75º

INSIDER

ROBERT ANDERSON

US life expectancy drops a year in pandemic, most since WWII

AdThis is the first time the CDC has reported on life expectancy from early, partial records; more death certificates from that period may yet come in. Life expectancy is how long a baby born today can expect to live, on average. Black people now lag white people by six years in life expectancy, reversing a trend that had been bringing their numbers closer since 1993. Between 2019 and the first half of 2020, life expectancy decreased 2.7 years for Black people, to 72. Overall, the drop in life expectancy is more evidence of “our mishandling of the pandemic,” Brawley said.

Pilots say they, too, were molested by University of Michigan doc

FILE - This file photo, date and location not known, provided by the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, shows Dr. Robert E. Anderson. Some pilots have emerged as victims of Anderson, a deceased doctor who worked for decades at the University of Michigan. (Robert Kalmbach/Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan via AP, File)DETROIT – A cargo pilot who regularly needed health checkups to keep his license contacted a University of Michigan doctor in 2000. He said Anderson told him to undress, put on a medical gown and get on a table, instead of simply checking the man's vision, hearing and heart. AdSince then, another category of victims has emerged: pilots in southeastern Michigan who needed physicals to get or maintain a license.

US deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far most ever counted

But the 2020 numbers amount to a jump of about 15%, and could go higher once all the deaths from this month are counted. “It was actually a pretty good year for mortality, as things go,” said Anderson, who oversees CDC death statistics. The U.S. coronavirus epidemic has been a big driver of deaths this year, both directly and indirectly. Drug overdose deaths, meanwhile, got much worse. Before the coronavirus even arrived, the U.S. was in the midst of the deadliest drug overdose epidemic in its history.

US suicide rate fell last year after decade of steady rise

NEW YORK – The U.S. suicide rate fell slightly last year, the first annual decline in more than a decade, according to new government data. In 2018, the national suicide rate hit its highest level since 1941 — 14.2 per 100,000 people. But death rates for the nation's two biggest killers — heart disease and cancer — were down, as were death rates for flu, chronic lung disease and Alzheimer's disease. "There are clear forces pressing suicide risk factors in a negative direction,” Moutier said, but that's doesn't mean suicide rates will automatically rise. “It’s possible that the rise in COVID-19 is sort pushing down the suicide rate,” he suggested.

Fact-check: CDC has not reduced the death count related to COVID-19

The CDC data table is based on an analysis of death certificates that mention COVID-19 as a cause. For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned, the CDC notes. As of Aug. 26, the CDC said, there were 161,332 deaths where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate. Experts say it’s not surprising that so few people who died from COVID-19 had no underlying conditions listed on their death certificates. “In 92% of all deaths that mention COVID-19, COVID-19 is listed as the underlying cause of death."

Judge: University of Michigan must tell alumni about doctor abuse lawsuits

ANN ARBOR, Mich. A judge has ordered the University of Michigan to inform alumni about a class-action lawsuit against the school over sexual abuse by a longtime campus doctor. U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts intervened after lawyers argued that the university shouldn't be communicating with people who could become plaintiffs in the case. The university must follow up and tell people that participation with WilmerHale is voluntary and that lawsuits are pending in federal court in Detroit. Roberts said WilmerHale can't share any work with a separate team of lawyers that is defending the university. But at the same time the school is seeking to have lawsuits dismissed because too many years have passed.

University of Michigan faces lawsuit claiming Bo Schembechler knew doctor was sexual predator

Despite that complaint and others against Anderson dating back years, Canham failed to take action, the lawsuit claims. FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan shows Dr. Robert E. Anderson. According to the lawsuit, Canham did not act and Anderson retained his position until his retirement in 2003. The lawsuit claims that the University of Michigan gave Anderson unfettered access to thousands of students and athletes, despite the fact that he was demoted in 1979 for sexually preying on students. Three law firms are representing the plaintiffs -- Estey & Bomberger, White Law PLLC, and The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm.

1st female alleges sexual abuse by U of Michigan doctor

She is the first female to publicly say she was sexually abused by a team doctor at the school and says she hopes to inspire other women and men to come forward. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)NOVI, Mich. The first female to publicly say she was sexually abused by a team doctor at the University of Michigan says she hopes to inspire other women and men to come forward. Cathy Kalahar, who played tennis for the Wolverines in the 1970s, joins hundreds of Michigan graduates who allege that doctor Robert Anderson molested them. My motivation is to help other victims to come to terms, to possibly come forward, Kalahar said at a news conference Tuesday in suburban Detroit. Kalahar said she chose to come forward after waves of alleged victims spoke up about what they said Anderson did to them.

Former Michigan gymnast says doctor assaulted him in 1969

The university has said it believes he assaulted athletes, and it wants to compensate victims outside court. Black said he knew teammates as well as other Michigan athletes were assaulted. No small talk, no nothing.In 1969, his first year at Michigan, Black said he tried to express his concern to gymnastics coach Newt Loken as they sat alone on a bench. Coach Loken's an older gentleman, terrific communicator, terrific recruiter, terrific coach. Always gabby but that shut him up.Loken had a very wry, very Cheshire Cat smile, Black said.

Experts say US coronavirus death count is flawed, but close

The accuracy of U.S. coronavirus death count has been both a scientific and political issue. Some conservatives have suggested coronavirus deaths were being over-counted. THE NUMBERSThere is no U.S. coronavirus death count that is both current and complete. For example, there are fewer reported deaths on weekends, when staffing is lower and fewer people are filing reports. CDC officials say they do not know what percentage of reported deaths are lab-confirmed and what percentage are probable.