Wait, there is more than one type of measles?
Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
You probably know there is an ongoing outbreak of measles in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but did you know that there are several different diseases with “measles” in their everyday name? The disease “measles” is caused by a virus. A virus is a tiny particle stuffed with its own instruction booklet on how Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
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 jackets Read more…
What is the ACIP and why does it matter?
Health Policy Hot Health Topics Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory committee that develops recommendations for vaccination in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bases their recommendations for adult and childhood vaccines on the ACIP recommendations. On June 9, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services removed Read more…
A PSA 📣 on PSA testing: What to know about prostate cancer screening
General Health Hot Health Topics
Those Nerdy Girls
PSA testing is the most common way to help detect prostate cancer. Screening typically begins between ages 40 and 50, but there is no universal guideline. Talk to your clinician to find out the right time for you. The earlier we detect prostate cancer, the better. You might’ve heard in the news about former President Read more…
Science and medical research funding are at risk. We all can help!
General Health Health Policy Hot Health Topics
Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical breakthroughs. Right now, the funding for scientific and medical research is at risk. We all can help! Here are some resources to get you started. Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical Read more…
June is Pride Month. Why do Those Nerdy Girls feel it is important to write about Pride?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and loved ones. Visibility is important because it leads to improvements in safety and health. Those Nerdy Girls would Read more…
Can optimism help us heal from trauma?
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring what hurts — it means holding on to the hope that things can get better. And yes, that hope can make a difference by making things feel a little more manageable as we heal. When we think about healing from trauma, optimism might not be the first thing that comes to Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
You probably know there is an ongoing outbreak of measles in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but did you know that there are several different diseases with “measles” in their everyday name? The disease “measles” is caused by a virus. A virus is a tiny particle stuffed with its own instruction booklet on how Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying SafeSarah Whitley Coles, MD
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 jackets Read more…
What is the ACIP and why does it matter?
Health Policy Hot Health Topics Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory committee that develops recommendations for vaccination in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bases their recommendations for adult and childhood vaccines on the ACIP recommendations. On June 9, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services removed Read more…
A PSA 📣 on PSA testing: What to know about prostate cancer screening
General Health Hot Health Topics
Those Nerdy Girls
PSA testing is the most common way to help detect prostate cancer. Screening typically begins between ages 40 and 50, but there is no universal guideline. Talk to your clinician to find out the right time for you. The earlier we detect prostate cancer, the better. You might’ve heard in the news about former President Read more…
Science and medical research funding are at risk. We all can help!
General Health Health Policy Hot Health Topics
Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical breakthroughs. Right now, the funding for scientific and medical research is at risk. We all can help! Here are some resources to get you started. Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical Read more…
June is Pride Month. Why do Those Nerdy Girls feel it is important to write about Pride?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and loved ones. Visibility is important because it leads to improvements in safety and health. Those Nerdy Girls would Read more…
Can optimism help us heal from trauma?
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring what hurts — it means holding on to the hope that things can get better. And yes, that hope can make a difference by making things feel a little more manageable as we heal. When we think about healing from trauma, optimism might not be the first thing that comes to Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
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 jackets Read more…
What is the ACIP and why does it matter?
Health Policy Hot Health Topics VaccinesSarah Whitley Coles, MD
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory committee that develops recommendations for vaccination in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bases their recommendations for adult and childhood vaccines on the ACIP recommendations. On June 9, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services removed Read more…
A PSA 📣 on PSA testing: What to know about prostate cancer screening
General Health Hot Health Topics
Those Nerdy Girls
PSA testing is the most common way to help detect prostate cancer. Screening typically begins between ages 40 and 50, but there is no universal guideline. Talk to your clinician to find out the right time for you. The earlier we detect prostate cancer, the better. You might’ve heard in the news about former President Read more…
Science and medical research funding are at risk. We all can help!
General Health Health Policy Hot Health Topics
Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical breakthroughs. Right now, the funding for scientific and medical research is at risk. We all can help! Here are some resources to get you started. Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical Read more…
June is Pride Month. Why do Those Nerdy Girls feel it is important to write about Pride?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and loved ones. Visibility is important because it leads to improvements in safety and health. Those Nerdy Girls would Read more…
Can optimism help us heal from trauma?
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring what hurts — it means holding on to the hope that things can get better. And yes, that hope can make a difference by making things feel a little more manageable as we heal. When we think about healing from trauma, optimism might not be the first thing that comes to Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory committee that develops recommendations for vaccination in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bases their recommendations for adult and childhood vaccines on the ACIP recommendations. On June 9, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services removed Read more…
A PSA 📣 on PSA testing: What to know about prostate cancer screening
General Health Hot Health TopicsThose Nerdy Girls
PSA testing is the most common way to help detect prostate cancer. Screening typically begins between ages 40 and 50, but there is no universal guideline. Talk to your clinician to find out the right time for you. The earlier we detect prostate cancer, the better. You might’ve heard in the news about former President Read more…
Science and medical research funding are at risk. We all can help!
General Health Health Policy Hot Health Topics
Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical breakthroughs. Right now, the funding for scientific and medical research is at risk. We all can help! Here are some resources to get you started. Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical Read more…
June is Pride Month. Why do Those Nerdy Girls feel it is important to write about Pride?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and loved ones. Visibility is important because it leads to improvements in safety and health. Those Nerdy Girls would Read more…
Can optimism help us heal from trauma?
