Harvard Health Letter articles from June 2004

Harvard Health Letter archives from June 2004

Hospital report cards: Making the grade.(evaluating the credibility of report cards and grading systems for hospitals)
June 1, 2004... Will a click of the mouse replace word of mouth when it comes to picking a hospital? These days, hospitals -- like students -- have to worry about getting a bad report card. Employer groups, health insurers, government agencies, and even...

Moderation gets its day in the sun.(skin exposure to sun has health benefits as well as risks)
June 1, 2004... Have we gone overboard worrying about sun exposure? Sunlight has risks, yes, but also some benefits. D r. Robert S. Stern, chair of the Department of Dermatology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, calls them...

Vitamins: The quest for just the right amount.
June 1, 2004... For many vitamins, the minimum necessary to avoid disease -- such as scurvy from insufficient vitamin C -- is well established. Researchers also have a good handle on when large amounts could cause some harm. Much of the debate, research, and...

Doctoring the ear, nose, and throat.
June 1, 2004... A conversation with Dr. Jo Shapiro, chief of the Division of Otolaryngology at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital and a member of the Health Letter's editorial board. Let's start with sinusitis -- is it caused by a virus or...

6 tips about Medicare discount cards.
June 1, 2004... They're a stopgap and no substitute for drug coverage. But discount cards may be a good deal for low-income Americans without drug coverage. Medicare-approved drug discount cards came into effect in June 2004. They cost up to $30, but...

Do statins change calcium levels?
June 1, 2004... Q I've heard that statins lower calcium levels in the blood. Should I take a calcium supplement to make up for the deficit and protect my bones, or is low calcium healthy because calcium is a component of the plaque in arteries that causes...

An IV drug for osteoporosis?(off-label use of Aredia)
June 1, 2004... Q My wife is 80. In order to increase her bone calcium, she takes calcium citrate tablets. Her doctor now wants to put her on Aredia by IV injection every three months. Since this is not FDA approved, is it a good idea? A Good question....