You might have heard of a highly mutated new COVID variant that is making headlines. It’s a variant worth watching, but not worth panicking about — here’s what the science actually says, and what you can do to protect yourself. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): “Cicada’, AKA BA.3.2 in science speak, is a variant to Read more…
A: Quick CPR and use of an AED can save a life! Note: This post was updated by Those Nerdy Girls from the original published on January 6, 2023. When someone’s heart stops beating, there are three things to do. First, call 911. Second, get the AED, or Automatic External Defibrillator, because it can help Read more…
Medications have a way of piling up and can pose real risks. The good news is that getting rid of prescription and over-the-counter medications safely is simple, and any time of year is a good time to do it. 💊Medications have a way of piling up. A prescription you picked up but ended up not Read more…
I’ve heard there was a meningitis outbreak in the UK recently. Can you tell me more and how I can best protect my family? 🤔 Have you heard about the recent meningitis outbreak in the UK? Here’s what you need to know. TL;DR: A recent outbreak of bacterial meningitis in the UK, linked to a Read more…
Tl;dr: Decision fatigue is that worn-out, run-down feeling we get when we have too many choices to make. As we become overwhelmed with choices, our ability to make decisions gets worse. We can minimize decision fatigue by reducing the number of decisions we need to make every day, having routines, and resting. Ever found yourself Read more…
Geographic data, or information organized by location, may look precise, but it’s shaped by choices. How boundaries are drawn, how data are grouped, and how small numbers are handled can all change the story you see. Geographic data, or information tied to a specific place, often appears clean and straightforward – zip code, census tract Read more…
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is April 11 – 17. What do we need to know? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. After the initial feelings Read more…
With measles cases now in 30 states (as of April 2026), many of our readers have questions about what they can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Nerdy Girl Dr. Cindy Leifer (Immuno Minutes) is here to answer them. Read our most recent post on measles by Nerdy Girls Dr. Cindy Leifer Read more…
Measles is a virus that spreads from person to person in tiny droplets that stay in the air for hours. It is the most contagious infection in people. The good news is that there is a highly effective vaccine, which is greater than 97% effective if you get both doses. Watch this video from Cindy Read more…
Navigating the healthcare system is difficult – even for those without disabilities or social, financial, employment, and/or family challenges. Many helpful tips are available on various reputable websites, examples here, here , and here. But if you find you’re still frustrated (I’m betting you are), keep reading, and remember – you’re taking care of your Read more…
Riddle us this, Nerdies! What is crucial for the well-being of everyone but is all but invisible when it’s working effectively? Public Health, of course! It’s National Public Health Week, and Those Nerdy Girls would like to show our support to all our public health colleagues and raise up their voices and good deeds. We Read more…
We thought April Fools’ Day would be a good time to post one of our most popular and humorous posts, originally published on July 25, 2020. A: Great question — and we know there are lots of folks out there who have similar concerns about masks. Maybe you’ve wondered about how useful or safe masks Read more…
