Honoring Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth
Social and Racial Justice
Gretchen Peterson, Production Team
Today Those Nerdy Girls honor Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth. We first wrote about her last year (scroll down to read that post) and now want to give you some exciting updates on her amazing life and contributions to society. 🟣 On May 3, 2024, Dr. Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Read more…
Who is most exposed to PFAS (forever chemicals)?
General Health Hot Health Topics
Chana Davis, PhD
Certain jobs and communities face higher exposure to PFAS (a type of forever chemical) and a higher risk of health impacts. Three jobs with higher exposure to PFAS are: firefighters, ski wax technicians, and chemical manufacturing workers. Communities near facilities that make or use PFAS may also have increased exposure. Those Nerdy Girls recommends caution, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 06/17/24 – The Ins and Outs of Cancer Screening
General Health Videos
Those Nerdy Girls discuss the ins and outs of cancer screening. Which cancers should you get screened for? What are the pros and cons? Why do screening guidelines keep changing? Hosted by: – Sarah Coles, MD: TNG Contributing Writer, Family physician and Assistant Professor – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled Read more…
This month I’m seeing Pride 🏳️🌈 and Trans 🏳️⚧️ flags everywhere. What is that all about?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. (Pride is celebrated during other months in countries such as Denmark.) 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 Read more…
Are there any updates on COVID-19 we should know about?
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
A: Here is what’s new in the realm of COVID-19 right now: In a nutshell: ➡️ There is a new COVID variant family called FLiRT that may lead to an increase in cases this summer. ➡️ Current vaccines will provide some protection against FLiRT variants. ➡️ Data so far does not suggest that FLiRT variants Read more…
Are mineral sunscreens *really* better than chemical ones?
General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Mineral sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the body, so they may be safer than chemical ones. But when you need sunscreen, any type of sunscreen is better than none. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to avoid skin cancer and visible signs of sun damage. While it’s true that some people have Read more…
Q: Are there more whooping cough cases occurring than normal?
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the first 5 months of 2024, there were nearly 3 times the number of cases reported in the U.S. by this time last year. Cases are also up globally. Make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine! TL; DR: Whooping cough cases are on the rise. Key time points for this vaccine are Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
Uncategorized
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Today Those Nerdy Girls honor Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth. We first wrote about her last year (scroll down to read that post) and now want to give you some exciting updates on her amazing life and contributions to society. 🟣 On May 3, 2024, Dr. Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Read more…
Who is most exposed to PFAS (forever chemicals)?
General Health Hot Health TopicsChana Davis, PhD
Certain jobs and communities face higher exposure to PFAS (a type of forever chemical) and a higher risk of health impacts. Three jobs with higher exposure to PFAS are: firefighters, ski wax technicians, and chemical manufacturing workers. Communities near facilities that make or use PFAS may also have increased exposure. Those Nerdy Girls recommends caution, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 06/17/24 – The Ins and Outs of Cancer Screening
General Health Videos
Those Nerdy Girls discuss the ins and outs of cancer screening. Which cancers should you get screened for? What are the pros and cons? Why do screening guidelines keep changing? Hosted by: – Sarah Coles, MD: TNG Contributing Writer, Family physician and Assistant Professor – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled Read more…
This month I’m seeing Pride 🏳️🌈 and Trans 🏳️⚧️ flags everywhere. What is that all about?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. (Pride is celebrated during other months in countries such as Denmark.) 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 Read more…
Are there any updates on COVID-19 we should know about?
COVID Variants Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
A: Here is what’s new in the realm of COVID-19 right now: In a nutshell: ➡️ There is a new COVID variant family called FLiRT that may lead to an increase in cases this summer. ➡️ Current vaccines will provide some protection against FLiRT variants. ➡️ Data so far does not suggest that FLiRT variants Read more…
Are mineral sunscreens *really* better than chemical ones?
General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Mineral sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the body, so they may be safer than chemical ones. But when you need sunscreen, any type of sunscreen is better than none. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to avoid skin cancer and visible signs of sun damage. While it’s true that some people have Read more…
Q: Are there more whooping cough cases occurring than normal?
