AMA Most Fascinating Medical Facts of 2011

Recently, AMA (American Medical Association) released the most fascinating medical facts of 2011.  Here are just some that seemed to be the most interesting.

1. For every American who quit smoking in 2011, another became obese.
2. 63% of doctors say they have changed an initial diagnosis based on new information found online.
3. Only 9% of patients say online information influences their physician choice.
4. 91% of Americans don't know how much sodium healthy people are supposed to consume.
5. The overwhelming majority of online physician reviews are positive.
6. Anxiety and depression medications are used by 27 million Americans.
7. 82% of U.S. hospitals have delayed patient treatment because of drug shortages.
8. An estimated 4.5 million annual outpatient visits are due to adverse drug events.
9. 80% of patients fear contracting infection in a hospital; 71% worry about medical errors.
10. Nearly 12 million Americans are cancer survivors, 4 times the number in 1971.

And the list goes on...

• View the complete list of medical facts 2011.
• View last year's 2010 edition.