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However, Dr John Gofman, who has been studying the effects inappropriate admissions, indicating a consistent pattern from of radiation on human health for 45 years, is prepared to tell us 1986 to 1999,” showing steady reporting of approximately 24% exactly what diagnostic X-rays are doing to our health. Dr inappropriate admissions each year. Putting these figures into Gofman has a PhD in nuclear and physical chemistry and is a present-day terms using the HCUP database, the total number of medical doctor. He worked on the Manhattan nuclear project, dis- patient discharges from hospitals in the US in 2001 was covered uranium-233, was the first person to isolate plutonium, 37,187,641.'> The above data indicate that 24% of those and since 1960 he's been studying the effects of radiation on hospitalisations need never have occurred. It further means that human health. With five scientifically documented books 8,925,033 people were exposed to unnecessary medical totalling over 2,800 pages, Dr Gofman provides strong evidence intervention in hospitals, therefore representing almost nine that medical technology—specifically X-rays, CT scans, mam- million potential iatrogenic episodes.* mography and fluoroscopy—is a contributing factor in 75% of Continued next issue ... new cancers. His 699-page report, "Radiation from Medical Procedures in the Pathogenesis of Cancer and Ischemic Heart Disease: Dose-Response Studies with Physicians per 100,000 Population" (updated in 2000),” shows that as the number of physicians increases in a geographical area, with an increase in the number of X-ray diagnostic tests there is an associated tty-/www.nexusmagazine.com. Readers without Internet increase in the rate of cancer and ischemic heart disease. Dr access can request a copy of the endnotes from their nearest Gofman elaborates that it's not X-rays alone that cause the dam- NEXUS Office Editor's Note: Due to space constraints, we are unable to publish the end- notes accompanying this article (apart from including some brief details within the text in square brackets); instead, we have posted them with the article on our website, age, but a combination of health risk factors including poor diet, This article is copyright ©2003-2004 Nutrition Institute of smoking, abortion and the use of birth control pills. Dr Gofman America, Inc. (NIA), all rights reserved, and is reprinted by kind predicts that 100 million premature permission. No further duplication deaths over the next decade will be or distribution of this article is per- the result er ionising radiation. mitted without the express written n his book, Preventing Breast . rmission of NIA. For further infor- Cancer, Dr Gofman says that breast Dr Gofman predicts that mation regarding NIA, and for the cancer is the leading cause of death 100 million premature deaths full text of the article, visit the web- among American women between the . site http://www.nutritioninstitute ages of forty-four and fifty-five. over the next decade will be ofamerica.org. For more articles Because breast tissue is highly innicl relating to alternative health and radiation sensitive, mammograms can the result of fonising nutrition, visit the library at Gary cause cancer. The danger can be radiation [X-rays]. Null's Natural Living website, heightened by a woman's genetic http://www.garynull.com. makeup, pre-existing benign breast About the Authors: disease, artificial menopause, obesity = Carolyn Dean, MD. ND, since 1979 and hormonal imbalance.” . — has worked as a medical doctor, Even X-rays for back pain can lead someone into crippling naturopath, acupuncturist, herbalist, homoeopath, consultant, surgery. Dr Sarno, a well-known New York orthopaedic surgeon, inventor, herbal formulator, researcher, activist, advocate and found that X-rays don't always tell the truth. In his books he cites writer. She has written several books, hundreds of articles, studies on normal people without a trace of back pain who have —_ appeared on countless radio and television programs, including spinal abnormalities on X-ray. Other studies have shown that ABC's The View, promoting natural healing and the individual's some people with back pain have normal spines on X-ray. So, Dr right to take responsibility for their own health. She serves as health Sarno says there is not necessarily any association between back adviser and writer for websites www.yeastconnection.com, pain and spinal X-ray abnormality.°? However, if a person | WWW.Curesnaturally.com and www.friendsoffreedom.com. She happens to have back pain and an incidental abnormality on X- lives in New York City and can be contacted via her website, : | wares . nn Le : http:/www.carolyndean.com. She is the main author of this article. ray, they may be treated surgically, sometimes with no change in Panee crepe : aren > Martin Feldman, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and back pain or worsening of back pain or even permanent disability. _agsistant Professor of Neurology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in In addition, doctors often order X-rays as protection against —_ New York City. He is the author of 63 peer-reviewed journal arti- malpractice claims to give the impression that they are leaving no _ leg and is at the forefront of understanding modern advances in stone unturned. It appears that doctors are putting their own fears medical science. before the interests of their patients. + Gary Null has a PhD in human nutrition and is the host of the longest-running syndicated radio show on health and nutrition in UNNECESSARY HOSPITALISATIONS the USA. He has published over 71 books, including the New Summary: York Times best-sellers Get Health Now! and Power Aging. He is In 2004, 8.9 million (8,925,033) people were hospitalised also the producer of numerous award-winning documentaries about health and lifestyle. He is the founder of the Natural Living , . os - enitalieatione _ Running Club, and has competed as a world-class athlete. In 1975 In a 1986 study of inappropriate hospitalisations, 1,132 medical 8 founded the not-for-profit corporation, Nutrition Institute of records were reviewed by two doctors. Their finding was that America, Inc. Dr Null can be contacted via his website, 23% of all admissions were inappropriate and an additional 17% http://www.garynull.com. could have been handled in ambulatory out-patient clinics. Also, + Debora Rasio, MD, is a physician practising alternative medi- 34% of all hospital days were inappropriate and could have been cine in Rome, Italy. She is also an oncologist who has written avoided.” The rate of inappropriate admissions in 1990 was extensively on cancer. Dr Rasio provided some of the initial 23.5%." In 1999, another study confirmed the figure of 24% research for this paper. unnecessarily.’ inappropriate admissions, indicating a consistent pattern from 1986 to 1999,** showing steady reporting of approximately 24% inappropriate admissions each year. Putting these figures into present-day terms using the HCUP database, the total number of patient discharges from hospitals in the US in 2001 was 37,187,641.'> The above data indicate that 24% of those hospitalisations need never have occurred. It further means that 8,925,033 people were exposed to unnecessary medical intervention in hospitals, therefore representing almost nine million potential iatrogenic episodes.* Cantinuad nave icon 100 million premature deaths over the next decade will be the result of ionising radiation [X-rays]. UNNECESSARY HOSPITALISATIONS Summary: In 2004, 8.9 million (8,925,033) people were hospitalised unnecessarily.’ In a 1986 study of inappropriate hospitalisations, 1,132 medical records were reviewed by two doctors. Their finding was that 23% of all admissions were inappropriate and an additional 17% could have been handled in ambulatory out-patient clinics. Also, 34% of all hospital days were inappropriate and could have been avoided.” The rate of inappropriate admissions in 1990 was 23.5%." In 1999, another study confirmed the figure of 24% 36 = NEXUS Continued next issue ... Dr Gofman predicts that www.nexusmagazine.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2004