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the first 5 months of 2024, there were nearly 3 times the number of cases reported in the U.S. by this time last year. Cases are also up globally. Make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine! TL; DR: Whooping cough cases are on the rise. Key time points for this vaccine are Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
Uncategorized
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Certain jobs and communities face higher exposure to PFAS (a type of forever chemical) and a higher risk of health impacts. Three jobs with higher exposure to PFAS are: firefighters, ski wax technicians, and chemical manufacturing workers. Communities near facilities that make or use PFAS may also have increased exposure. Those Nerdy Girls recommends caution, Read more…
Nerdy Girls Live 06/17/24 – The Ins and Outs of Cancer Screening
General Health VideosThose Nerdy Girls discuss the ins and outs of cancer screening. Which cancers should you get screened for? What are the pros and cons? Why do screening guidelines keep changing? Hosted by: – Sarah Coles, MD: TNG Contributing Writer, Family physician and Assistant Professor – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled Read more…
This month I’m seeing Pride 🏳️🌈 and Trans 🏳️⚧️ flags everywhere. What is that all about?
Social and Racial Justice
June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. (Pride is celebrated during other months in countries such as Denmark.) 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 Read more…
Are there any updates on COVID-19 we should know about?
COVID Variants Infectious DiseasesElisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
A: Here is what’s new in the realm of COVID-19 right now: In a nutshell: ➡️ There is a new COVID variant family called FLiRT that may lead to an increase in cases this summer. ➡️ Current vaccines will provide some protection against FLiRT variants. ➡️ Data so far does not suggest that FLiRT variants Read more…
Are mineral sunscreens *really* better than chemical ones?
General Health Staying Safe
Daphne Berryhill, RPh
Mineral sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the body, so they may be safer than chemical ones. But when you need sunscreen, any type of sunscreen is better than none. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to avoid skin cancer and visible signs of sun damage. While it’s true that some people have Read more…
Q: Are there more whooping cough cases occurring than normal?
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the first 5 months of 2024, there were nearly 3 times the number of cases reported in the U.S. by this time last year. Cases are also up globally. Make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine! TL; DR: Whooping cough cases are on the rise. Key time points for this vaccine are Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
Uncategorized
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
A: Here is what’s new in the realm of COVID-19 right now: In a nutshell: ➡️ There is a new COVID variant family called FLiRT that may lead to an increase in cases this summer. ➡️ Current vaccines will provide some protection against FLiRT variants. ➡️ Data so far does not suggest that FLiRT variants Read more…
Are mineral sunscreens *really* better than chemical ones?
General Health Staying SafeDaphne Berryhill, RPh
Mineral sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the body, so they may be safer than chemical ones. But when you need sunscreen, any type of sunscreen is better than none. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to avoid skin cancer and visible signs of sun damage. While it’s true that some people have Read more…
Q: Are there more whooping cough cases occurring than normal?
Infectious Diseases Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the first 5 months of 2024, there were nearly 3 times the number of cases reported in the U.S. by this time last year. Cases are also up globally. Make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine! TL; DR: Whooping cough cases are on the rise. Key time points for this vaccine are Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
Uncategorized
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Mineral sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the body, so they may be safer than chemical ones. But when you need sunscreen, any type of sunscreen is better than none. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to avoid skin cancer and visible signs of sun damage. While it’s true that some people have Read more…
Q: Are there more whooping cough cases occurring than normal?
Infectious Diseases VaccinesAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: In the first 5 months of 2024, there were nearly 3 times the number of cases reported in the U.S. by this time last year. Cases are also up globally. Make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine! TL; DR: Whooping cough cases are on the rise. Key time points for this vaccine are Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying Safe
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
Uncategorized
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
A: In the first 5 months of 2024, there were nearly 3 times the number of cases reported in the U.S. by this time last year. Cases are also up globally. Make sure you are up-to-date on this vaccine! TL; DR: Whooping cough cases are on the rise. Key time points for this vaccine are Read more…
How can I keep kids safe around water?
