I'm Dr. Simeon Margolis, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Together, let’s explore the issues behind the headlines to help you navigate the health care maze. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:48:03 -0800 Yahoo! http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17672/lung-cancer-kills-non-smokers-too/ About nine percent of the lung cancers in men and 19 percent in women occur in people who have never smoked -- defined as less than 100 cigarettes over a lifetime. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:21:13 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17654/hepatitis-c-should-you-be-tested/ For at-risk people, the answer is yes, and soon! The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of liver failure, liver cancer, and liver transplantation in the U.S. Estimates are that HVC kills more than 10,000 Americans each year. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:21:46 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17646/do-we-need-another-statin/ Isn't adding another statin to the existing lineup just more of the same--an attempt by the drug companies to continue reaping huge profits? Well, yes and no. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:01:46 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17612/should-everyone-get-the-h1n1-flu-shot/ We've all heard that this year's flu season could be more deadly due to the H1N1 virus. In fact, the CDC confirms that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are already high and rising across the U.S. Still, many healthy adults wonder if getting a flu shot is necessary. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:36:52 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17606/end-of-life-counseling-is-not-euthanasia/ To offset the shrill cries of those opposing the health-care-reform bill's end-of-life counseling provisions, I would like to insert a calmer word: End-of-life counseling is not aimed at euthanizing grandma or, in my case, grandpa. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:30:34 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17555/when-drug-companies-go-too-far/ Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer crossed the line recently when the company paid doctors to attend lavish meetings that promoted FDA-approved drugs for uses and in doses not approved by the FDA. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:07:19 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17519/deadly-snoring/ Results of a large U.S. study published this year found that men with severe OSA were 2 times more likely to die from all causes, than were men without OSA, and 50 percent more likely than men with moderate OSA. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:59:30 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17513/reduce-your-exposure-to-toxic-chemicals/ Here are some things you can do to reduce your family's and your own personal exposure to chemical toxins. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:35:54 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17502/congressional-health-care-bills-pros-and-cons/ I'm delighted that President Obama has said he will not sign a health care bill unless it includes an emphasis on efforts to prevent disease as a way of cutting the future costs of health care. But where would all the money come from to pay for such preventive services? Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:40:09 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17496/scorecard-for-the-war-on-drugs/ I claim no expertise on how to deal with the United States' huge appetite for illicit drugs, but I do know a losing proposition when I see one: It is clear that our present punitive policies concerning illegal drugs are not working. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:38:05 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.