The Psychology of Obesity and America’s Portion Problem The 21st century “obesity epidemic” has long been an issue conveyed in foreboding figures: The American Heart Association places the count of overweight and obese Americans at 23.9 million children and 154.2 million adults. A recent United Nations Food and Agricultural report ranks the U.S. behind only … Read more
Corey Ann had had enough. In a recent Huffington Post diatribe, the Ohio-based wedding photographer pointed out his experiences with wedding guests whose camera flashes disrupted his own professional photography. Such frustrations, presumably shared by many such photographers, led Ann to call for “unplugged weddings.” But these guest photographers’ over-eagerness bears evidence of a deeper … Read more
In the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the protagonist, R.P. McMurphy, enters a state asylum although his mind may be perfectly healthy. His first interaction with his supervising doctor reveals the complicated attitude the film takes towards mental illness: “Now they’re telling me I’m crazy over here ‘cause I don’t sit there … Read more
When Tom Menino completes his fifth and final term as mayor of Boston in January, he can rightfully take pride in the resurgence and promising future of Massachusetts’ City Upon a Hill. As the longest-serving mayor in Boston’s 383-year history, Menino has led Boston’s successful effort to reinvent itself during his 20-year tenure with passionate … Read more
The healthcare industry boasts some of the highest prices in the service sector. Technology, however, is an inexpensive method of cutting costs, and the healthcare marketplace has taken note. Today, the healthcare mobile apps market is a booming field populated by start-ups and late M.D.-to-entrepreneur converts, with more than 10,000 apps currently available through outlets … Read more
One of the more interesting, if underreported, elements of China’s recent rise is its development of a sophisticated domestic space program. While China’s history in space goes back to the 1970 launch of their first satellite Dong Fang Hong I (“The East is Red I”), the most politically significant phase of the program began in … Read more
If all the states were a giant family, Vermont would be the stereotypical Birkenstock-wearing, hippie cousin—just a little bit different and unafraid to reject the typical way of doing things. So perhaps it should not have been all that surprising when the Green Mountain State enacted a single-payer health care system, called “Green Mountain Care,” … Read more
Jimmy Kimmel isn’t considered a preeminent source on health policy and public opinion. But his television show’s trip to Hollywood Boulevard two months ago revealed more about the relationship the average American has with healthcare reform than our elected officials or the news media have ever managed to. Mr. Kimmel’s video crew took to the … Read more
Drug A and B are the same. They have the same ingredients, same pills, and the same purpose. But, one is a name brand and the other is a generic. So, the only difference between the two is the price. Every year, pharmaceutical companies pour billions of dollars into the research, development, and approval of … Read more