Do flu vaccines work?

Infectious Diseases Vaccines

Yes. Annual flu vaccines prevent hundreds of thousands of cases of flu and save thousands of lives every year. The answer to the question “how well do they work” isn’t black and white because it changes from year to year, and even sometimes within a season. But even in a year when the flu vaccine Read more…

Today is the Great American Smokeout!

General Health

Q: I have tried to quit smoking five times. How can I quit and stay quit? A: Recovering from nicotine dependence is not about willpower. It is about brain science. Nicotine dependence is a chronic disease that creates long-term changes in your brain. Recovery is possible but may require medical support. Ask your primary care Read more…

Why can’t I get antibiotics for a cough?

Infectious Diseases Treatments

Taking an antibiotic when it’s not needed contributes to antimicrobial resistance and can put you and others at risk of more severe infections. TLDR: Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses mutate in ways that make common treatments ineffective. More and more antibiotics are losing their effectiveness due to antimicrobial resistance, so it Read more…

What is Transgender Awareness Week?

Social and Racial Justice

What is Transgender Awareness Week?  Transgender Awareness Week is a time to protect, advocate for, celebrate, uplift, understand, and honor our trans community. Why is this important? There are many reasons to celebrate and grow awareness of issues around the transgender experience. Let’s start with a crucial goal of public health efforts: to investigate and Read more…

TNG’s Executive Director Dr. Sara Gorman just published her second book!

Uncertainty and Misinformation

Did you know that TNG’s Executive Director Dr. Sara Gorman just published her second book? Here’s a little blurb from her on what the book is about. We’re certainly hearing a lot about trust these days. We’re hearing that trust in government and other societal institutions, like the healthcare system, is dwindling. So what’s going Read more…

Nerdy Girls Live 11/07/24 – Join the fight against misinformation

Uncertainty and Misinformation Videos

Join the fight against misinformation with Those Nerdy Girls and ScienceUpFirst. Learn about levels of scientific evidence, red flags, misleading tactics and tough conversations. Hosted by: Krishana Sankar, PhD: ScienceUpFirst (@scienceupfirst) Chana Davis, PhD: Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00–5:42 – Welcome and Intros ➡️ 5:43– 11:59 – General strategies for polarizing conversations Our tips Read more…

Why are we hearing so much about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae?

Families/Kids Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases

Q: Why are we hearing so much about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae? A: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause respiratory infections, including cold or flu-like symptoms, bronchitis, and walking pneumonia. Since spring of 2024, cases have risen across the USA, particularly in those 2-4 years old. You may have seen news headlines recently or know someone Read more…