May 12 – 18 is National Women’s Health Week!
General Health
Grayson Waits, MPH
National Women’s Health Week is an observance that aims to ➡️ Highlight women’s health issues and priorities and ➡️ Encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This year’s theme is Empowering Women, Cultivating Health: Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience. The Office on Women’s Health uses this week to celebrate Read more…
We should get ahead of vaccine hesitancy before new vaccines come out.
Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Recent headlines have been filled with news about the H5N1 “avian flu” outbreak in birds and cattle. The situation is quickly evolving, requiring public health officials and communicators to stay up to date and provide rapid and regular updates. Concerns about our country’s readiness to deal with another pandemic are growing, including insufficient data collection Read more…
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update – May 8, 2024
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update This update is accurate as of May 8, 2024. Q: What’s the latest in the H5N1 outbreak? A: We are beginning to get more information about how this virus spreads and what the public health community could be doing to improve its response. The current outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) has Read more…
May 5-9 is National Nurses Week!
Women in STEM
Nurses have been vital to the spirit and operations of Those Nerdy Girls since the beginning. Our style of empathetic and trustworthy science communication is inspired by the therapeutic communcation approach of nursing. We are SO grateful to the nurses everywhere delivering their vital care, this week and EVERY week. Dr. Ashely Ritter (APRN, PhD) Read more…
What resources are available to help train the next generation of Nerdy Girls (and Guys) to navigate misinformation?
Data Literacy Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Whether you are a teacher or a parent, there are lots of resources available to help kids boost their skills in navigating misinformation. Check out a few we like below! 🔵 Checkology: a free e-learning platform from The News Literacy Project that offers interactive lessons led by journalists and other experts on topics including Read more…
Avian flu update – April 2024
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The avian flu virus infecting dairy cattle herds, poultry, and many wild birds in the United States is an emerging situation with unanswered questions. At this point, no case of a human passing the virus along to another human has been identified. This means that it’s unlikely to become widespread among humans in its current Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
National Women’s Health Week is an observance that aims to ➡️ Highlight women’s health issues and priorities and ➡️ Encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This year’s theme is Empowering Women, Cultivating Health: Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience. The Office on Women’s Health uses this week to celebrate Read more…
We should get ahead of vaccine hesitancy before new vaccines come out.
Uncertainty and Misinformation VaccinesSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Recent headlines have been filled with news about the H5N1 “avian flu” outbreak in birds and cattle. The situation is quickly evolving, requiring public health officials and communicators to stay up to date and provide rapid and regular updates. Concerns about our country’s readiness to deal with another pandemic are growing, including insufficient data collection Read more…
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update – May 8, 2024
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update This update is accurate as of May 8, 2024. Q: What’s the latest in the H5N1 outbreak? A: We are beginning to get more information about how this virus spreads and what the public health community could be doing to improve its response. The current outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) has Read more…
May 5-9 is National Nurses Week!
Women in STEM
Nurses have been vital to the spirit and operations of Those Nerdy Girls since the beginning. Our style of empathetic and trustworthy science communication is inspired by the therapeutic communcation approach of nursing. We are SO grateful to the nurses everywhere delivering their vital care, this week and EVERY week. Dr. Ashely Ritter (APRN, PhD) Read more…
What resources are available to help train the next generation of Nerdy Girls (and Guys) to navigate misinformation?
Data Literacy Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Whether you are a teacher or a parent, there are lots of resources available to help kids boost their skills in navigating misinformation. Check out a few we like below! 🔵 Checkology: a free e-learning platform from The News Literacy Project that offers interactive lessons led by journalists and other experts on topics including Read more…
Avian flu update – April 2024
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The avian flu virus infecting dairy cattle herds, poultry, and many wild birds in the United States is an emerging situation with unanswered questions. At this point, no case of a human passing the virus along to another human has been identified. This means that it’s unlikely to become widespread among humans in its current Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Recent headlines have been filled with news about the H5N1 “avian flu” outbreak in birds and cattle. The situation is quickly evolving, requiring public health officials and communicators to stay up to date and provide rapid and regular updates. Concerns about our country’s readiness to deal with another pandemic are growing, including insufficient data collection Read more…
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update – May 8, 2024
Infectious Diseases Staying SafeSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update This update is accurate as of May 8, 2024. Q: What’s the latest in the H5N1 outbreak? A: We are beginning to get more information about how this virus spreads and what the public health community could be doing to improve its response. The current outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) has Read more…
May 5-9 is National Nurses Week!
