Photos: The health week in review (July 10-16)

As the federal deficit debate heats up, new life has been pumped into controversial proposals for requiring Americans on Medicare to pay more for their healthcare, raising the possibility that seniors’ medical bills could jump hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If such proposals are enacted, it could mean higher co-pays, higher deductibles or higher premiums for many seniors. Many in Washington think that the ideas have gained enough traction that they will resurface, if not now, then after the 2012 election.   (Mandel Ngan /AFP / Getty Images)

Japanese and European researchers have identified a new, but so far rare, strain of gonorrhea that is exceptionally resistant to cephalosporins, the last remaining family of antibiotics available to treat the sexually transmitted disease. This new strain of one of the most common STDs in the world, called H041, has left some researchers fearful of a global outbreak. Also, what are the odds that chlamydia or syphilis could turn into the next super germs?   (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

In a new assessment of cancer data, researchers from the National Cancer Institute found that men are more than twice as likely as women to die of lung, skin, kidney and liver cancers. Overall, not including sex-specific or breast cancers, men’s death rates are 1.9 times higher than women’s, according to the new research. Lifestyle factors caused the divide. For example, researchers found that men are more than five times as likely to die of lip and larynx cancers, two cancers linked to tobacco and heavy alcohol use.   (Uriel Sinai / Getty Images)

Erin Carr-Jordan, of Arizona, says she has visited and videotaped more than 50 playlands attached to fast-food restaurants. Carr-Jordan has also been sending her swab samples to a lab that she said found staphylococcus and other bacteria. She says she’s found alarming conditions in rich and poor areas alike. You can watch Carr-Jordan’s video tour of the food- and graffiti-tainted structures on YouTube.   (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

In more appealing fast-food news, 19 chains -- including Burger King, Denny’s, IHOP, Chili’s, Friendly’s, Chevy’s and El Pollo Loco -- have agreed to participate in the Kids Live Well initiative as worries increase about the role of fast food in childhood obesity. To meet the initiative’s criteria, participating restaurants must promise to offer at least one children’s meal that has fewer than 600 calories, no soft drinks and at least two items from the following food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy.   (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Tubers have gotten a bum rap lately, being blamed over other foods for people’s long-term weight gain and possibly being limited in favor of other vegetables for school lunches. But some nutrition experts, along with farmers and cooks, have come to the potato’s rescue, saying the negative limelight is overstated and linked to frying.  (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)