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring what hurts — it means holding on to the hope that things can get better. And yes, that hope can make a difference by making things feel a little more manageable as we heal. When we think about healing from trauma, optimism might not be the first thing that comes to Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
PSA testing is the most common way to help detect prostate cancer. Screening typically begins between ages 40 and 50, but there is no universal guideline. Talk to your clinician to find out the right time for you. The earlier we detect prostate cancer, the better. You might’ve heard in the news about former President Read more…
Science and medical research funding are at risk. We all can help!
General Health Health Policy Hot Health Topics
Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical breakthroughs. Right now, the funding for scientific and medical research is at risk. We all can help! Here are some resources to get you started. Science changes lives, fuels our economy, trains the next generation and offers hope through medical Read more…
June is Pride Month. Why do Those Nerdy Girls feel it is important to write about Pride?
Social and Racial JusticeJune is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and loved ones. Visibility is important because it leads to improvements in safety and health. Those Nerdy Girls would Read more…
Can optimism help us heal from trauma?
Mental HealthKelly Valentin
Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring what hurts — it means holding on to the hope that things can get better. And yes, that hope can make a difference by making things feel a little more manageable as we heal. When we think about healing from trauma, optimism might not be the first thing that comes to Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General Health
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring what hurts — it means holding on to the hope that things can get better. And yes, that hope can make a difference by making things feel a little more manageable as we heal. When we think about healing from trauma, optimism might not be the first thing that comes to Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do?
General HealthSarah Whitley Coles, MD
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Rebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
I’m stressing out about gaining weight. What can I do? As summer approaches, people start putting a lot of weight on their weight. But your health is more than just a number. Here are some ideas to help you focus on what really matters. Maybe you have noticed that your clothes aren’t fitting the same. Read more…
Is your clinician treating the “root cause” of your problem?
Clinical Symptoms General HealthRebecca Raskin-Wish
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Possibly not, but the reality is that we’re still figuring out the root cause of most things! Let’s say you’ve been feeling really tired lately, so you go see your clinician and they ask about your stress levels and run a bunch of labs, maybe even a sleep study. But everything is normal. Now what? Read more…
What happens after a cancer diagnosis?
General HealthClara Ke, BSN, RN
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
Cynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Information overload is a common challenge. Understand who’s on your cancer care team, use your information resources, and share your journey with those you trust. The biopsy report comes back with the news you never wanted to hear: cancer. Your head begins to swim at the thought of the diagnosis, as well as all the Read more…
What’s happening with measles in the U.S. as of May?
Hot Health Topics Infectious DiseasesCynthia (Cindy) Leifer, PhD
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments Vaccines
Sandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
We have now surpassed 1000 cases of measles in the US. How can we control the outbreak? Update on numbers Confirmed cases are correct as of Friday May 23, 2025 (Note that the CDC updates their numbers on Friday at noon) ➡️ There are now more than 1000 cases of measles across the US. ⬆️ Read more…
What exactly are Ethics, and how important are they in human medical research?
Treatments VaccinesSandy Laping
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General Health
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Bottom line up front – Medical research is strictly regulated, and ethical Read more…
May Is Osteoporosis Awareness Month: Why Bone Health Matters for Everyone
Aging General HealthDaphne Berryhill, RPh
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data Literacy
Chana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
TL;DR: Osteoporosis is a common condition caused by low bone mass and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss can happen for many reasons, and anyone can develop osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to keep their bones healthy! May is a month of renewal as plants and trees flourish with Read more…
What is a confounder (confounding variable) and why should I care? — Tips for making sense of science
Data LiteracyChana Davis, PhD
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments Vaccines
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Confounders (or confounding variables) are factors that are associated with both the “cause” and “effect” (or exposure and outcome) in a potential cause-and-effect relationship. If ignored, they can cause misleading results and conclusions. Common confounders include age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Imagine a study that looked at the relationship between diet and various health conditions. Read more…
How do we know clinical trials actually work?
General Health Treatments VaccinesElisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and Metrics
Ilana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications and vaccines work and that their benefits outweigh the risks. We know these trials work because we can find examples where trials were paused or stopped due to concerns with safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are done to ensure that medications or vaccines work (officially called efficacy) Read more…
What can we learn from the CDC’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard?
Data and MetricsIlana Gerjuoy, MPH
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Want to see how overdose, suicide, homicide and firearms death trends are shifting in your community and across the U.S.? A new dashboard from the CDC makes local and national data easier to explore. Use it to learn about trends, support your work, or advocate for change. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more…
What is Belief Perseverance, and how do I avoid it?
Uncertainty and MisinformationSarah Whitley Coles, MD
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health Policy
Those Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Belief perseverance, also called the backfire effect, occurs when we hold on to our beliefs even after they are proven wrong. Critical thinking, meaningful reflection, and open-mindedness to a broad array of trustworthy resources can help prevent us from falling into that trap! It feels like everyone has that friend or weird uncle who clings Read more…
How will government funding cuts affect the CDC?
Health PolicyThose Nerdy Girls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General Health
Clara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut nearly 20% of its workforce due to a recent reduction in force called for by the current administration. Several divisions were eliminated, including ones responsible for monitoring air and water quality, preventing childhood lead poisoning, and supporting safe drinking water initiatives. On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Read more…
What’s the deal with HPV and head & neck cancers?
Clinical Symptoms General HealthClara Ke, BSN, RN
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental Health
Kelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is becoming a leading cause of head & neck cancers in the US. Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself on top of safer sex and reduced alcohol/tobacco use. You may have heard a lot about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) in the news, but did you know HPV can Read more…
Mental Health Matters Every Month: Let’s Talk About It.
Mental HealthKelly Valentin
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence. 🤔 Did you know? ▪️As many as 1 in 8 people Read more…