Families/Kids Staying SafeSarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
Uncategorized
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
A: Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get some healthy, fun exercise outdoors and there are simple steps that we can take to protect children from water injury and drowning. Learn CPR, fence off pools, keep a watchful eye on children around water, teach kiddos how to swim, and use life Read more…
2023 TNG Annual Report
UncategorizedSara Gorman, PhD, MPH
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID Treatments
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
It’s hard to believe that Those Nerdy Girls is now four years old! As we continue to grow and expand as a sustainable organization, we are pleased to introduce our first Annual Report. While preparing this overview, we were once again filled with gratitude for your generous support in 2023. Your contributions have been instrumental Read more…
Does Paxlovid reduce the risk of long COVID?
Infectious Diseases Long COVID TreatmentsElisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and Misinformation
Megan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Unfortunately, data is mixed on the usefulness of Paxlovid for the prevention of long COVID. We need more data, including clinical trials that are carefully designed, to evaluate whether or not there is a benefit. Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, refers to lingering symptoms that emerge in some individuals following a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more…
Is vaping better for me than smoking cigarettes?
General Health Uncertainty and MisinformationMegan Reilly, Intern
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious Diseases
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Vaping has not been around long enough to know the long-term health effects, but research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) and regular cigarettes have a lot in common. They both contain nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco products, and people inhale both products to access Read more…
Are there any updates on what’s happening with the current avian flu situation?
Hot Health Topics Infectious DiseasesMK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
Uncategorized
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
This information is up to date as of May 29, 2024 at 12 pm EDT. Here is what’s new and what we know about the current HPAI/H5N1/avian/bird flu situation (We know, we know, how many names can one virus have?! Jeesh! In this post we will call it the avian flu unless quoting another source.) Read more…
It’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month!
UncategorizedMK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/Kids
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
As we wind down this beautiful month of May, we would like to take a moment to highlight Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. People of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries are from approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. These ancestries include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and more. Read more…
Do you know of any resources for educators who want to help kids build skills in identifying and evaluating information this summer?
Data Literacy Families/KidsAmanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
A: Yes! So glad you asked! Tl; DR: The News Literacy Project just released a new (and free!) ‘Camp Fact-Check” kit that is designed to help educators build kids in searching for information, evaluating evidence, and assessing claims. Are you teaching summer school and looking for curriculum ideas that can boost kids skills in news Read more…
Ivermectin – What’s the harm?
Infectious Diseases Staying SafeAndrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious Diseases
Elisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
There is no evidence that ivermectin can prevent or treat COVID-19, and it can cause harm. In the early days of a pandemic when there are no vaccines or treatments, sometimes we look at existing drugs to see if they might be effective against a new virus. This is what happened in 2020 with a Read more…
Two new reported cases of H5N1 in humans
Infectious DiseasesElisabeth Adkins Marnik, PhD
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data Literacy
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
*This information is up to date as of May 22, 2024 Press releases from the CDC and the Victoria, Australia Department of Health were sent out today regarding two new cases of human H5N1 infections. Here is what we know about each case: Michigan, USA Dairy Worker This is the second US case this year Read more…
What are heuristics and why does this matter?
Data LiteracySarah Whitley Coles, MD
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
Vaccines
Megan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Heuristics are fast, efficient mental shortcuts that we use all the time to help us make decisions and solve problems. These rule-of-thumb strategies can decrease our cognitive load to make choices without becoming overwhelmed. Heuristics can be both helpful and harmful so it’s important to recognize when a heuristic might not be such a great Read more…
Five Breakthrough Vaccines in Development
VaccinesMegan Reilly, Intern
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying Safe
Malia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
*World Immunization Week was 24-30 April, 2024 In recognition of World Immunization Week 2024, we’re highlighting five breakthrough vaccines in development that could transform the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown the incredible power of immunization, saving millions of lives. Today, vaccines prevent over 20 Read more…
Is it safe to eat beef, given the avian flu outbreaks in cows?
Infectious Diseases Staying SafeMalia Jones, PhD MPH
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
A: The short answer is probably, but no one really knows. But: we do know that cooking your food properly and practicing good food safety to avoid cross-contamination is always SAFER. Reducing your risk is effective no matter what the risk was in the first place or how badly we understand it, so risk-reduction is Read more…
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental HealthAparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
Nearly 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year. And over half of all people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. This is not just about some of us. It is about all of us. Our mental health is complex and influenced by many factors. Mental Read more…
