ObamaCare Website Has Been Rolling Disaster

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Debut of HealthCare.gov, the website for ObamaCare, has been a major embarrassment for President Barack Obama

You can't afford to screw up your signature accomplishment. And yet that's what the Obama administration seems to have done with the botched launch of HealthCare.gov.

After all of the overheated debates, the midnight votes and Supreme Court skirmishes, the long-anticipated October 1 ObamaCare debut has been a rolling disaster. This is not partisan spin but a matter of consensus, from the president's supporters to his most obsessive critics.

The problem lies in a website that seems more brick and mortar than terabytes. – slow-moving, complicated and badly coded. This technological leviathan was developed in large part by a Canadian government contracting firm called CGI, apparently lacking the agility of the tech-savvy activists who drove President Barack Obama's two presidential campaigns into the history books.

At a cumulative cost of roughly $300 million (£185 million) taxpayer dollars, excuses ring hollow. But the problems seem to have stemmed from a combination of sclerotic procurement rules and civil service regulations that hamstrung the development process so much that even rank amateurs spending more than five minutes on the site now dismiss it as not ready for prime time. » | John Avlon | Saturday, October 26, 2013

Is There a War on Women's Health Care?
We ask if conservative groups in the US have a growing influence over women's access to certain types of health care.

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Wales Pays to Replace French-made Breast Implants – But England Won't
THE GUARDIAN: Welsh health minister says not removing defective implants could endanger women's health

The Welsh government says it will pay to replace French-made PIP breast implants for women who were treated privately.

Welsh health minister Lesley Griffiths said not replacing the implants could endanger women's health, given some have already ruptured.

The health secretary, Andrew Lansley, will rule out following suit in England when he updates MPs on the scandal today. » | Denis Campbell | Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Greeks Pay for Economic Crisis with Their Health
THE GUARDIAN: Rising demand and cost-cutting put services at breaking point, while drug addiction, HIV and suicide rates increase

It is 4am on the emergency ward of Evangelismos general hospital - the biggest in Greece - and the stream of patients is relentless. Dr Michalis Samarkos has not stopped working since he started his shift some 14 hours earlier, and he has been besieged by patients unable to afford the tests or the drugs they need.

Many, like the unemployed diabetic man he has just examined, have gone without treatment for several days. "When you see a diabetic unable to afford his insulin you know he is going to die," says Samarkos. "There is no infrastructure to help these people. On every front the system has failed the people it was meant to serve."

Greeks are paying for their economic disaster with their health, according to a new study.

In a letter to the Lancet medical journal, a team lead [sic] by Dr Alexander Kentikelenis and Dr David Stuckler from Cambridge University and Professor Martin McKee from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warns of a potential "Greek tragedy". They point to signs of a dramatic decline in the health of the population and a deterioration of services at hospitals under financial pressure.

Many Greeks have lost access to healthcare coverage through work and social security plans, and rising poverty levels mean growing numbers who would previously have used the private sector are now flocking to state hospitals. Alongside savage spending cuts, the rise has put an immense strain on a chaotic and corrupt system that was already in decline. » | Helena Smith in Athens and Sarah Boseley | Monday, October 10, 2011

Fatal Cocktail of Common Drugs Putting Elderly at Risk
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of thousands of older people are being put at increased risk of death or developing dementia by taking combinations of common medicines to treat routine illnesses, according to a new study.


Well-known brands of hay fever tablets, painkillers and sleeping pills pose a previously unknown threat to people’s health when taken together, British scientists claim.

Many are available over the counter at pharmacies as well as being prescribed by GPs, nurses and chemists.

Today the scientists behind the study call for doctors to recognise how dangerous these drug combinations can be and to prescribe harmless alternatives instead.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia and the University of Kent identified 80 widely used medications that, when used in combination, were found to increase the risk of serious health problems.

The drugs, including common allergy treatments Piriton and Zantac, as well as Seroxat, an anti-depressant, are thought to be used by half of the 10  million over-65s in Britain. Many of the drugs, when taken in combination, were found to more than treble an elderly patient’s chance of dying within two years. » | Nick Collins, Science Correspondent | Friday, June 24, 2011

E.coli Outbreak Believed to Be New Strain of Bacteria
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: E.coli at the centre of a German outbreak is believed to be a new strain of bacteria never seen before.


Seven people in the UK have been affected by the virulent strain, including three Britons and four German nationals.

Early investigations suggest the strain is a mutant form of two different E.coli bacteria.

Hilde Kruse, a food safety expert at the WHO, told the Associated Press: "This is a unique strain that has never been isolated from patients before."

She added that the new strain has "various characteristics that make it more virulent and toxin-producing".

