A gene mutation strongly identified with Jewish breast cancer patients has also turned up in a small but significant percentage of Hispanic patients. In their study of more than 3,000 women with the disease, scientists also found a surprisingly high prevalence among young black women with breast cancer. The finding has led some oncologists to suggest genetic screening for patients of different ethnic groups, because carriers have a greater chance of recurrence and can pass that risk to their daughters.
Throughout South Florida, medicine was becoming a battle of conglomerates. The University of Miami bought the 560-bed Cedars Hospital, and raided top U.S. medical schools for talent to build a biotech research empire. Florida International University moved toward opening a medical school. Scripps Research Institute came closer to opening in Palm Beach County. Not everyone benefited from the medical advances. At least 47 million Americans had no health insurance, an increase of 2.2 million for the year--mostly from erosion of employer-paid insurance policies, according to U.S. Census data. In Florida, 3.6 million people, or 20.3 percent of the population, were uninsured, ranking the state behind only Texas and New Mexico.
As the presidential primaries approach, here are three lessons for voters trying to evaluate the candidates' healthcare proposals: Don't pay too much attention to differences among each party's candidates, look for profound differences between Democratic and Republican approaches to health reform, and don't get too attached to any one proposal. The nominees' plans will certainly change heading into the final election--and then again after the inauguration.
Here's a look back at the top health stories of 2007. Persistent questions about the safety of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, a menacing microbe spreading throughout the U.S. and a globe-trotting TB patient garnered headlines this past year.
The Japanese Prime Minister said his ruling bloc will submit legislation to provide aid to about 1,000 people exposed to hepatitis C through defective blood-clotting products sold by pharmaceutical companies. About 200 patients have filed lawsuits across Japan, demanding compensation from the government and drug makers Nihon Pharmaceutical Co., Mitsubishi Pharma Corp. and the latter's subsidiary Benesis Corp. Japanese media say about 800 others are expected to file suit.
Mid-South Cardiology, a Lebanon-based practice of two cardiologists, is now part of Saint Thomas Heart in the latest affiliation of an independent cardiology practice with a major Nashville area hospital. The two cardiologists have become employees of Saint Thomas Heart, which has assumed assets and liabilities of Mid-South and will run its operations.