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Recent Blog Posts
Keyless Ignitions are Dangerous
Nineteen people are dead with many other close calls as the result of keyless ignition systems found in many new cars, according to the safety group KidsAndCars.org. As reported by NBC News, drivers are inadvertently pulling into garages and leaving their vehicles with the key fobs but with engines still running. This has led to carbon monoxide poisoning and death. The problem is that most of us are used to only being able to take the key out of the ignition after the engine is turned off.
The auto industry abruptly changed this with the introduction of keyless fobs, where a driver can, by habit, leave the vehicle with the key (fob) but the engine can be left running and spewing carbon monoxide into the garage and residence. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified this as a “clear safety problem” in 2011, nothing has been done about it. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is pushing for a solution to the problem and deserves our support. In the meantime, if you drive a car with a keyless ignition, remember to always manually turn the engine off before leaving the vehicle.
Food Poisoning Deaths Most Prevalent in Children, WHO Says
Each year, food poisoning causes 550 million illnesses and 230,000 deaths worldwide. Children, who make up only 10 percent of the world’s population, account for at least one-third of those deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently found. But even more devastating than the statistics themselves is the fact that foodborne illnesses are completely preventable.
The Human Cost of Foodborne Illness
Foodborne illnesses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or chemicals found in food or water. In countries like Africa and Southeast Asia, most illnesses can be traced back to a lack of unclean or improperly stored water. But foodborne illness is not sanctioned to developing countries. In fact, nearly 10 percent of all people around the world (600 million) fall ill because foods have been improperly grown, handled, stored, or cooked. Of those, 420,000 die; 125,000 of them are children under the age of five.
Could Yelp Help in Tracking Down Food Poisoning Outbreaks?
By Daniel Kotin
More than 30 million cases of food poisoning are reported in the United States each year. Many others go unreported and untreated. Clearly, it is a serious problem—one currently without a viable solution. However, experts have begun to question whether or not applications and websites, such as Yelp, may be able to help in tracking down outbreaks and shutting down repeat or serious offenders.
The Dangers of Food Poisoning
At first glance, food poisoning might not seem like a serious condition. However, symptoms can range from mild gastroenteritis and dehydration to life-threatening neurologic, hepatatic, and renal syndromes. Of course, most victims do recover, but a recent study managed to trace more than 2,000 annual deaths to foodborne illnesses and pathogens. Though slightly lower than the previously estimated 9,000 deaths per year, it is clearly still a prominent issue in the United States.
Woman Kicked Out of Hospital Dies
By Bob Geimer
Fifty-seven-year-old Barbara Dawson had terrible pain in her abdomen and was taken by ambulance to Calhoun Liberty Hospital near Tallahassee, Florida Sunday night. Doctors decided there was nothing wrong and discharged her, but feeling something was wrong, Ms. Dawson did not leave. So the Hospital called police and she was arrested for disorderly conduct. But something was wrong – Ms. Dawson was suffering from a pulmonary embolism (PE), a blood clot in her lung - and collapsed while in handcuffs outside the hospital and died. The shame of it is that PE can be easily diagnosed with an imaging test. Had this been done, Ms. Dawson could have been treated and would be alive today. Instead, she was shackled and died a horrible death. This is inexcusable. Doctors are taught to listen to their patients, and when Ms. Dawson was telling them something wasn’t right, they should have listened.
23 Illinois Hospitals Penalized for Infection Rates
Twenty-three Illinois hospitals will be penalized about $12 million for high infection rates, according to the Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-hospital-infection-rate-1217-biz-20151216-story.html
FDA Warns Intravascular Devices Can Peel
The FDA has issued a warning that the coatings on intravascular devices may peel off and cause serious injuries to patients. In a Safety Communication, the FDA has warned that it has received about 500 reports since early 2014 of these coatings flaking or peeling off intravascular devices such as guidewires, catheters and introducers, which have been used in many different types of medical procedures. Adverse events include stroke, embolism and heart attack. Though the FDA has taken the position that the overall benefits of these devices continue to outweigh the risks, it is urging caution in their use and urging physicians to follow a set of recommendation to reduce the risk of flaking and peeling.
UPDATE: Karma!
Martin Shkreli, the 32 year-old hedge fund manager who profited by jacking-up the price of drugs needed by the seriously ill and then flaunting his wealth by blowing $2 million on a single record album, was arrested this morning by federal authorities at his Manhattan apartment. He has been charged with securities fraud related to his time as a hedge fund manager and running the biopharmaceutical company Retrophin. Let’s just say karma is a 5 letter word!
Shampoo Causing Hair Loss?
If you’re a channel-flipper you may have run across infomercials for Wen shampoo, touting a unique formula “that cleanses hair thoroughly without lather or harsh sulfates found in some ordinary shampoos.” Celebrities including Brooke Shields and Angie Harmon have endorsed the product, and it is promoted by marketing firm Guthy-Renker, famous for Tony Robbins and other infomercials. Unfortunately, this “unique” shampoo makes your hair fall out, at least according to a complaint filed by more than 200 consumers in 40 states. In a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of California (link), which is itself unique as the pleading document contains pictures of consumers with chunks of hair missing, consumers allege that Wen shampoo contains harsh ingredients that cause hair loss, and further allege that the manufacturer knew about consumers’ complaints but refused to do anything about them. As we wait to see the outcome of this litigation, it is important to remember to be a diligent consumer and be appropriately skeptical of slick marketing campaigns.
A Special Place in Hell
Previously I wrote about Martin Shkreli, the 32 year-old “hedge fund” manager who acquired a 62-year-old drug used to treat infection and then jacked-up the price from $13.50 per tablet to $750 per tablet. As if that wasn’t enough, Mr. Shkreli has now gone out of his way to make sure he has a first class ticket to Hades. First, he told a Forbes magazine healthcare conference that if he could do it all over again, he would have raised prices even higher. Then, as reported by Bloomberg Business, rap group Wu Tang Clan put the only copy of its new album up for auction to the highest bidder and – you guessed it – Mr. Shkreli was the winning bidder, paying $2 million for a record album. All the while millions of sick, elderly, and otherwise hard-working Americans cannot afford the outrageous prices of prescription drugs. And this guy - who has been gouging these Americans with no remorse - spends $2 million on a record album? You may want to order your flame-retardant suit now, Mr. Shkreli, you’re going to need it.
Thinking of Buying a Compact Car? Highway Loss Data Institute Encourages You to Think Again
In an effort to reduce their gas prices and their impact on the environment, many Americans have turned to compact cars. However, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) suggests that you reconsider. This year, they analyzed 2012 and 2014 vehicles according to how frequently they received filings of personal injury claims. The results, released in October, consistently show just how dangerous compact cars can be.
Why Compact Cars Tend to Score Poorly
A basic understanding of the law of physics is all it takes to see why compact cars score lower in crash tests and the analyses such as those done by HLDI. Typically, compact cars have less horsepower and are overwhelmingly smaller than other vehicles on the road. When they are in an accident—or when they are at risk of colliding—compact cars are less apt when it comes to maneuvering out of trouble, and they usually suffer more damage. As a result, the occupants of these vehicles are at a higher risk of suffering a personal injury.
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