It is not uncommon for bacteria to continually evolve and swap genes but the new strain appears to be more virulent than other strains of E.coli.

Severe E.coli cases are usually seen in children and the elderly, but all age groups are currently affected.

According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), all the UK cases caught the infection in Germany. » | Thursday, June 02, 2011

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Death Knell for Cancer
SUNDAY EXPRESS: BRITAIN’S top cancer specialist predicts that new medical miracles will end the death toll of most cancers within a generation.

Professor Karol Sikora, former cancer adviser to the World Health Organisation, says death from the world’s most feared disease will be rare by 2025.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Express, he said an emerging revolution of drugs and technology will change the killer disease into “a stable chronic condition like diabetes that people can live with but not die of”. >>> Lucy Johnston | Sunday, February 06, 2011

This Is a Must Watch! Cholesterol Myth Exposed! They Use It to Sell Drugs That Kill You!

Study: Smoking Ups Alzheimer's Risk

All Over 40s Should Consider Daily Dose of Aspirin: Leading Expert
THE TELEGRAPH: Healthy people in their 40s should consider taking a low-dose of aspirin a day to prevent cancer, a leading expert has said.

Prof Peter Rothwell of Oxford University has found that taking the painkiller daily for five years can reduce the chance of developing colorectal cancer by a quarter and cut deaths from the disease by a third.

He said these results are the 'tip of the iceberg' and are likely to be an underestimate of its benefit in colorectal cancer prevention.

In addition he believes a similar effect is likely in other cancers such as breast, ovarian, womb, stomach and small bowel.

Prof Rothwell who is 46 said he and his wife both started taking low-dose aspirin themselves in order to reduce the chance of cancer several years ago and others in their 40s and 50s should consider it.

"The whole approach to aspirin is likely to change over the next few years. Currently people take it to prevent vascular events (such as heart attacks and stroke) but it is likely that in five years people will be taking it to prevent non-vascular diseases like cancer as well." >>> Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor | Friday, October 22, 2010

Cancer Caused by Modern Man As It Was Virtually Non-existent in Ancient World
THE TELEGRAPH: Cancer is a modern man-made disease caused by the excesses of modern life, a new study suggests.

Researchers looking at almost a thousand mummies from ancient Egypt and South America found only a handful suffered from cancer when now it accounts for nearly one in three deaths.

The findings suggest that it is modern lifestyles and pollution levels caused by industry that are the main cause of the disease and that it is not a naturally occurring condition.

The study showed the disease rate has risen dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, in particular childhood cancer – proving that the rise is not simply due to people living longer. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Thursday, October 14, 2010

Hormone Research Suggests Rich Live Longer
THE TELEGRAPH: A hormone which is more plentiful in wealthier people has been linked to longer life.

DHEAS - or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - is produced by the brain, adrenal glands and sexual organs and is a guide to life expectancy.

Researchers from University College London, working on the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, found evidence that biological ageing is slower among people with better socio-economic circumstances.

It found that the wealthier people were, the higher their levels of DHEAS.

The discovery raises the possibility that the hormone could be artificially produced and used to make people live longer.

The scientists also found that those with higher levels of it tended to do greater amounts of exercise, lead a more active life with lots of pastimes, and have more friends and family. >>> Andy Bloxham | Thursday, October 21, 2010

Vitamin B Is Revolutionary New Weapon Against Alzheimer's Disease
THE TELEGRAPH: Vitamin B tablets could slow and even halt the devastating march of Alzheimer's Disease in the elderly, a breakthrough British study suggests.

The research showed that large doses of the supplement could halve the rate of brain shrinkage – a physical symptom associated [with] memory loss and dementia in the elderly.

The effects were so dramatic that the scientists behind the work believe it could revolutionise the treatment of the disease.

Brain shrinkage or atrophy is a natural part of ageing but it is known to be accelerated in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) – a kind of memory loss and forgetfulness – and Alzheimer's.

Scientists at the University of Oxford conducted a trial on 168 people and found that taking high doses of three vitamin B supplements every day reduced brain shrinkage associated with dementia by up to 53 per cent.

They said the results were so strong that it should open up a debate as to whether the tablets should be prescribed to everyone with MCI – half of whom develop Alzheimer's disease.

MCI affects 16 per cent of people over 70 – 1.5 million people in the UK.
Professor David Smith, a pharmacologist who co-authored the study, said the results were "immensely promising".

"It is a very simple solution: you give someone some vitamins and you protect the brain," he said. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Thursday, September 09, 2010

Electronic Cigarettes Under Fire
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Steve McVey and other e-cigarette makers say their smoking devices are a safe alternative to tobacco. The FDA says they should be regulated -- no buts about it. WSJ's Danny Yadron reports.

