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The Vaccination Dance - Part Two
Knowing that smallpox can be a virulently contagious virus and knowing that only the vaccination can prevent it from spreading, what exactly is the motive of the CDC in reassuring the American public that smallpox is not a disease we should vaccinate against.
The Vaccination Dance - Part One
The CDC has come out officially with a stance of stating that the smallpox vaccine should not be routinely given to prevent an outbreak should a biological attack occur. But what is the CDC really saying?
The Dilemma of Vaccinations
Although it would seem to have blown over, the Anthrax attack is now producing more concerns for its victims than it did originally. Some hard decisions have to be made. Part one of a two part article about vaccinations and bioterrorism.
Smallpox: British and American Models Show Different Outcomes
As scientists work to understand the potential impact of a smallpox attack, British studies and American studies are showing very different results. These differences could be crucial to dealing with smallpox should such an attack occur.
What Exactly Is Smallpox?
What exactly is smallpox? We hear the word every time we turn on the news or open a newspaper. But how many people really know much about the disease itself?
A Short History of Bioterrorism
Now the United States and other Western nations are faced with an old threat, under a new name, Bioterrorism. Learn more about how biological warfare, smallpox in particular, has been used in warfare for over 300 years.
Murder Without a Clue
How did 94 year old Ottilie Lundgren contract inhalation anthrax? Investigators probe this mystery while the Post Office gives you some helpful hints to protect your family.
Tracing the History of a Plague - Part Three
Thanks to the writings of Thucydides, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been able to use retrodiagnosis to speculate on the true nature of The Plague of Athens. Their findings may surprise you.
Tracing the History of a Plague - Part Two
Like physicians today, Thucydides describes in detail the symptoms that he and others suffered as they became infected with The Plague of Athens. Thanks to his eye for detail, modern scientists are learning more about the surprising identity of this mystery plague.
Tracing the History of a Plague - Part One
Five Hundred years before Christ, the Greek writer Thucydides wrote of a mysterious plague that struck the city of Athens during the Peloponnesian War. In this three part series, using a technique called retrodiagnosis, I'll explore the background, symptoms and finally the solution to this literary and medical mystery. Why? Because to understand the future of bioterrorism, one must understand the past.
Doctors Without Borders Speaks Against US Humanitarian Aid
Doctors Without Borders has been an organization dedicated to helping people of the world with medical and other health care needs. Now they have come out with a political statement putting them in opposition to the actions of the coalitions fighting terrorism and possibly undermining the efforts of the United States after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington.
The Chemical/Biological Threat of Terrorism
With the attack on the United States by terrorists, more and more people are wondering about the threat of chemical or biological weapons. Find out more about what these two types of weapons are and how you can help keep your family safe in many cases.
September 11. 2001
September 11, 2001 is a day that we will never forget. What can we do now and what should we do to bring the reality of this tragedy to our movie, television and video game generation.
A Measure of the Public's Health
On a bridge in Seattle recently a woman made a fateful decision. But was it her decision entirely and what does this event show as we examine the health of our society today?
West Nile Virus Spreads - Part Two
Part Two of this article explores the spread of West Nile and gives some facts and advice relevant to the risk of becoming infected.
West Nile Virus Spreads - Part One
West Nile has appeared as one of the newest in the category of emerging diseases. In just two years, this bird carried illness has migrated from the East Coast to Ohio, killed nine people and most likely infected thousands more. Part one of a two part article.
Comfrey Pulled by the FDA
In a major policy shift, the FDA has ordered the recall of the herb Comfrey. This herb commonly used for a variety of conditions has been found to cause liver damage, is a carcinogen and can be deadly.
Prescriptions on the Net? No Problem!
Recently the FDA and the U.S. Customs testified about a growing problem. Medications are being imported into the United States in such quantities that inspection and FDA approval has become physically impossible. What does this mean to the consumer?
20 Years of AIDS
Today an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and another 320,000 people are living with AIDS. New infections, which peaked at over 150,000 in the mid-1980s, were reduced to an estimated 40,000 a year in the early 1990s. Since the beginning of the epidemic, well over one million Americans have been infected.
Hospital Stays Grow Shorter
Although hospital stays are growing shorter, the reasons remain the same. Heart Disease, pneumonia, cancer and psychoses are still our major health problems.
