Diagnostic errors are an understandable patient concern in any clinical setting. But just how often do they actually occur, particularly in emergency rooms? That is what the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) set out to determine, conducting a systematic review of nearly 300 studies published between January 2000 and September 2021. On December 15, 2022, AHRQ published a report of its findings—some of which are exceptionally alarming. Diagnostic errors in the ER: a look at the numbers From the 19,127 citations and 279 studies assessed ..read more

A Missouri woman has sued L’Oreal, along with several other beauty companies, alleging that she developed uterine cancer as a result of using their hair straightening products. Per the lawsuit, her cancer was “directly and proximately caused by her regular and prolonged exposure to phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in defendants’ hair care products.” The plaintiff, Jennifer Mitchell, has used L’Oreal’s products since she was about ten years old. In 2018, at the age of 28, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Now, she is asking the court to order L’Oreal to pay for dam ..read more

About 22,000 e-bikes sold by retailers including Amazon, Sears, and Walmart have been recalled due to fire, explosion, and burn hazards. Manufacturer Ancheer, which issued the recall voluntarily, has received six reports of fire, explosions, or sparks, four of which detailed burn injuries. According to a notice posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, owners and consumers of recalled e-bikes should cease usage until being equipped with a free replacement battery and battery mount. If you’re the owner of an e-bike or other micromobility product such as an e-scooter or hoverboard ..read more

Along with the COVID-19 pandemic’s stay-at-home orders and a worldwide pause on travel plans, 2020 marked the onset of another phenomenon: a boom in bicycle riding. Bicycles gave people a sense of exploration and adventure during this difficult time. This rise in cyclists comes with some sobering statistics, including a 16% rise in preventable deaths and a 5% increase in non-fatal injuries. Of the 1,260 bicyclist deaths reported in 2020, 806 of those directly involved motor vehicles. These injuries come at a significant expense: the over 13,000 bicycle injuries each year cost more than $23 bil ..read more

In 2020, preventable fatalities from bicycle accidents increased by 16%, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). The NSC also noted that over the last decade, there was a total increase of 44% in preventable bicycle-related deaths. These figures highlight the ongoing safety crisis for cyclists on American roadways. Bicycle-related deaths and injuries: the statistics According to the CDC, bicyclists account for 2% of all motor vehicle crashes. Approximately 1,000 people die each year from these accidents, and 130,000 become injured. These numbers will continue to increase unless widesp ..read more

In the United States, over 130,000 people are injured in bicycle crashes every year, according to the CDC. The costs of the injuries and deaths from these crashes typically exceed a staggering $23 billion yearly. An easy and effective way to reduce the number of people injured in bicycle crashes is to make sure that every cyclist wears a helmet. Why Wearing a Bike Helmet Matters A meta-analysis published in 2018 found that wearing a helmet at the time of a bike accident has the following positive impacts: Reduced head injury by 48% Reduced severe head injury by 60% Reduced traumatic brain inj ..read more

With the wind on your face, cruising at a speed that feels like flying, few things feel better than riding a bike down your neighborhood street. Bicycling often gives riders a sense of free-wheeling freedom, but it’s easy to forget that the risks are real. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of preventable deaths from bicycle transportation incidents increased by 44%. And of the 1,260 bicyclist deaths in 2020, 806 died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, compared to 454 in other non-traffic incidents. These rates typically peak during the summer. The good news is that careful riding and an awarene ..read more

There are few more memorable achievements for a child growing up than when they first learn to ride a bike. It’s a great moment. And while as a parent you can be proud of them, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. Especially if you look at injury statistics about children and bicycles. But the good news is that helmets make a big difference—research shows that helmets could have prevented 85% of all bicycle-related mortality. Helmets Prevent Pediatric Head Injury According to a study from Injury Epidemiology, younger children are at greater risk of bicycle injury than adults, yet their helme ..read more

Famed former American Idol judge Simon Cowell ended up in the hospital in January 2022 with a broken arm, severe facial wounds, and a possible concussion after a crash on his e-bike. While he was able to head home later that day, this wasn’t his first time getting hurt while riding a motorized bicycle. A year and a half earlier, Cowell broke his back while testing out his new e-bike in front of his family. One six-hour spinal surgery, a metal rod, and months of recovery later, the music industry legend decided to get back on a bike and ended up injured again. He now wears a wrist splint and s ..read more

With the wind on your face, cruising at a speed that feels like flying, few things feel better than riding a bike down your neighborhood street. Bicycling often gives riders a sense of free-wheeling freedom, but it’s easy to forget that the risks are real. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of preventable deaths from bicycle transportation incidents increased by 44%. And of the 1,260 bicyclist deaths in 2020, 806 died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, compared to 454 in other non-traffic incidents. These rates typically peak during the summer. The good news is that careful riding and an awarene ..read more