High Heels: The Next Public Health Problem?


Researchers report in the Lancet (May 9, 1998) that "Although millions of women wear high-heeled shoes, little is known about the effects of these shoes on the forces acting on leg joints." And, "Since osteoarthritis of the knee is twice as common in women as men, we investigated torques (forces applied about the leg joints) of women who wore high-heeled shoes."

The researchers found that high-heeled shoes alter the forces at the knee (DUH!) and then concluded that "The altered forces at the knee may predispose to degenerative changes in the joint."

Although this report did not directly link high heels to "degenerative changes," I'm quite sure that it's only a matter of time before the federal Women's Apparel Protection Administration (WAPA) opens its doors.

One question, though: Will transvestites (like Rue Paul and Boy George!) be covered by WAPA?

Comments on this posting?

Click here to post a public comment on the Trash Talk Bulletin Board.

Click here to send a private comment to the Junkman.


Material presented on this home page constitutes opinion of the author.
Copyright © 1998 Steven J. Milloy. All rights reserved. Site developed and hosted by WestLake Solutions, Inc.
 1