HEALTH DISPARITIES BLOG

October 09, 2008

links for 2008-10-09

• Experts Conclude Pfizer Manipulated Studies
  The drug maker Pfizer earlier this decade manipulated the publication of scientific studies to bolster the use of its epilepsy drug Neurontin for other disorders, while suppressing research that did not support those uses, according to experts who reviewed thousands of company documents for plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the company.
• Grant to fund dental disparities research
  Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine has received a $14.5 million grant to fund the Center for Research to Evaluate and Eliminate Dental Disparities until 2015.
• Sobering facts on health and a troubled health care system
  In 1960, the U.S. ranked 11th in the world in infant mortality rate. In 2004, it was 29th. Further, in 1960 white Americans on their own would have ranked 11th in the world in that category, while African Americans would have been 30th. In 2004, white Americans would have ranked 26th, while African Americans had fallen to 35th.
• Men face roadblock in opting out of Medicare
  Three men who say they have adequate health coverage and enough money to pay for their health care needs want to opt out of hospital coverage under Medicare. Federal rules say they cannot collect Social Security benefits if they do that.