Xenical and the Can of Worms
The FDA has requested that a drug be pulled from advertising through the media due to an issue of side effects not being listed. But it seems the problem may be much deeper than that as online pharamacies sell this drug and many others... without a physician's prescription or recommendation.
The Eradication of Polio
The WHO has reported that they believe the end of the most deadly form of polio may be in site. With statistics dropping more than 99% it seems that the most virulent form of the dreaded disease may be headed the way of smallpox.
The Bioterrorist Threat
A new type of terrorist is threatening the nation. Learn more about bioterrorism and what is being done to prevent and deal with it.
FDA Caught in the Middle
The FDA is in the unenviable position of being caught between medical opinion and government policy. Learn more about the challenges faced by the agency as it wrestles with the reproductive rights issue.
British Say Foot-and-Mouth Controlled
The British government announced that the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is under control. Find out what that means for travelers and for the British agricultural industry.
Injectable Anesthesia Drug Being Withdrawn From Market
An injectable anesthesia drug is being pulled from the market after it was discovered it could cause bronchospasm leading to permanent injury or even death.
New Drug Brings Hope for Alzheimer's Disease Patients
An experimental drug called Neotrofin may be the world's first Alzheimer's disease therapy drug that regenerates nerve cells in the brain, potentially bringing patients long-term effects.
Partners In Crime
The partnership between the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry now points to cover-ups in the Rezulin case. Published reports show that senior officials at the FDA knew of problems and conspired with Warner-Lambert to hide the truth.
U.S. Restricts European Travel
The USDA is working hard to prevent the introduction of Foot and Mouth disease into the United States. Take a look at some of the extreme measures they've taken to prevent its spread.
Power Lines and Cancer Risk
A new study on the cancer risk to children living near high voltage power lines may be useful in suits against the electrical power industry.
Monistat, Coumadin and the FDA
The FDA knew about the problem for a long time but it wasn't until medical journals made the issue public, that they did anything about it.
Is Mad Cow Disease Headed Our Way?
While no cases of Mad Cow Disease have been confirmed in the United States, that doesn't mean it isn't here and it isn't deadly.
SPECIAL ALERT - RECALL OF ANSO COMFORT CAPSULES
There has been an emergency recall of Anso Comfort Capsules, an herbal supplement, due to to contamination by a prescription sedative medication.
The FDA's Front Door
Did you know that you can go directly, as a patient or the representative of a patient, to the FDA with a complaint of an adverse effect due to the result of a medication?
Taking Advantage of the Situation
Pharmaceutical companies often take advantage of epidemics in other countries to speed up their testing programs. Often these tests interfere with medical treatment that is needed for patients to survive.
The Need For Speed
If a drug company needs to get approval fast, where do they turn? In many cases, they turn to foreign testing to bypass the delays caused by the FDA's approval process.
Doctor's Without Borders
Doctor's Without Borders is an organization dedicated to the humanitarian medical aid of people around the world. Working strictly on a volunteer basis, these people risk their own lives in putting the needs of others above themselves.
American Crisis: The Emergency Room - Updated 1/16/01
In Part 2 of this article, some of the potential causes for the emergency room problem are investigated as related to managed health care and the the need for a solution is discussed.
American Crisis: The Emergency Room
There is without question a crisis in medical care in the United States. Where no one really expected this crisis to hit, and hit hard, was in the Emergency Room. Once the safe haven, immune from all of the business wranglings, this form of medical care is in danger.
December 2000 Recalls
December was a busy month for medication recalls with one recall in particular being a serious situation. For those who use injectable medications, please check this list carefully.
FDA Officially Strives to Reduce Drug Errors
A press release by the FDA on December 21, 2000, announces the agency's awareness of the problem of medication errors and has made a step to reduce the number of side effect issues and the resulting injuries and deaths. This is a good step in the right direction involving adequate patient care.
Chicken Pox - Another Vaccine and Another Potential Problem
More and more evidence is being discovered that another mandatory vaccine causes more harm than good. Find out what one state is doing about it.
Vaccine Safety In Question
How safe are the common vaccines that are given worldwide to prevent disease? According to published reports, problems with vaccines are arising around the globe.
Estrogen Listed as a Carcinogen
Several agents were added to the list of carcinogens recently. Find out what effect these have and why they were added.
November 2000 Recalls
The November recalls include a medication that this column warned about in August. Five people have now died as a result of this drug.
