Reading Room
The reading room includes articles and videos of potential interest to consumers and medical professionals. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the NC Medical Board, its members, and staff. Note: Some links may require registration or subscription.
The number of food recalls has been rising. Here’s what you need to know
NPR
December 9, 2024
It’s been a year of high-profile food recalls. A deadly listeria outbreak led to a massive recall of Boar’s Head deli meat. Contaminated onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders and organic carrots were linked to E. coli outbreaks. And in late November, federal authorities launched an investigation into cucumbers contaminated with salmonella.
There’s an effective treatment for menopause symptoms. Why do so few women use it?
STATNews
December 3, 2024
At the annual meeting of the Menopause Society earlier this fall, researchers presented new evidence that hormone therapy can be beneficial to menopausal women’s heart health, reducing insulin resistance and other cardiovascular biomarkers. It was the latest in a long line of research showing the benefits of hormone therapy for women in menopause. But despite this evidence, hormone therapy’s use has plummeted over the past few decades. In 1999, almost 27% of menopausal women in the U.S. used estrogen. By 2020, less than 5% did.