Recent News Articles for Law Students to Consider When Looking for Legal Research Topics with Significance in an Aging World

It is the time of year when law students often stop by my office for a visit to explore possible ideas for their case notes for law review or for other student writing opportunities.   Here are a few recent topics I think have some interesting law/aging/ethical/finance issues:

1. The Impact of Big Pharma Products on Balance?  See the recent New York Times’ Column, The New Old Age, by Paula Span:  “Why Are More Older People Dying After Falls?” 
2. Will Medicare Cover Cutting Edge Treatments for Older Adults?  See “A Pill to Health the Brain Could Revolutionize Neuroscience,” By Rachel Gross, New York Times
3. What Concerns Are Being Addressed by Justice in Aging?  Sign up for their free watchdog newsletters that offer a plethora of resources at  Justice in Aging: Fighting Senior Poverty Through Law
4. How Can State and Local Governments Fight “Deed Fraud”?  See e.g. recent articles such as this one from the Philadelphia Inquirer:  “Philadelphia Created an Automated System That Checks Whether Home Sellers are Dead.”  
5. Are there ethical issues associated with “early” tests for dementia? — especially tests that could be given “years before” diagnosis?  See e.g. “Early Alzheimer’s Brainwave Text Detects Memory Decline Years Before Diagnosis,”  published By MedicalXpress.com