In the late 1990s, National Geographic fell for a big bone scam. A fossil they declared was a missing link between dinosaurs and birds turned out to be a glued-together combination of bone bits from various species.

The use of QCT (quantitative computed tomography) for bone scans instead of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening technology may be another bone scam.

MedPage Today reports that although QCT is increasingly used these days, it delivers 1,000 to 3,000 times more radiation than DXA and exaggerates fracture risks. Find out what technology your scan center uses and opt for DXA.

In other news, a study that looked at more than 94,000 severely obese Medicare patients who got bariatric surgery found that the procedure significantly cut theirs risk for new-onset heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and all-cause death. So don't let age dissuade you from discussing this option with your doc.

Are you saddled with medical debt? It's an economic burden for one-third of American adults, and a health issue because it keeps people from seeking additional medical attention. Now the government is expanding its "No Surprises Act" mandate to make sure that debt collectors follow the law and providers' billing practices are legit.

These are important steps, because as I point out in the "Great Age Reboot," economic inequality is a public health issue, and regulations that foster economic equality will improve the health of the nation. 

By assuming responsibility for your own health and establishing policies that improve everyone's healthcare, we can all live younger, longer.