When a heat wave arrives, the public health advice follows a familiar script: drink water, watch for heat stroke, check on people with heart or lung conditions. That list saves…
Category: Anthropology
Cyclospora spreads through human waste – so how did it get on food?
The nationwide cyclospora outbreak is very likely a result of sewage contamination in the food supply, according to scientific researchers and public health officials. The parasite’s spread can become a…
Lightning strikes kill thousands globally each year, but for those who survive, the storm is far from over
Every year, an estimated 6,000 to 24,000 people are killed by lightning across the world, and many more are injured. Obviously, there is a wide range in these numbers, and…
The typical gig worker is changing – and struggling more than ever to make ends meet
The next time you call an Uber ride or order food delivery with an app, there’s a good chance that the gig worker you meet is getting government benefits. In…
DIY peptide injections are risky, and people may make serious mistakes when administering them
DIY peptide injections, which promise to boost everything from weight loss and muscle-building to longevity and sexual health, are a high-risk wellness fad that keeps on growing. Health experts have…
First mRNA flu shot approved by FDA bodes well for improving drugs of the future – though a few hurdles remain before mRNA can move beyond vaccines
Vaccines have been reliably and affordably protecting people from diseases worldwide for centuries. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, however, vaccine development was still a long and idiosyncratic process. Traditionally, researchers had…
What is emotional regulation? A child psychologist explains
If you’ve followed mental health topics on TikTok or Instagram lately, you have probably heard the term emotional regulation. But emotional regulation isn’t just a trendy buzzword. It’s a nuanced…
Philadelphia’s failing air quality hits hardest in neighborhoods near industry and highways, where asthma rates soar
Philadelphians who live near industrial land and major roads – those who live in the Port Richmond and Bridesburg neighborhoods along I-95, or the Delaware River port-industrial corridor, for example…
How to do your own online health research like a scientist – a biostatistician’s step-by-step guide
The instinct to “do your own research” when it comes to your health is a good one. The challenge often is not lack of information, but the opposite. People are…
In memory care deserts, senior centers can help close the gap in brain-related healthcare
About 90 miles north of Phoenix, the town of Yarnell nestles atop a winding mountain road. Phoenix, a sprawling city of more than 1.6 million people, has one physician for…
