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What is the USPSTF and why does it matter?

General Health Health Policy Hot Health Topics

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an independent advisory panel of experts who make evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services. (This post was updated by Those Nerdy Girls from the original published on August 22, 2025.) In July 2025, the current Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) abruptly canceled a meeting Read more…

For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), effective therapies and supportive medications exist.

Families/Kids General Health Treatments

Continued research is needed, but in the meantime, avoiding unproven and harmful therapies is the best medicine. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), effective therapies for social/communication symptoms and medications to help co-occurring conditions (depression, anxiety, irritability) exist. Continued research is needed, but in the meantime, avoiding unproven and harmful therapies is the best Read more…

Osteoporosis treatment options: pills, injections, or lifestyle changes — how do I choose what’s right for me?

General Health Treatments

Managing osteoporosis begins with lifestyle approaches. Medication can further lower the chance of a bone break from osteoporosis. Your clinician can help you decide which treatment is right for you. When my mom was first diagnosed with osteoporosis, she was both surprised and upset. The idea of thinning bones is an unsettling thought. It’s especially hard to Read more…

What’s with the American Heart Association’s new claims about the heart healthiness of alcohol?

General Health Health Policy

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently suggested that light drinking may be a positive for heart health. The health benefits of even moderate alcohol use seem very small while the risks are real. In July, the Association, which is a leader in the heart health field, published a review suggesting that not only is light Read more…

Could telehealth be a good option for me?

General Health

Knowing when telehealth makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to prepare can lead to better healthcare outcomes. Telehealth [archived link], also known as telemedicine or virtual care, is a method of accessing certain types of healthcare services and information without visiting a clinician’s office, using a phone, tablet, or computer instead. During a typical Read more…

Is it ok for me to drive after using cannabis?

General Health

Note – Evidence and research around this topic continue to emerge and evolve. The post below is based on the best information currently available (Dec 2025). TL;DR: It is NOT safe to drive after using cannabis. Cannabis can negatively affect your ability to drive safely, even hours after use. While it’s tempting to think driving Read more…

From Civil Rights Hubs to Pharmacy Deserts: What Pharmacy Closures Mean—And How You Can Take Action

General Health Health Policy Social and Racial Justice

Pharmacies provide essential care, from medications to vaccinations and more. The loss of a nearby pharmacy hurts the people who rely on it the most. Here’s why more pharmacies are closing—and what you can do to support pharmacy access for all. Imagine stepping into your local pharmacy—the place where you ask questions, get vaccines, and Read more…

Can a biopsy spread your cancer?

General Health

Most biopsies won’t spread cancer. For cancers like testicular cancer, a biopsy can spread cancer, which is why physicians will remove suspected cancer rather than biopsy. Biopsies have come under fire on social media recently. People are saying that biopsies aren’t safe because they can “seed” the cancer. Seeding is the term used for cancer Read more…

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?

Aging General Health

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a complex, long process, but new technologies show promise for more rapid and accurate diagnosis. With over 7 million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s disease, and as a disease that is rarely publicly discussed with much surrounding stigma, it is only natural that many people have questions about what it Read more…

Do we all have worms?

General Health

Worms have been all over celebrity news lately and there are a lot of TikTok creators who are selling worm “cleanses.” There has also been a recent human infection of screwworms (which are actually parasitic fly larva) in the United States. So should you be worried about getting worms? Worm infections are a huge problem Read more…

There has been a lot about Tylenol in the news lately. Can you explain what the different pain and fever reducers are?

General Health Hot Health Topics Treatments

There are multiple over-the-counter fever and pain-reducing medications, but they are not all equal and some can be dangerous for certain people. It is important to know the differences so you can keep you and your family safe. Trying to choose a fever-reducing medication can be confusing. There are so many different drug names and Read more…

Should we be afraid of toxic mold?

General Health

Recently there have been some claims about a “toxic mold” epidemic on social media. While indoor mold is never a good thing, this claim probably doesn’t hold much weight. What is mold in the environment? Mold is a naturally occurring living organism [archived link] that can be found anywhere there is oxygen and moisture. Molds Read more…