Category: Interesting Links

Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

Cause of the use of TB: urban living; cause of its decline: better housing.

In 1975, the restaurant critic Craig Claiborne ate a $4,000, 31-course, 9-wine meal (cost today: $17,000).

Reason for the fall of South Vietnam: Congress cut their aid in half.

May 10, 2012 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

Sedating unruly nursing home patients: 19% of residents who did not have a diagnosis for which the drugs are recommended were receiving them.

Henry Aaron changes his mind about premium support.

More than 1 in 10 babies born premature.

$200 unpaid ambulance bill causes $4,000 increase in mortgage costs.

May 09, 2012 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

Global budgets are coming to Massachusetts.

The researchers found an astonishing 37 errors for every 100 paper prescriptions, versus around 7 per 100 for those who used e-prescribing software.

Simply put, Obama has become more hostile to medical marijuana patients than any president in U.S. history.

May 08, 2012 | 7 comments | by John Goodman

Ineffective Psychotherapy, and Other Links

The longer psychotherapy takes, the less likely it is to be effective.

A candidate’s appearance — not beauty, but a look of competence — can generate a far greater vote swing than we previously thought.

Happiest states: Hawaii, North Dakota, Alaska, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

Saddest states: Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Nevada, and Rhode Island.

May 02, 2012 | 3 comments | by John Goodman

Dropping Health Insurance, and Other Links

Consultants to employers: drop health insurance.

Does the president have an “enemies list”?

A tribute to Milton Friedman. HT: Greg Mankiw.

More than 70 percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers obtain the drugs from friends or relatives, usually with permission and for free.

Hospital debt collectors catch deadbeats in the emergency room and in hospital beds.

May 01, 2012 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Obama’s High Spending Levels, and Other Links

Maintaining the president’s higher spending levels will require raising taxes for all Americans, including an 11% increase on those earning less than $200,000.

Violence “ages” children’s DNA, the equivalent of seven to 10 years of premature aging.

Woman consumed two gallons of Coca-Cola per day. She’s dead at age 30.

Woman tries to live on sunlight; dies.

Apr 27, 2012 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Barney Frank on Health Care, and Other Links

Barney Frank on health care: “Obama made the same mistake Clinton made.”

The latest in rationing by waiting at Walt Disney World.

An accountant explains the federal budget. Thanks to John Dunn for the pointer.

Per capita Medicare and Medicaid spending in 2007 for dual eligibles was $29,868, more than four times the per capita spending for other Medicare beneficiaries.

In defense of oil speculation. HT: Greg Mankiw.

Apr 26, 2012 | 2 comments | by John Goodman

Mining Asteroids, and Other Links

Mining asteroids.

MRI scans can predict eating and sexual behavior.

A smart alarm can monitor your sleep and wake you gently while you are in a light stage of sleep, which will leave you feeling less groggy.

2.5%: The percentage of people who can multitask efficiently.

Chuck Blahous explains to Health Affairs readers why double counting is impermissible – again!

Apr 26, 2012 | 7 comments | by John Goodman

Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

Health spending per capita now equals 30 percent of median income.

Unmanned spy planes are being launched from locations in 20 states and owners include the military and universities.

Apr 24, 2012 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Speed Reading Course, and Other Links

Forget about taking that speed reading course: The human eye cannot process more than about 300 words per minute.

The human mind gauges someone’s attractiveness in 13 milliseconds. It happens before you realize you’ve seen the image.

Don’t bother to exercise: You can strengthen your muscles by merely imagining exercise.

Most popular diets do not lead to weight loss; however, unpopular ones do (i.e. diet and exercise).

Apr 18, 2012 | 4 comments | by Devon Herrick