Cell Phone Usage: More, More, More or Less, Less, Less? [LEARNING LAB]

Recently, several studies evaluating the impact of cell phone usage on brain tumor and other health impacts have appeared in the literature. Some studies conclude long-term cell phone usage is a health risk and some conclude the opposite. Some studies evolve from large-scale international efforts to understand the health impact of cell-phone usage. Other studies are more independent, while additional studies review a combination of these studies. The purpose of this roundtable session is to look at each type of published study and assess health risk within the context of the experimental approach and risk factors. Given that different types of studies reach different conclusions regarding the risk of cell phones, what is the appropriate action to take? Who is at most risk from cell-phone usage? Are cordless phones more or less of a risk than cell phones? What action makes the most sense to reduce risk of brain tumors and brain cancer from cell phone usage? Are there any other potential health impacts posed by cell phones? This roundtable not only looks at the current epidemiological studies and reviews of cell phone usage but offers strategies to critically assess the evolving body of literature on the immediate and future risks posed by cell phone usage.