By now, our regular readers know that here at EBL, we value systematic reviews above other forms of evidence. That’s because these reviews collect all of the available evidence on a given topic to provide a summary of what we know and an assessment of the data quality. In short, they’re the best way to find a definitive answer about what does and doesn’t work.
An evidence-based birthday
August 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Evidence check: New medical treatments often lacking
August 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It’s human nature to assume that new often means better. But in the case of medical treatments, that’s not always the case. In a new systematic review published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers reviewed 10 years of previous issues of the New England Journal of Medicine to identify the benefits of various medical practices which were described.
The evidence on music therapy
July 29, 2013 By 5 Comments
We’ve all heard the idiom, “Music is good for the soul.” But, according to the evidence, it’s good for your health as well.
A new method to avoid mosquitoes
July 23, 2013 By 2 Comments
It’s the time of year when you are likely to have uninvited guests to your backyard gatherings and picnics at the park: mosquitoes.
Is obesity really a disease?
July 18, 2013 By 2 Comments
Last month, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease in its own right for the first time. (Previously, it had been categorized as a symptom or risk factor.) There is plenty of evidence that shows people who are obese are more likely to develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But does that make obesity a disease in its own right? What about being overweight, but not obese?
Gaps in evidence: Gun violence in America
July 15, 2013 By 5 Comments
News stories about the problem of gun violence in America have dominated media outlets across the country over the past year. The tragic school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut continues to fuel an on-going debate about the laws surrounding violence and safety in our society. It’s a sensitive subject, and many people across the nation hold opposing viewpoints about what should be done. But one thing is clear: gun violence is a critical public health problem.
More evidence on why you should get a flu shot
July 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Yes, summer is in full swing. But the next flu season is just a few months away. We’ve written before about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine. Now a new analysis from the U.S. Center for Disease Control has calculated the approximate number of hospitalizations which have been avoided thanks to the flu vaccine from 2005 to 2011.
Proven methods to quit smoking
July 2, 2013 By 3 Comments
One in five deaths in the U.S. can be credited to tobacco, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control – a statistic that makes it clear: Smoking is a huge health problem. [Read more…]
Update: New evidence on Parkinson’s disease
June 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 500,000 Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and about 50,000 new cases are reported each year. The disease is a progressive neurological disorder that is caused by the degeneration of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement. Tremors are the most common symptom, but others include rigid limbs and slow movement. [Read more…]
How to identify emotional abuse and neglect in preschoolers
June 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The evidence is clear that developing skills early-on – especially before children enter kindergarten – is essential for success later in life. Unfortunately, children face consequences throughout their lives when they do not get the support they need as babies and preschoolers. Physical and behavioral problems and delays in social and communication skills are just some of the poor outcomes. [Read more…]
The evidence on hands-free cell phone devices while driving
June 17, 2013 By 11 Comments
Whether it’s a quick call to ask what’s needed from the grocery store or catching up with a long-distance friend – people everywhere talk on cell phones while they’re driving. [Read more…]
An update on barefoot running
June 12, 2013 By 2 Comments
Here on EBL, we’ve written before about the trend of barefoot running and minimalist running shoes. Last week, the American College of Sports Medicine held its annual conference. There, researchers presented five separate studies on the benefits of running barefoot or with minimal footwear. [Read more…]
