(March 25, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From Alberta - Hospitals that participate in clinical trials may provide better quality care. In a study of over 170,000 subjects, adherence to recommended clinical practice guidelines and mortality was tested following acute coronary syndrome. Patients who received their care from hospitals that participated in clinical trials had a significantly higher rate of adherence to recommended guidelines and a 40% reduction of in-hospital mortality.

From Tennessee - African-Americans with a family history of bowel cancer are not being screened. Current guidelines recommend that you should begin to have your bowel imaged at age 40 if you have a first degree relative with bowel cancer. The researchers studied over 40,000 subjects, and noted that those of African-American ancestry who had one or more family member with bowel cancer were nearly 40% less likely to have a colonoscopy within the last 5 years.

And finally, from Australia - Losing significant weight can lower your blood pressure. Researchers were able to determine that a 9 pound weight reduction with dietary modification was associated with a 6 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. Dietary weight loss techniques were better at lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure than weight loss pills.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.