Pharmacists: Requirements or Courtesy
When Cameron Pettus died at the age of 14 from a drug that was perhaps inappropriate for his age, the pharmacy was sued. And the pharmacy won.
Medicare Changes Inevitable No Matter Who Wins
No matter who wins the battle for President, one thing is certain. Medicare recipients hopefully will end up winning the war.
Burton and Physicians Call for Changes
Congressman Burton and the AAPS have called for some serious changes in the vaccination programs currently required in the United States. These changes could have a major impact on the medical care of the American public.
Recalls for October, 2000
October was a quiet month for recalls from the FDA, but it could become one of the most significant months ever, if an Indiana Congressman has his way.
Ebola Is Back
Uganda is experiencing an Ebola outbreak and the United States has not yet restricted travel. Why are people being allowed to go to and from this country, when the risk factors are so high?
Minnesota Says BC/BS Denies Kids Coverage
Minnesota Blue Cross/Blue Shield has been sued for failing to cover certain groups of children. Not only that, but they want you to pay for it.
Emergency Alert for Arthritis Sufferers
A common arthritis medication has been recalled due to contamination with a heart medication which could cause life threatening complications.
Recalls for September, 2000
The end of September brings us recalls, and once again, there are many that can affect our lives. Medications and taco shells seem to top the list.
Flu Vaccine Shortage - Protection for Who?
For the flu season 2000-2001, there appears to be a shortage of vaccines for people who may need or want this vaccine. The question is why is their a shortage in the first place?
Patients at Risk in America's Hospitals
Due to financial considerations, many hospitals are putting their patients at risk by increased demands on their nursing staffs, reduced training, and inferior equipment. These issues have resulted in patient deaths and injuries of a staggering degree.
Heart Attacks a Frightening Risk for Young Women
Young women are not immune to having a heart attack. In fact, they are likely to be misdiagnosed, often with disasterous results.
Recalls for August, 2000
It's the last weekend of the month and time to review the recalls that have hit in the last 30 days.
Lotronex - Another Pharmaceutical Backfire
Once again a pharmaceutical company and the FDA have rushed into releasing a medication. And once again there are victims.
Norplant Recall - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
The Norplant method of birth control has been used widely by women around the world. Now Norplants, shipped since October, 199, have been recalled due to suspected ineffectiveness.
Can't Afford Your Prescriptions?
All over America, people can not afford their medications and are being forced to choose between food and prescriptions. But there is help available, with a little work.
A Revolution in Illinois
An Illinois HMO is breaking with tradition and allowing Chiropractic Physicians to serve as Primary Care Physicians. What will the impact on traditional medical practice be as a result of this revolutionary move?
July 2000 Health Related Recalls
Each month the Public Health Issues site will feature a list of recalls which have an effect on the health and safety of the public. These are some of the products recalled during July 2000.
A Matter of Semantics
The renaming of pharmaceutical products is a common and potentially dangerous situation which the FDA is allowing. Why? It could be a matter of higher profits for the company, without regard to the welfare of the patient.
Screened from the Sun or from Your Choice
The FDA, effective in 2001, will be removing the numbers from the SPF values on sunscreens and no sunscreens higher than SPF 30 will be allowed to be marketed. The choice of SPF, from 2 to 60, will be removed from the consumer with only the selections of minimum, moderate or high available. Once again the right to choose has been removed by a public health agency.
Lupus...Ignored by Congress
A bill to provide funds for Lupus research, has been sitting on the shelf in Congress. How long must the victims of this autoimmune disorder wait?
Thimerosal... Mercury is a Friend to No One
Although Thimerosal has been ordered out of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, it still remains in many products. Why?
The Uncertainty of Medical Confidentiality
While Congress bickered over passing a medical confidentiality law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services stepped in to protect your rights. Now the controversy is really starting to boil.
Rezulin: Magic Bullet or Deadly Bullet?
Rezulin, a drug approved by the FDA for Type II Diabetes, has been recalled after a series of deaths and liver failures. Should it ever have been approved in the first place?
The FDA and Tagamet
In 1995, the FDA approved Tagamet for Over-The-Counter sale. Is this a health issue or a financial issue?
You Get What You Pay For
...unless you are Congress and someone decides to spend the money elsewhere. Read about the CDC and the recent misuse of fundings for specific disease research.