Dr. Roundy - The Spinal Column

January 2004 Issue, Part II

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Children Often the Victim of "Tylenol" Overdose
Most people think that if a drug is sold over the counter without a prescription, it’s safe. Yet, every year, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) receives reports of infants and children receiving accidental overdoses of acetaminophen (Tylenol). In fact, an average of 27,000 accidental childhood acetaminophen overdoses have been reported annually over the last few years, the ISMP states.

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Chiropractic for Seniors
As part of legislation overhauling the 38-year old Medicare program - passed by the House of Representatives on November 22nd and the Senate on November 24th - President Bush has authorized four two-year pilot projects designed to test expanded access to chiropractic services for America's seniors. We commend President Bush as well as all supporters of chiropractic. Chiropractic care is essential and should be made available to all.

NEWS IN BRIEF

In one year, health care spending in the U.S. increased 9.3% in 2002, totaling $1.6 trillion, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which analyzes spending in the public and private health care sectors. Drug spending remained the fastest-growing item, a trend that is expected to continue in the next decade. Hospital spending also increased. Consumers also experienced a significant increase in out-of-pocket spending because of increased co-payments and deductibles. "As consumers share more of the increases in cost, the value of health services will be more closely weighed against other purchases, underscoring the considerable value of some services and the discretionary nature of others," wrote CMS authors. The report is published in the January/February 2004 issue of Health Affairs. Associated Press. January 8, 2004.

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According to a study from the Rand Corporation, published in Health Affairs, disability rates in the U.S. have risen dramatically in the last 20 years-and the increases are in the younger, not the elderly. In those aged 30- to 39-years-old, 182 per 10,000 people reported disabilities in 1996, compared to 118 per 10K in 1984. During that same time period, the number rose from 212 per 10K in 1984 to 278 per 10K in 1996 for those aged 40 to 49.

There were smaller but still significant increases for those aged 18 to 29 and those 50 to 59. Disability declined by over 10% in those that are 60 to 69. The leading causes of disability are mental illnesses and musculoskeletal problems. During the study, disabilities from musculoskeletal problems and diabetes rose faster than other problems. It is theorized that these problems are linked to America's increasing rate of obesity, though obesity is not the only culprit. Associated Press. January 8, 2004

With the Super Bowl on Sunday, here are a few quotes
that I thought you might like:-)

"Football incorporates the two worst elements of American society: violence punctuated by committee meetings."
George Will

"Nobody in football should be called a genius.
A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
Joe Theismann