Top Killers in America
A study published in 2016 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) identified “medical error” as the third leading cause of death in the United States. Study authors reported that medical errors are responsible for the deaths of about 251,000 Americans each year—up from the nearly 100,000 Americans estimated by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in […]
CDC’s Independence, Integrity Compromised by Funding from Private Industry
On its website, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) boasts a “Pledge to the American People” that outlines five commitments. Among these commitments is one to place the benefits to society above the benefits to the government agency. This prohibits employees “from participating in matters that post a conflict of interest or […]
ADHD Rates Surge Among American Children
ADHD cases have risen at an alarming rate in the United States according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of 2022, one in nine children had been diagnosed with ADHD—an increase of 5.4 million diagnoses since 2016.1 2 ADHD is formally known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Researchers analyzed […]
Pharma Influences Diagnoses and Treatments in “Bible” of Psychiatric Disorders
A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that 55 of the 92 American doctors who determine what diagnoses and treatments are included in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) most recent edition of their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) collectively received more than $14 million in previously undisclosed industry funding.1 The APA’s […]
Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health
If you are not already making exercise a regular part of your life, you may be missing out on brain boosting benefits including decreased risk of depression and anxiety, improved learning and memory, lowered risks of ADHD and dementia and more.1 The benefits of exercise on heart health, muscle mass, and reducing inflammation are widely […]
Big Pharma’s Influence on U.S. Medical Schools is Significant
An informal survey of medical schools conducted in 2005 by National Public Radio (NPR) showed that a number of universities and academic institutions are funded by pharmaceutical giants and other health industry sources. The survey, carried out through telephone calls and internet searches, found that two to six percent of the yearly budget of medical […]