With a Little Help from Your Friends You Can Live Longer
YAHOO! LIFESTYLE UK : Study finds being sociable is good for your health, while loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day

A life of booze, fags and slothfulness may be enough to earn your doctor's disapproval, but there is one last hope: a repeat prescription of mates and good conversation.

A circle of close friends and strong family ties can boost a person's health more than exercise, losing weight or quitting cigarettes and alcohol, psychologists say.

Sociable people seem to reap extra rewards from their relationships by feeling less stressed, taking better care of themselves and having less risky lifestyles than those who are more isolated, they claim.

A review of studies into the impact of relationships on health found that people had a 50% better survival rate if they belonged to a wider social group, be it friends, neighbours, relatives or a mix of these.

The striking impact of social connections on wellbeing has led researchers to call on GPs and health officials to take loneliness as seriously as other health risks, such as alcoholism and smoking.

"We take relationships for granted as humans," said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychologist at Brigham Young University in Utah. "That constant interaction is not only beneficial psychologically but directly to our physical health." >>> The Guardian | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pope's Pantry a Hymn to Glories of Grease
NZ HERALD: Italians impressed by Pope Benedict's good health and quick mind at the age of 83 have been shocked to learn that the German Pontiff's favourite recipes are a suicidal mix of fried, buttery and carnivorous pleasures.

The glimpse of Joseph Ratzinger's culinary wish list is granted by a new book, Eat Like a Pope, which details, in all their greasy glory, the top dishes served in the Ratzinger household in Bavaria by his mother before the war.

A cholesterol roller-coaster, the recipes range from stuffed pigeon with butter, cream and sherry, to soup with liver and onion dumplings, to the "exquisite butter and jam biscuits" that young Joseph loved.

Publisher De Agostini says the book is already into its second edition since publication last month, despite coinciding with the child abuse scandal swirling around the Vatican.

But Italian weekly L'Espresso warned children against attempting to follow the Ratzinger diet if they wanted to grow up to be Pope themselves.

"With these dishes, there is the risk of not reaching adulthood at all," the magazine stated. "This is a triumph of animal fats, sugar and cholesterol." >>> Tom Kington | Monday, June 21, 2010

Shock for NZ Smokers
NZ HERALD: New Zealand smokers are exposed to much more nicotine from cigarettes than are Australians, possibly because of a preference for high-nicotine brands on this side of the Tasman.

The results come from a tobacco industry study, which also found New Zealand smokers are exposed to the greatest average amount of tar out of 5703 smokers in eight countries.

Nicotine is the addictive part of tobacco smoke, and tar is an irritant thought to be a major cause of lung cancer.

New Zealand researchers are lobbying MPs to make tobacco companies cut the nicotine level, eventually to the level where tobacco will not be addictive. >>> Martin Johnston | Monday, June 21, 2010

Tea and Coffee Reduce Heart Disease Risk, Study Suggests
THE TELEGRAPH: Regularly drinking tea and coffee can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease, one of the biggest studies of its kind suggests.

Researchers found that moderate consumption of both drinks can reduce your chance of death from a heart attack by at least a fifth.

At the same time, it showed that risks for other diseases such as stroke were not increased.

"Our results found the benefits of drinking coffee and tea occur without increasing risk of stroke or death from all causes," said Dr Yvonne van der Schouw, professor of chronic disease at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands.

For the research her team studied tea and coffee consumption among 37,514 people, and followed the participants for 13 years to monitor heart disease and death.

They found that tea had the biggest impact on heart disease but that all but heavy consumption of coffee was also beneficial.

Those who drink between three and six cups are 45 per cent less likely to suffer coronary problems compared to people who had less than one cup daily, a study found. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Friday, June 18, 2010

Mideast Comes Up with New Anti-smoking Laws
THE TIMES OF INDIA: The Middle East, long associated with the ubiquitous waterpipe, is intensifying an anti-smoking drive as several Arab countries ban the practice in public places, even if success looks difficult.

From Beirut to Cairo, cigarettes are smoked everywhere, not just in cafes and restaurants, but in banks, ministries and even hospitals.

Egypt, the most populous nation in the Arab world and the heaviest smoker, announced on Thursday its intention to make the Mediterranean city of Alexandria the country's ‘first smoke-free city.’

But the health ministry did not say how it planned to achieve this goal.

An existing law that prohibits smoking in public places is frequently flouted -- notably by civil servants and police.

Nearly 40 per cent of Egyptian men smoke, the vast majority of them throughout the day, according to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in January.

