Why are we hearing so much about Mycoplasma Pneumoniae?
Families/Kids Hot Health Topics Infectious DiseasesElisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
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…
October 30, 2024
Should your baby get a Vitamin K shot?
Families/Kids
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Yes! Both the American Association of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend the vitamin K shot for every newborn. Vitamin K is extremely important for blood clotting and we aren’t born with any, so it’s necessary to give babies an extra boost of Vitamin K to make sure they don’t bleed too much. What Read more…
October 18, 2024
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens?
Families/Kids General Health
Ashley Sever, MPH
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens? TL;DR: Nicotine pouches are small, flavored microfiber pouches that deliver nicotine through the mouth and gums. As with any nicotine product, they are highly addictive and come with potential risks for developing teen brains. Trusted adults can help. As a millennial who grew up Read more…
October 4, 2024
What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid?
Families/Kids Long COVID
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Q: What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid? A: Children under 18 are impacted by long COVID and experience many different symptoms that can affect their lives. Vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID, but we need more research into prevention and treatment for all age groups. Long Read more…
September 25, 2024
Are your child’s vaccinations up-to-date?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
It is back-to-school season and this is a Nerdy Girl reminder for parents and carers to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Here are a few reasons why your child’s immunizations should be part of your harm reduction toolbox: 1) Vaccines help prevent diseases and can be lifesaving. When you get a Read more…
September 23, 2024
What’s in childhood vaccines?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
July 5, 2024
Are chemical sunscreens really “toxic,” as some social media influencers say?
Families/Kids General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
July 3, 2024
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
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…
Should your baby get a Vitamin K shot?
Families/KidsRebecca Raskin-Wish
Yes! Both the American Association of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend the vitamin K shot for every newborn. Vitamin K is extremely important for blood clotting and we aren’t born with any, so it’s necessary to give babies an extra boost of Vitamin K to make sure they don’t bleed too much. What Read more…
October 18, 2024
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens?
Families/Kids General Health
Ashley Sever, MPH
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens? TL;DR: Nicotine pouches are small, flavored microfiber pouches that deliver nicotine through the mouth and gums. As with any nicotine product, they are highly addictive and come with potential risks for developing teen brains. Trusted adults can help. As a millennial who grew up Read more…
October 4, 2024
What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid?
Families/Kids Long COVID
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Q: What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid? A: Children under 18 are impacted by long COVID and experience many different symptoms that can affect their lives. Vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID, but we need more research into prevention and treatment for all age groups. Long Read more…
September 25, 2024
Are your child’s vaccinations up-to-date?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
It is back-to-school season and this is a Nerdy Girl reminder for parents and carers to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Here are a few reasons why your child’s immunizations should be part of your harm reduction toolbox: 1) Vaccines help prevent diseases and can be lifesaving. When you get a Read more…
September 23, 2024
What’s in childhood vaccines?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
July 5, 2024
Are chemical sunscreens really “toxic,” as some social media influencers say?
Families/Kids General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
July 3, 2024
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Yes! Both the American Association of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend the vitamin K shot for every newborn. Vitamin K is extremely important for blood clotting and we aren’t born with any, so it’s necessary to give babies an extra boost of Vitamin K to make sure they don’t bleed too much. What Read more…
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens?
Families/Kids General HealthAshley Sever, MPH
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens? TL;DR: Nicotine pouches are small, flavored microfiber pouches that deliver nicotine through the mouth and gums. As with any nicotine product, they are highly addictive and come with potential risks for developing teen brains. Trusted adults can help. As a millennial who grew up Read more…
October 4, 2024
What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid?
Families/Kids Long COVID
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Q: What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid? A: Children under 18 are impacted by long COVID and experience many different symptoms that can affect their lives. Vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID, but we need more research into prevention and treatment for all age groups. Long Read more…
September 25, 2024
Are your child’s vaccinations up-to-date?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
It is back-to-school season and this is a Nerdy Girl reminder for parents and carers to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Here are a few reasons why your child’s immunizations should be part of your harm reduction toolbox: 1) Vaccines help prevent diseases and can be lifesaving. When you get a Read more…
September 23, 2024
What’s in childhood vaccines?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
July 5, 2024
Are chemical sunscreens really “toxic,” as some social media influencers say?
Families/Kids General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
July 3, 2024
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
What are nicotine pouches, and what are their risks for teens? TL;DR: Nicotine pouches are small, flavored microfiber pouches that deliver nicotine through the mouth and gums. As with any nicotine product, they are highly addictive and come with potential risks for developing teen brains. Trusted adults can help. As a millennial who grew up Read more…
What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid?
Families/Kids Long COVIDElisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Q: What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid? A: Children under 18 are impacted by long COVID and experience many different symptoms that can affect their lives. Vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID, but we need more research into prevention and treatment for all age groups. Long Read more…
September 25, 2024
Are your child’s vaccinations up-to-date?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
It is back-to-school season and this is a Nerdy Girl reminder for parents and carers to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Here are a few reasons why your child’s immunizations should be part of your harm reduction toolbox: 1) Vaccines help prevent diseases and can be lifesaving. When you get a Read more…
September 23, 2024
What’s in childhood vaccines?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
July 5, 2024
Are chemical sunscreens really “toxic,” as some social media influencers say?
