin supplements might actually do more harm than good
Pesticides linked to prostate cancer
Aspartame (in diet sodas) linked to tumor growth and Americans are drinking too many drinks
Moderate drinking also linked to slightly higher breast cancer risk
Cantaloupes were found to blame for mysterious Listeria outbreak
Lifestyle: the Good News
Vermont is the healthiest state to live in
Quitting smoking lowers (not just lung) cancer risk
Sunshine’s vitamin D protects against heart failure
More Americans normal weight than overweight according to poll
Smiling leads to longevity
Keeping busy and having friends turns bad fat to good in mice
Moderate drinking may help you stay healthy as you age
Exercise cuts dementia risk, boosts vitamin D , and lowers heart disease risk
No link found between cell phones and cancer
Lifestyle: the Bad News
Mississippi is the unhealthiest state
Foreclosure crisis is affecting American's health
Being underweight linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s
Slightly elevated blood pressure may increase risk for stroke
Wi-Fi use on desktop computers lowers sperm count
Watching SpongeBob Squarepants hampers kids' brainpower
Southerners are more likely to take antibiotics
Lack of mother-toddler bonding linked to teen obesity
Health Care Policy & Practice: the Good News
Doctors are concerned about "over-treating" patients
Many patients are now getting their vaccines from a pharmacist instead of a physician
Healthcare costs are expected to rise at the lowest rate since 1997
Analyzing patient data could result in fewer hospitalizations
The call for price transparency in health care
Health Care Policy & Practice: the Bad News
Many practitioners busted this year for making fraudulent Medicare claims
Many patients don't have a clue as to what their medical bills will be
Improper hand washing by hospital practitioners is leading to more infections
Supreme Court rules that VT doctors cannot opt out of sale of Rx data by pharmacies
Electronic medical records might not be secure
Americans forgo psychiatrist and psychologist visits but take more psychiatric drugs than ever. More than 1 in 10 Americans are taking antidepressants but most never see a mental health professional.
-by Chuck Pletcher. Contact him and follow health news at Twitter.com/Askapatient
AskaPatient.com has been providing comparative drug information for consumers since 2000. Operated by Consumer Health Resource Group, LLC, AskaPatient has more than 100,000 patient reviews of prescription drugs. Subscribe to our weekly twitter news feed at www.askapatient.com
Comments