For Problem Drinkers, More Hospital Infections

Safety Net Care: Last week's federal budget compromise slashes long-promised money for community health clinics, which hoped to expand to serve newly insured people under federal health reform legislation, Daniel Weintraub writes for HealthyCal.org.

Alcoholism: Problem drinkers are surprisingly more likely to develop infections while hospitalized than patients who don't abuse alcohol, researchers have found in a new study. And once infected, they're more likely to stay in the hospital longer or die than similarly infected non-problem drinkers, Robert Preidt reports for HealthDay.  

Genomic Medicine: Despite concerns over the accuracy and usefulness of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, some parents want their kids tested anyway to see if they're at risk for heart disease or certain types of cancer among other conditions, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics. Katherine Hobson reports for The Wall St. Journal.

End of Life Care: Are there times when we really should "pull the plug" on Grandma? One doctor-law professor makes a troubling and thought-provoking case for health care rationing in the Los Angeles Times.

Food Safety: A new study shows that some meat and chicken available to consumers is contaminated with a drug-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause staph infections. Deborah Kotz of the Boston Globe puts the study in context, noting the study's small sample size and pointing out other contaminants commonly found in meat, such as salmonella and E. coli. Yummy.

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