Low levels of vitamin C have long been associated with brittle bones but, according to a new study, large doses of the vitamin may actively stimulate bone formation and protect against osteoporosis and bone loss. Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine tested bone mineral density among two groups of mice, one of which was given large doses of vitamin C over eight weeks. The results showed that the mice who received vitamin C had a higher bone mineral density when compared to the group who received no vitamin C. Mone Zaidi, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Bone Program, said the study has profound public health implications and, with further research, may discover that dietary supplements may help prevent osteoporosis in humans. More here and here.
A new study from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine aimed at measuring the amount of money Medicare beneficiaries spend on healthcare in the last five years of their life discovered a stunning amount of out-of-pocket expenses. The research analyzed data from 3,209 individuals and found that, though Medicare provides nearly universal coverage, a quarter of participants paid an average of $101,791 on healthcare costs and the average for all participants was $38,688 in the final five years of life. More than 75 percent of people in the study spent at least $10,000. The amount of money spent on healthcare costs varied based on the type of illness, with dementia costing more than twice the average amount paid by someone dying with cancer. More here.
After reviewing medical literature produced between 1978 and 2009, researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York concluded that there is a lack of evidence on overuse of medical services, with the exception of a few areas of limited study. Overuse, defined as services performed that have no benefit or do more harm than good, account for an estimated 30 percent of U.S. healthcare spending. But despite the staggering amount of waste produced by unnecessary medical treatment, diagnostic tests, medication, and therapeutic procedures, there is very little collected data on the issue and the majority of available studies concentrated on the overuse of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections and three cardiovascular procedures. The authors said that understanding the prevalence of overuse in healthcare services is necessary in order to improve quality and eliminate waste. More here and here.
