- Some 23 million households receive broadband subsidies, which is more than the number on food stamps.
- Latest Covid vaccine study: the vaccine has no benefits for children or for healthy adults. There are adverse risks. This is based on the largest study to date – covering 99 million people.
- Upcoding explained.
- Between 2014 and 2020, the death rates for Black children and teenagers rose by about 37 percent, and for Native American youths by about by about 22 percent — compared with less than 5 percent for white youths.
- Trustees Update: The Medicare trust fund will be exhausted in 2036, and the combined Social Security trust fund will become exhausted in 2035.
Is Weed killer Bad for You? It Depends…
There is an old saying that dates back to antiquity, “the dose makes the poison.” That is true of many things in life. Risk is relative. There are undoubtedly numerous substances that have negative effects on humans even in a small way or are benign unless ingested in significant amounts. Alcohol is one example. My coffee creamer that I use to make café lattes every morning is probably another substance that should only be consumed in moderation.
Monday Links
- Why can’t doctors have access to the truth about e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco?
- Should medical journals include “indigenous knowledge” alongside science?
- Thousands believe they were harmed by the Covid vaccine. (NYT)
- Does intermittent fasting increase the risk of a heart attack?
- Should medical debts affect your credit rating?
Drug to Reduce Overdose Deaths Likely Increased Drug Use and Crime
Nearly 110,000 people died in 2023 from a drug overdose, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is around 300 people per day. Opioid abuse and overdose deaths are growing problems in the United States. In recent years fentanyl has flooded the illicit drug market. Virtually all prescription opioids bought off the street are counterfeit with fentanyl as the active ingredient. Many illicit drugs, like cocaine and heroin, are also laced with fentanyl to boost the strength.