What do you think about prescription drug misuse becoming more common? Do you have experience with this, either yourself or someone you know? The misuse of prescription drugs ("misuse" means using a drug for a reason other than what it was prescribed for and/or a person using the drug that was prescribed to someone other than themselves) is on the rise, and are being used as study aids, cognitive-enhancers (to boost concentration, focus, attention). What do you think about the dangers, side effects or other negative consequences?

Happy Spring Time! Tips to Receiving a Healthy Pedicure With two self-employed adults in my household, we don’t usually “indulge” in spa treatments on a regular basis, but I do make sure to save some time and money for my annual springtime pedicure! Here are some helpful tips on what to look for in your next spa treatment, to make sure your next pedicure is a healthy one:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said in an interview on Wednesday that if elected president she would push for a universal health care plan that would limit what Americans pay for health insurance to no more than 10 percent of their income, a significant reduction for some families.

In an extensive interview on health policy, Mrs. Clinton said she would like to cap health insurance premiums at 5 percent to 10 percent of income.

Read more here and share your thoughts.

Do you take multivitamins? If so, why? Are they beneficial, or a waste of money? I thought this would be a good discussion, as it is something taken for granted, and is not seen as "something else we're putting in our body, whether we need them or not", as other substances are (healthy or not). Please note: I am not referring to anyone who has been given a recommendation by a health care provider to take a vitamin supplement, such as pregnant women who are recommended to take folic acid.

Recent discussions by prescription-users suggests that generic prescription drugs *may not* be as effective as the brand name drugs prescribed by your doctor. Most of the time, the switch from brand name to generic is welcomed (especially to our wallets!), but is it at the expense of the drugs working appropriately? The FDA has not shown differences between the brand name drug, and those generic drugs they have approved as appropriate substitutes. The FDA approves the generic drug as "bioequivalent" to the brand name drug, in order for a substitution of the particular drug to occur.

I just received the results of my recent blood tests and my cholesterol levels are higher than this time 3 years ago! My doctor was really surprised, considering the level of activity and fairly "clean" eating regimen I maintain (as I spend much of each year in training for one event or another). I eat organic, whole foods; consume mostly good fats (I admit a preference for real butter) and follow a plan that you'd probably find incredibly boring.

Hospitals are now apparently checking into a patient's credit score to gauge their ability to pay.

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/03/18/t...

"Hospitals say it allows them to figure out more quickly which patients qualify for financial assistance programs, and makes them less likely to hound people who can’t or won’t pay. Some consumer advocates warn that the process could lead hospitals to deny elective procedures to patients unlikely to pay."

Do you think checking a patient's financial history is a good idea?

Nineteen deaths have been linked to contaminated heparin, a crucial blood thinner manufactured in China. Again the drug agency became aware of the problem only after hundreds were sickened. Again Congress is investigating.

The F.D.A. admitted that it violated its own policies by failing to inspect the China plant, and on Friday it said it had alerted border agents to detain suspect heparin shipments.

Do you think the FDA needs to tighten its standards for overseas drug production or do you think that's the work of another national or international governmental body?

Who do you think can best remake the healthcare system? Republicans? Democrats? Another Party? Private Industry?

Thanks to Susan for the inspiration.

Here's an article from the New York Times that says the benefits of stretching are iffy. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/health...
This killed me because I dedicate one solid hour a week to stretching and I feel like a million bucks when I'm done . But I know some people argue that stretching overrated. Do you stretch before or after a workout? And if you don't stretch, what are the benefits of skipping the stretch?