On top of this, at least 70 per cent of those questioned for the survey said they were subjected to passive smoking at home or in the workplace.

Jordan, Syria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also looking to kick the habit, having all passed anti-smoking legislation in recent months.

In January, the Emirati president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, ordered a ban "on smoking in public transport and closed public places."

Within the UAE, Dubai took the lead, introducing smoking restrictions as far back as 2007. >>> AFP | Sunday, June 13, 2010

Saudi Arabia: Smoking Cigarettes
BLOG – STUFF SAUDI PEOPLE LIKE: It’s well known that when you start a habit when you’re young; it is really hard to get over it. A lot of Saudis start smoking at a young age, usually their first experiment with cigarettes will be with their peers in schools. From hiding in school’s restrooms to standing behind buildings, smoke comes out from every part of the schools. Most teenagers who smoke carry pack of cigarettes in one pocket and a bottle of cologne in the other. No matter how much you wear cologne or drink half of the bottle, in the end parents always find out that you smoke.

Every year the price of cigarettes go up, but that doesn’t matter. Saudis will put down money and finance a pack of cigarette, in order to get the nicotine in their system. It’s the illusion of the cool image that is associated with cigarette, makes Saudis want to smoke. Watch any Saudi smoke, from the way he holds the cigarette to the way he blows the smoke, as if he is in a Hollywood movie that is playing in a slow motion. Comment >>> saudislike | Monday, August 17, 2009

TIMES ONLINE: Heart attack hospital admissions have fallen since the smoking ban: The number of people admitted to hospital for heart attacks has dropped by an average of 100 a month since the introduction of the smoking ban in England, research shows. >>> Sam Lister, Health Editor | Wednesday, June 09, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Thousands of heart attacks 'prevented by the smoking ban': Thousands of heart attacks have been prevented by the smoking ban, according to the first study of its kind. >>> Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent | Wednesday, June 09, 2010

AFP: Unhealthy Scots 'living dangerously': study – LONDON — Scottish people are putting their lives at risk with an unhealthy lifestyle of heavy smoking, high alcohol intake and poor diet, health experts warned on Friday.

Scientists looked at five major risk factor to determine the general health of the Scottish population -- smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, poor diet, physical inactivity and being overweight.

They found that nearly the whole adult population (97.5%) fell into at least one of those categories, the experts wrote in the online journal BMC Public Health. >>> | Friday, June 11, 2010

Cancer Patient Forced by Judge to Have Surgery
THE TELEGRAPH: A cancer patient is to be forced to undergo life-saving treatment against her wishes after a landmark ruling by a judge.

Doctors will be allowed forcibly to sedate the 55-year-old woman in her home and take her to hospital for surgery. She could be forced to remain on a ward afterwards.

The case has sparked an intense ethical and legal debate. Experts questioned whether lawyers and doctors should be able to override the wishes of patients and whether force was ever justified in providing medical care.

Treatment was ordered by Sir Nicholas Wall, the President of the Family Division, in the Court of Protection, after surgeons at the woman's local hospital applied for permission to force the surgery on her. They argued that without it, advanced cancer of the uterus would kill her.

Sir Nicholas agreed because the woman, who has learning difficulties, was deemed incapable of making a rational decision about the operation.

She had previously agreed to surgery, only to change her mind and repeatedly refuse to turn up for medical appointments, claiming a phobia of hospitals and needles. >>> Martin Beckford and Stephen Adams | Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Méditer dans la nudité
CYBERPRESSE.ca: Le yoga nu gagne en popularité. Oui, oui, vous avez bien lu: yoga nu. Et non, ces cours ne sont pas organisés par la Fédération québécoise de naturisme. Le nude yoga est un mouvement né dans la communauté gaie de la Grosse Pomme, à l'instigation d'Aaron Star. Il existe bien quelques classes mixtes, mais il s'agit avant tout d'une affaire d'hommes. À Montréal, c'est au studio de David Flewelling, Mudra Force, que les adeptes de yoga nu peuvent se réunir. >>> Ève Dumas,
La Presse | Lundo 03 Mai 2010

Hot and Steamy! More Sex, Please! We’re Brazilians!
THE TELEGRAPH: Brazilians can fight off chronic illness by engaging regularly in physical exercise, and particularly in sexual intercourse, the country's health minister said.

"People need to be active. A weekend football game must not be the only physical activity for a Brazilian. Adults need to do exercise: walk, dance and have safe sex," said Jose Gomes Temporao.

The minister gave the advice as he launched a campaign to prevent high blood pressure, which afflicts a quarter of Brazil's 190-million strong population. Brazilians told to have more sexual intercourse to avoid illness >>> | Tuesday, April 27, 2010