Women in STEM
Nurses have been vital to the spirit and operations of Those Nerdy Girls since the beginning. Our style of empathetic and trustworthy science communication is inspired by the therapeutic communcation approach of nursing. We are SO grateful to the nurses everywhere delivering their vital care, this week and EVERY week. Dr. Ashely Ritter (APRN, PhD) Read more…
What resources are available to help train the next generation of Nerdy Girls (and Guys) to navigate misinformation?
Data Literacy Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Whether you are a teacher or a parent, there are lots of resources available to help kids boost their skills in navigating misinformation. Check out a few we like below! 🔵 Checkology: a free e-learning platform from The News Literacy Project that offers interactive lessons led by journalists and other experts on topics including Read more…
Avian flu update – April 2024
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The avian flu virus infecting dairy cattle herds, poultry, and many wild birds in the United States is an emerging situation with unanswered questions. At this point, no case of a human passing the virus along to another human has been identified. This means that it’s unlikely to become widespread among humans in its current Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update This update is accurate as of May 8, 2024. Q: What’s the latest in the H5N1 outbreak? A: We are beginning to get more information about how this virus spreads and what the public health community could be doing to improve its response. The current outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) has Read more…
May 5-9 is National Nurses Week!
Women in STEM
Nurses have been vital to the spirit and operations of Those Nerdy Girls since the beginning. Our style of empathetic and trustworthy science communication is inspired by the therapeutic communcation approach of nursing. We are SO grateful to the nurses everywhere delivering their vital care, this week and EVERY week. Dr. Ashely Ritter (APRN, PhD) Read more…
What resources are available to help train the next generation of Nerdy Girls (and Guys) to navigate misinformation?
Data Literacy Families/Kids Uncertainty and MisinformationAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Whether you are a teacher or a parent, there are lots of resources available to help kids boost their skills in navigating misinformation. Check out a few we like below! 🔵 Checkology: a free e-learning platform from The News Literacy Project that offers interactive lessons led by journalists and other experts on topics including Read more…
Avian flu update – April 2024
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
The avian flu virus infecting dairy cattle herds, poultry, and many wild birds in the United States is an emerging situation with unanswered questions. At this point, no case of a human passing the virus along to another human has been identified. This means that it’s unlikely to become widespread among humans in its current Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
A: Whether you are a teacher or a parent, there are lots of resources available to help kids boost their skills in navigating misinformation. Check out a few we like below! 🔵 Checkology: a free e-learning platform from The News Literacy Project that offers interactive lessons led by journalists and other experts on topics including Read more…
Avian flu update – April 2024
Hot Health Topics Infectious DiseasesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
The avian flu virus infecting dairy cattle herds, poultry, and many wild birds in the United States is an emerging situation with unanswered questions. At this point, no case of a human passing the virus along to another human has been identified. This means that it’s unlikely to become widespread among humans in its current Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
The avian flu virus infecting dairy cattle herds, poultry, and many wild birds in the United States is an emerging situation with unanswered questions. At this point, no case of a human passing the virus along to another human has been identified. This means that it’s unlikely to become widespread among humans in its current Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care?
Data LiteracyChana Davis, PhD
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying Safe
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, Read more…
It’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! How should I celebrate?
Aging General Health Staying SafeAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have a way of accumulating in cabinets, drawers, bags, and forgotten pockets. Unused and expired medications should be discarded safely to avoid misuse. Take a few minutes with Those Nerdy Girls to safely dispose of your old medications today. Think about all the places you store medication and then clean them Read more…
What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health?
