Sicko and Our Problem with Disorganization

Could the state of our closets teach us something about health care? By now you have probably seen Michael Moore’s film "Sicko" — either that or you made the conscious decision not to see it. Moore’s film polarized a lot of people, but I think it raises many questions worth thinking about. Not the least […]

Express Yourself!

“Open Forum” is a place for diverse discussionsHealth Commentary features a variety of channels devoted to special health topics — from aging and caregiving to diet and nutrition. But we know that sometimes the topic you want to discuss doesn’t fit neatly into one of those categories. That’s why we created Open Forum — where […]

Equitable treatment for mental illness?

“Mental health parity” is a key issue for those seeking helpFormer First Lady Rosalynn Carter recently discussed the lack of adequate, equitable care for those with mental illness in the United States. In a society that places a great emphasis on equality, those with mental illness often find themselves discriminated against — often because health […]

Who pays the health bill?

What it’s really like to be uninsured in AmericaIf you are like most Americans, you have some form of health insurance. But more than 45 million Americans have no health coverage whatsoever. If you have ever wondered how one might cope without coverage, watch this video by an uninsured American, who was inspired by the movie […]

Taking the G8 to Task

AIDS leader Stephen Lewis calls for bold action to fight the pandemicStephen Lewis, United Nations AIDS Envoy to Africa, gave a stirring speech at the International Conference on AIDS in Toronto in 2006. Lewis believes that the world’s most powerful nations and organizations have largely turned their backs on the AIDS crisis. He also believes that gender […]

Turning to Gastric Bypass

A glimpse of one man’s struggle with obesityThe National Geographic Channel recently examined the life and motivations of a 28-year-old grappling with obesity and the possibility of a significantly shortened lifespan. His solution was gastric bypass surgery — a procedure that is more and more common. What’s your opinion about the growing obesity problem in […]

What’s the real face of aging?

The media shapes our perceptions of what it means to ageIn this video, Joaquin Anguera, Ph.D, professor in the Gerontology Department at California State University, San Diego, reviews images of aging and discusses the problem of ageism in our society. Is the emphasis on youth in the U.S. creating a problem for our aging populations? […]

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