We have been enjoying a golden age. In the latter part of the 1990s and the first part of the 21st century, every indicator of economic health that should be up has been up: employment, income growth, stock market profitability. And everything that should be down has been down: inflation, interest rates, and unemployment. Inflation in the United States was contained by a fortuitous combination of a glut in global productive capacity, foreign competition, technological innovation, and the soaring dollar, which made imports cheaper. Everything that China exported went down in price (and everything that China imported went up in price). So we had more productivity here, more jobs, more growth, and pay rises without inflation.
Cholesterol-busting statins, which benefit an estimated 13 million Americans and 25 million people worldwide, protect against the ravages of heart disease caused by clogged coronary arteries. But they caused some palpitations last week, when the Journal of the American College of Cardiology released a report from Tufts University School of Medicine that the lower levels of cholesterol achieved by statin therapy are associated with an increased risk of cancer (1 extra cancer per 1,000 patients). The "C" word carries such a chill that the journal's own editors toyed with rejecting the report, fearing it would cause patients to dump their lifesaving pills. The better editorial angels prevailed, and the report is out, cushioned by cautionary commentary that the findings could be a statistical fluke. With medical practice shifting toward more intensive cholesterol-lowering treatment, based on numerous clinical studies that show a reduction in heart attacks and cardiovascular mortality, people are taking statins in droves--at higher doses and for life. So it is that much more important to sort out unexpected longer-term side effects.
An admittedly impressionistic barometer of Web hits, media mentions, E-mails, and phone calls suggests that the just issued "America's Best Hospitals" rankings have again struck a nerve with health consumers and doctors. Much of the attention is coming from potential patients who realize that the more you know, the better the prospect of good care should you need it. And plenty is coming from critics irate about what they think we should add or do differently.
AP - Tens of thousands of Iraqis from the Shiite south to the Kurdish-dominated north poured into the usually treacherous streets Sunday to celebrate a rare moment of joy and unity when the national team won Asia's most prestigious soccer tournament.
AP - Republicans increasingly are backing a new approach in the Iraq war that could become the party's mantra come September. It would mean narrowly limited missions for U.S. troops in Iraq but let President Bush decide when troops should leave.
Celebratory gunfire erupted across Baghdad on Sunday when Iraq's soccer team won the Asian Cup 1-0 against defending champion Saudi Arabia. Stray bullets killed four people and wounded 17 others in the capital, an official with the Iraqi interior Ministry said.
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