MATURE MARKET HEADLINES POSTED 11/10/97
Operational Definitions of Medical Malpractice
More than 100 million Americans have been directly affected by a medical mistake or error, according to a nationwide poll conducted by Louis Harris & Associates, and reported in the October 1997 issue of the "NCL Bulletin".
Medical mistakes were operationally (no pun intended) defined as misdiagnoses and wrong treatment. These accounted for 40% of the medical mistakes. Hmmm. That's interesting. Are doctor treatments based on what the patients need, or what insurance plans are willing to pay for?
Medication errors accounted for 28% of mistakes, and mistakes during a medical procedure accounted for 22%. Patients say these errors were due to carelessness, staff negligence, improper training, and poor communication. Over-worked, stress-out, greedy healthcare providers in managed care settings were cited as the culprit.
In fact, you're twice as likely to be victimized in a hospital (48%), than in a doctor's office (22%). What should be done to correct the situation? Victims say: train the providers, education the patient, and yes, when necessary, sue the transgressors. Sources: National Consumers League, American Medical Association, American Association of Retired Persons, and Research America.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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The Wall Becomes Monument to Boomers
Fifteen years ago this month, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. "Now, as many Vietnam veterans reach age 50, it is time to look at the contributions they have made to our society since returning from Vietnam" says Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).
For example, U.S. Senator Charles Hagel and James Kimsey (founder of American Online) are both Vietnam combat veterans. The VVMF plans to use the annual Veterans Day ceremony at "the Wall" on November 11, 1997 to begin the education and information program on the roots and results of America's involvement in Vietnam.
Examples include the incorporation of Vietnam issues into curriculum materials for nationwide distribution to high schools. This effort will draw Vietnam vets into the public spotlight and highlight their accomplishments in business, family, and government. Opportunities for "Virtual Reunions" will be provided via the VVMF's internet website at vvmf.org
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Husband Says Home Chores Lead to Sex
Whistle while you work ... at home, that is? Then maybe you're one of those husbands who says that the more household chores he does, the more likely his wife is to report having good sex. New Choices magazine commissioned a national study of 1,000 men and women, age 50 to 65, and discovered some very interesting facts about the home-front. Here's what the survey found.
- Affair of the Heart:
The majority of both men and women, age 50-plus said they would
not consider having an affair.
- Battle of the Sexes:
When asked who they thought was winning the "battle of the sexes"
today, men were more likely to say that women are the victors (36%),
but only 26% of women felt victorious.
- Bedroom Games:
Men are still the initiators of sexual activity (63%).
- Money Matters:
The number of husbands who believe they control the family finances
dropped from 45% when first married to 35% today.
- Best Friends:
Most couples enjoy spending time together. Most considered their spouses
their best friends when they were first married. The majority of men (60%) and
women (57%) said they had grown closer to their spouses over the years.
Source: New Choices magazine.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Study Says Sex is rated "R" for "Retirement"
Boomer Couples Cling to Role Stereotypes
Elder Sexuality Keeps Going and Going and Going
AARP Survey Dispels Age-related Sex Myths
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Sounds Like Reefer Madness Revisited?
Feed a rat 1,000 cans of diet soda per day throughout its life and that rat will die of cancer caused by the saccharin in the soda. So says the animal research data. Regulatory decisions based on that kind of research, says the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), is misleading. (I think they'd rather say "wacky" but scientists don't talk like that.)
Further, the ACSH believes that branding a substance as a human carcinogen solely based on cancer that has occurred in laboratory animals force-fed substances in outrageously high doses makes no sense. "One positive animal test is not sufficient to identify true human health risks or lead to appropriate exposure guidelines" says Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, ACSH President.
The viability of thousands of products and the expenditure of billions of dollars in environmental cleanup and pollution abatement, insurance premiums, product modifications, and legal fees are based on regulatory decisions founded on faulty animal research.
To make matter worse, the ACSH believes that the rejection of acceptable products may lead to greater risks as we avoid those products and create new ones that may, indeed, cause equal or greater risk to human health. Hmmm. The beat goes on.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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