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.
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine said finding health insurance for the 1.4 million New Jerseyans who lack it ranks among the state's top problems, but he doesn't expect to solve it in 2008. He said the state--facing a projected $3 billion budget deficit for next year--cannot afford it.
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.
An Atlanta nurse led a one-woman crusade to change what she saw as the hospital's bogus billing to the federal program, risking her livelihood and career security. The hospital was regularly filing claims for inpatient services that should have been billed as outpatient or observation services, according to the whistleblower. The hospital netted millions of extra dollars by billing for the more expensive services. For her trouble, the former Atlanta hospital employee will receive $4.9 million, according to the settlement.