Families/Kids General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
July 3, 2024
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Q: What is the latest research regarding children under age 18 and Long Covid? A: Children under 18 are impacted by long COVID and experience many different symptoms that can affect their lives. Vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID, but we need more research into prevention and treatment for all age groups. Long Read more…
Are your child’s vaccinations up-to-date?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases VaccinesIt is back-to-school season and this is a Nerdy Girl reminder for parents and carers to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Here are a few reasons why your child’s immunizations should be part of your harm reduction toolbox: 1) Vaccines help prevent diseases and can be lifesaving. When you get a Read more…
What’s in childhood vaccines?
Families/Kids Infectious Diseases VaccinesAndrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
July 5, 2024
Are chemical sunscreens really “toxic,” as some social media influencers say?
Families/Kids General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
July 3, 2024
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Ingredients in childhood vaccines are safe and are also common in the environment and other household items. The end of summer is a busy time of year for parents. With health visits and school supplies on the brain, vaccines are probably the last thing on most parents’ minds. But have you ever wondered about what’s Read more…
Are chemical sunscreens really “toxic,” as some social media influencers say?
Families/Kids General Health Staying SafeDaphne Berryhill, RPh
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
July 3, 2024
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Chemical sunscreens have no proven health risks, but they ARE proven to protect the skin from the sun’s UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. As with many things in our daily lives, we can’t be sure that chemical sunscreens are 100% risk-free. Still, medical and scientific experts agree that the benefits Read more…
4th of July Safety Tips
Families/Kids Staying SafeGretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
June 7, 2024
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
🇺🇸🇺🇸 Those Nerdy Girls wishes a safe and happy 4th of July to all who celebrate! Here are some tips to get you, your family, and your pets through safely. ➡️ FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS (courtesy American Red Cross) The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying SafeSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
May 25, 2024
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/KidsAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
April 27, 2024
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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news 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…
February 23, 2024
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there 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…
How can we help our kids (or our grown-ups) cope with needles?
Families/Kids VaccinesAndrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
January 23, 2024
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
For children and adults who do not respond to relaxation or distraction, application of light touch, cold, or vibration near an injection site can override the body’s pain center, making shots feel less painful. As anyone who’s held down a screaming toddler during their immunizations knows, they don’t like shots. Toddlers don’t like a lot Read more…
Are puberty blockers helpful or harmful to trans youth?
Families/Kids Mental Health Reproductive HealthAlexandra Hall, MD
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
November 21, 2023
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
A: Current evidence suggests that puberty blockers, which hit the pause button on puberty and are reversible, significantly improve the mental health of trans youth while reducing the risk of needing future surgeries. A recent study showed that trans teens who were treated with puberty blockers had significantly less anxiety, depression, and stress compared to Read more…
Tips for a Safer Thanksgiving
Families/Kids Staying SafeJennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
November 8, 2023
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
How can I talk to my child about the news?
Families/Kids Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
October 12, 2023
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
Does getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy help protect the newborn?
Families/Kids Reproductive Health VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
September 16, 2023
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Tl;dr: Yes! Getting a COVID vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk that the baby will need to be hospitalized for COVID illness in the first 6 months of life. A recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk the baby would Read more…
Sept 16 is National Working Parents Day.
Families/Kids General HealthMK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
September 8, 2023
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and Misinformation
Gretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Are you juggling work and family responsibilities? Do you get overwhelmed with trying to do it all and do it well? First, let us honor and validate our struggles and suffering while recognizing that our systems are not set up to support us in “doing it all” well. While we grow as a society and Read more…
How can we help young people become more savvy consumers of online information?
Families/Kids Uncertainty and MisinformationGretchen Peterson, Chief Operations Officer
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
August 24, 2023
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids Vaccines
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
TL;DR The World Health Organization has identified mis/disinformation as a pressing public issue, for adults and children alike. There are steps both educators and parents can take to address this critical issue. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to examine what we can all do. Misinformation is generally defined as Read more…
What’s the real-world evidence that COVID-19 vaccines for little kids work?
Families/Kids VaccinesMalia Jones, PhD MPH
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
July 11, 2023
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
TL;DR: Recent real-world data from the US show that COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months to 5 years reduced their risk of visiting an ER with COVID-19 by half or more for at least 60 days after their last dose. Protection started to decline after 60 days, similar to what we have seen in Read more…
What should I know about marijuana now that it’s becoming legal in more states?
Families/Kids Mental HealthSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…
Marijuana may not be as addictive as opioids or alcohol, but it is definitely associated with some negative consequences, especially among adolescents. In June of this year, a study was published in Nature Medicine detailing the efficacy in a small trial of an experimental drug to combat marijuana addiction. When it comes to marijuana, there Read more…