Republicans in Congress intend to cut about US$880 billion in federal health care spending. One of their primary targets is Medicaid. That government program covers 82 million Americans with health…
Category: Anthropology
Calorie counts on menus and food labels may not help consumers choose healthier foods, new research shows
Knowing the calorie content of foods does not help people understand which foods are healthier, according to a study I recently co-authored in the Journal of Retailing. When study participants…
Nitrous oxide recreational use is linked to brain damage and sudden death − but ‘laughing gas’ is still sold all over the US
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans about the ever-increasing and potentially deadly recreational use of nitrous oxide products, particularly among young people. Marketed with names like “Galaxy…
When doctors don’t believe their patients’ pain – experts explain the all-too-common experience of medical gaslighting
For people with chronic gynecological pain conditions, pain can be constant, making everyday activities like sitting, riding a bicycle and even wearing underwear extremely uncomfortable. For many of these people…
‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism
For many people, grit – the perseverance and passion for long-term goals – is a virtue. It is also a key ingredient in overcoming challenges, achieving success and maintaining resilience.…
Contaminated milk from one plant in Illinois sickened thousands with Salmonella in 1985 − as outbreaks rise in the US, lessons from this one remain true
In 1985, contaminated milk in Illinois led to a Salmonella outbreak that infected hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and caused at least 12 deaths. At the…
Measles could again become widespread as cases surge worldwide
Globally, measles is on the rise across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and parts of Europe. In 2025, North and South America saw 11 times more cases than during…
Worsening allergies aren’t your imagination − windy days create the perfect pollen storm
Evolution has fostered many reproductive strategies across the spectrum of life. From dandelions to giraffes, nature finds a way. One of those ways creates quite a bit of suffering for…
Teachers and librarians are among those least likely to die by suicide − public health researchers offer insights on what this means for other professions
Where you work affects your risk of dying by suicide. For example, loggers, musicians and workers in the oil and gas industries have much higher rates of suicide than the…
The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain
Women make up more than 50% of the population, yet before the 1990s they were largely excluded from health and medical research studies. To try to help correct this imbalance,…
