Insights

<p>Dramatic progress in lowering sepsis rates in California hospitals, the latest on smoking bans, and medical marijuana news, plus more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>In today's hyper-evolving social media world, it might seem quaint, if not downright foolish, to believe that old school journalism's low-tech and low-cost approaches — a pen, a pad, and shoe-leather investigation — could result in an article that ignites a global furor.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>How one reporter covered community health issues facing two neighborhoods facing each other across a toxic river in the middle of the Superfund site.</p>

<p>Why do Mexican-American schoolchildren in California have seven times more flame retardant in their systems than their peers in Mexico? Answers and more in our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Homeless people who are discharged from acute care hospital to a step-down care center, or medical respite bed, are less likely to be readmitted in 90-days, according to an October, 2009 study in <em>The Journal of Prevention and Intervention in The Communit</em>y.</p>

<p>The charade perpetrated by William Hamman, the United Airlines pilot who had a second, lucrative <a href="../../../../../../../../blogs/william-hamman-wisconsins-flying-fake-cardiologist-sailed-past-many-who-easily-could-have-caug">career as a fake cardiologist</a>, is starting to have consequences.</p>

<p>In Los Angeles, five communities were awarded money to encourage healthier lifestyles that include bicycling and walking. Have these grants improved public health? Damien Newton will investigate.</p>

<p>Redefining Alzheimer's disease could dramatically change the way this disease of aging is diagnosed, treated. Plus more from our Daily Briefing.</p>

<p>Every ER has patients like "Sam." The staff call them "frequent fliers" because they patch them up and discharge them, only to watch them return an hour or a day or a week later with another problem. &nbsp;How much should the health care system spend to help someone who won't help himself?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Consumer genetic tests for kids, problem drinkers and hospital infections, staph bacteria in meat and budget problems ahead for community clinics: all in today's Daily Briefing.</p>