The American diet — apparently lacking in fruits and vegetables — is well-documented for its shortcomings. At the same time, people are searching for more creative ways to improve their health and prevent illness. What do these things have in common? They’re both addressed with dietary supplements. A Better Health reporter is writing a story on dietary supplements and would like your opinions — what you take, why you take it and what led you to try supplements. If you have opinions you’d like to share, please e-mail fdawson@ajc.com.

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Will you get your next mammogram?

By Faith Dawson | Friday, May 18, 2007, 07:00 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A recent study indicates that fewer women are getting mammograms to screen for breast cancer, even though the disease can be deadly. Researchers mentioned a number of potential reasons for the decline, but no one knows for sure what prompted it. The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women age 40 and older. If this applies to you, will you continue to go? Or will you be among the number who put it off? Why?

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Drug reps and influence

By Faith Dawson | Friday, May 11, 2007, 07:00 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Health experts are debating whether it’s appropriate for doctors to accept drug samples from sales reps. It’s a complicated issue, but some doctors say drug samples help patients save time and money, and allow them to try the drug before they buy a full course. On the other hand, critics say that drug reps have too much influence in the doctor’s office: They may be selling a drug that’s more expensive but not more effective than another drug, for example. As consumers, we can ask questions about our prescriptions before we leave the doctor’s office — but a lot of us like to save time and money, too. Do you prefer the samples that make your life easier or the knowledge that your doctor doesn’t appear to be influenced by a drug rep? Do you think you can have it both ways?

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Do you wash your produce?

By Faith Dawson | Friday, May 4, 2007, 07:00 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Admit it: If you haven’t eaten unwashed produce, you’ve at least thought about it. It’s just so easy to rip the bag of “triple-washed” salad greens right open and dump it in a plate. (Then again, it’s easy to rip the bag open after you first buy it and wash it all right then, too.) Do you wash all your produce before you eat it?

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