Reproductive Health
Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…
How stable are conspiracy theory beliefs?
Uncertainty and MisinformationSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy Videos
Chana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Although it’s not very common, conspiracy beliefs can change over time. This gives us new hope about the promise of interventions to change these ideas. When we think about a person who believes one or multiple conspiracy theories, we tend to think of someone whose beliefs are relatively stable and fixed. In the public imagination, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 04/12/24: Fact-checking science-based claims.
Data Literacy VideosChana Davis, PhD
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls and FactCheck.org talk about fact-checking science-based claims. Hosted by: – Lori Robertson: Managing Editor at FactCheck.org (@factcheck.org) – Chana Davis, PhD: Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls (@thosenerdygirls) ➡️ 0:00 – 0:33 General welcome and intros ➡️ 0:34 – 2:21 Introduction to FactCheck.org ➡️ 2:22 – 3:46 Introduction to Those Nerdy Girls Read more…
COVID vaccination reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes after a COVID infection.
Infectious Diseases VaccinesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
New data shows an important benefit of COVID vaccines – lowering your risk of cardiovascular events after an infection. As if a nasty illness, hospitalization, or long COVID were not enough, the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher for weeks (or even months) after a COVID infection. Read more…
What are sensitivity and specificity and why should I care?
Data LiteracySarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
A: Good question! Sensitivity and specificity are characteristics of a medical test that help us determine how useful that test is and how to interpret the result. But, they aren’t the be all and end all. We also want to know the positive and negative predictive value. Strap in for the ride and let’s talk Read more…
How can I prepare to get the most out of my next medical appointment?
Aging General HealthClara Ke, BSN, RN
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Organize your thoughts beforehand on paper, and bring a friend or family member if you need additional support. It can be easy to get flustered sitting in an exam room. Yet your time with your clinician is a valuable opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare to continue to take care of your health. Read more…
Nerdy Girl Alex answers the question “Does getting an IUD hurt?”
Reproductive HealthAlexandra Hall, MD
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data Literacy
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…
How can I be a more savvy consumer of breaking news?
Data LiteracyAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General Health
A: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious Diseases
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
A: Follow the Breaking News Checklist from The News Literacy Project! TL:DR; The checklist includes- minding the (information) gap, being aware of bad actors (spreaders of misinfo), checking out credible news sources (outside of social media), looking for corroborating evidence, and practicing patience as news gets corrected. When breaking news hits, we all want to Read more…
Are GMO foods safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seemed to say something different recently.
General HealthA: There is good scientific consensus that GMO foods are safe and pose no threat to human health. The AAP’s recent report on GMOs was useful in some ways but presented a misleading, alarmist view of the risks posed by the weedkiller glyphosate, a view that conflicts with multiple health agencies. In December, the American Read more…
What did we learn during COVID?
Infectious DiseasesSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
The COVID pandemic taught us many things about the state of our health and our public health system, and these lessons should be top of mind today. During these last two weeks of March, Those Nerdy Girls is honoring our fourth anniversary by reminiscing about where we started, at the height of the COVID pandemic Read more…
What should I do if I get sick? The guidance keeps changing!
Infectious DiseasesJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
Treatments
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
A: If you can stay home for a few days when you are sick, you should. If you test positive for COVID, isolating until you test negative is safest. If you can’t, wear a high quality mask and do your best to minimize your exposure to others. The US CDC recently updated their guidance to Read more…
Avoiding Potential Drug Interactions with Paxlovid
TreatmentsAshley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
Like any medication, antivirals like Paxlovid have the potential to interact with other drugs. One option to avoid potential drug interactions includes a temporary pause of certain medications during treatment with Paxlovid. For example, medications called statins that treat high cholesterol can often be held for 5 to 10 days to allow for treatment of Read more…
