Insights

<p>A doctors' gag order over fracking chemicals, good news on obesity prevention, and a rapping global health expert turned World Bank leader, plus more from our Top 5 Today.</p>

<p>Learn more about what killed Elizabeth Taylor and the first anniversary of health reform in today's Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Even if you were in Austin for South by Southwest last week, the sheer volume of information and number of people make it difficult to know what the ultimate take-aways were. How can you sum up the best tips and critical thinking from some 40 panels and meet-ups and events related to health this

<p>As health reform turns one year old today, we offer some perspective, reporting resources and story ideas for reporting on reform's second year and beyond.</p>

<p>The U.S. EPA has opened a public comment period on methyl iodide, a highly toxic fumigant used in soil preparation before the planting of strawberries, carrots, and other vegetable crops. There are many points of view on this issue worth exploring. Here are just a few.</p>

<p>The nuclear crisis still playing out in Japan may be happening thousands of miles away, but there are numerous relevant stories that health reporters can unearth in the United States that go beyond breaking news.</p>

<p>A new study suggests that the risks of Lap-Band surgery could outweigh the weight-loss benefits, plus more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-07-09-00110.pdf">new report</a> about the criminal histories of nursing home workers from the Office of Inspector General for Department of Health and Human Services has prompted many bold statements. What has been missing from all the alarmist analyses of this report are a few key facts and a sense of perspective.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the coffee-growing highlands of Ethiopia, an Italian scientist on a plant collecting expedition discovers a local medicine man dispensing an apparent cure for AIDS.&nbsp;Fact or fiction?</p>

<p>Many media and health advocacy groups take for granted these days that Twitter and Facebook are essential to reach readers and constituents. But a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive shed new light on how we use those social media tools. Aimee Roundtree, an associate communications pro